Can an auctioneer withdraw an item in an absolute auction?

In an absolute auction, the auctioneer usually cannot withdraw an item unless no bid has been received in a reasonable time. An absolute auction guarantees that the item will be sold to the highest bidder regardless of the bidding amount. This means that the auctioneer has made a commitment to sell the item, and allowing withdrawals outside of the specified conditions would undermine the integrity of the auction process and the expectations of the bidders.

The rule regarding withdrawal in such auctions helps ensure fairness and transparency, as bidders generally expect that once the auction has started, the items will be sold without interruption. The provision for withdrawing the item only when no bids are received allows for the possibility that circumstances might change, while still maintaining adherence to the overall principles of an absolute auction.