I disagree with you. Buying at the bid (as listed on L2) happens all the time. That might be some MM's ask though, as they do not have to post their bids and offers if they choose not to. I've bought plenty of stocks at the showing bid price. Happens all the time bud. Manipulation?? You bet. They can run this up a penny or two day in and day out. It's the market. No body is making waves over it.
Remember, it is just a fee and a profit from a spread for them. They could care less if we are undervalued, overbought, oversold, pink or purple. It's just a generation of fees and profits.