If your seller is cancelling repeatedly, it probably is because they are a new seller or new to using the auction format. eBay's suggestion for new sellers is to start a listing with a low bid price "To encourage bidding". That often does not work well for inexperienced sellers. If you check the seller's feedback profile by clicking on the number in ( ) to the right of their username, on the page that opens click on the As a seller tab, and you will see if they have sold before or not in over a year.
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"If the seller has a reserve, doesn't EBay require them to mark the item as reserve not met?"
eBay, charges a fee to list an auction with a Reserve price. If the auction ends without the reserve being met and is relisted with a reserve they are charged the fee each time it is relisted. Experienced sellers will start an auction at the lowest price they will accept if there is only one bid. That price is in effect their reserve.
"Is there no way to report the seller? EBay only give the option on items that I've actually been able to complete the purchase".
When a seller cancels a transaction they get a defect on their account, in effect reporting themselves. It does not take many defects for a seller to be kicked off the site. They also have to pay the final value fee for the listing. If they give as a reason for cancelling "Buyer requested cancellation, or Problem with address" when the buyer didn't cancel or there is no issue with the address. That can be reported.
- You click on the Resolution Center button at the bottom of most ebay pages.
- On the page that opens, under the The Actions for Buyers header in a small font is;
- Need more help? Learn more about Resolving issues as a seller or Resolving issues as a buyer
- both of those are hot buttons, click > on the as a buyer link.
- Next page > on Reporting an item or issue with a seller
- Next page scroll down to the Report a seller button >
- " " Check either The seller isn't responding... or The seller has violated one of ebay's policies. Then > Continue
- Next page enter the seller's username without their feedback number
- select the closest option or Other.
In the text box type a short message; "The seller is not responding. The seller gave a false reason for cancelling the transaction. Then the exact problem "My address is the same as it always has been, I did not request cancelling the transaction, check my messages".
then hit the submit button. If you paid and didn't receive a refund mention that as well.
If you were sent a refund you can't leave a negative, but you can leave a neutral feedback stating the problem
"THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FOOLPROOF, BECAUSE FOOLS ARE SO DARNED INGENIOUS!" (unknown)
