Remember that MMs also compete against other MMs... this prevents MMs from trying to take the stock to one direction.

When one MM is on the BID/ASK... then that MM can somewhat control the direction.. but only temporarily...... If the MM moves the bid down... there is usually other MMs than will move up the BID or sit with the MM on the bid....

Its important to watch which MM is on the bid and ask....and follow their action throughout the course of the day/week....

As far as E-trade not taking orders........ i have this many times which certain brokers and mostly OTC stocks. Etrade may notice that traders are putting strange orders online....... eg. lots of sells... or alot of traders all putting the same type of order.....