Why would they take no bids within the last 24 hours
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2487913168&catego ry=34206

If you are seriously considering bid on this item, please make your bid prior to 1 day / 24 hours until auction end. All bids received after this time may not be considered valid. If you have an issue hampering you from making a bid within the time specified, please contact us directly to clarify your intent to bid. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Pretty sure that's against eBay rules.

Is "they" "you"?

What is your intent with this odd, unilateral contract revision?

Because the sleazebag will pull the auction if it's not getting bids. He wants to avoid a sniper coming in and grabbing it for the opening bid. Basically, he wants the benefits of an auction without the risk.

If I saw an auction like that, I would assume he's just using Ebay to get attention. If I really wanted the item, I'd e-mail him an offer. I'm sure he would have no moral compunctions about cancelling the auction.

It's to defuse the automated bidding services which base their actions on the auction's scheduled end.