FAQs
Bidding Equals Commitment
On eBay, placing a bid on an item is equivalent to entering into a contract. By bidding on an item, you obligate yourself to pay for the item if you win it, even if you decide you no longer want it. Only bid on items you are serious about purchasing.
Do I have to sell my items on eBay if the bid is too low? ›
Up until the bidding closes, sellers can cancel any and all bids at their discretion. While eBay has put in place rules requiring selling to the current high bidder if the seller ends an auction early, a seller can cancel all bids and let the auction end at its regular scheduled time without penalty.
How do you respond to winning a bid? ›
A well-structured, winning bid response should include a clear and competitive pricing structure that offers value to the client while ensuring your business remains profitable. It is not about being the cheapest option, but about demonstrating the value the client will gain from investing in your services.
What happens if you win a bid on eBay and don't want the item? ›
What happens if you have the winning bid on an eBay item and you don't want to buy it any more? Either the seller opens an unpaid item case (which will leave a negative strike on your account) or cancel transaction case. Whichever, you need to contact the seller.
Can you back out after winning a bid? ›
If the winning bidder would like to back out after the close of the auction, you can offer the item to the next highest bidder, or close the item as Not Sold.
Can you change your mind after winning an auction? ›
Can you back out after winning an auction? No, buyers who have the winning bid at an auction are legally bound to complete the sale within the pre-disclosed time frame.
Can an eBay seller cancel a winning bid? ›
Unfortunately Ebay can't force a seller to mail the item you won. They do however get charged a fee for cancelling the transaction and they get a strike against their selling account. Too many cancellations and they are bumped off Ebay.
What happens if you don t have enough money for a bid on eBay? ›
The seller gets to relist the item and you will get an unpaid item strike against your account. If you get 2 unpaid item strikes within a 12 month period you won't be able to bid or buy from thousands of seller who have their buyer requirements set to block nonpaying bidders with 2 or more strikes in 12 months.
Can I reject the highest bidder on eBay? ›
Can the seller refuse the highest bid offered if its too low? No. You set the pricing on your auction, so you need to honor the sale to your winning bidder.
How do you respond to a low bid? ›
You can say you are willing to negotiate but you want to hear an offer that is serious. Another avenue is to make a counter-offer that is a price slightly below your asking price, even if it's just $1,000 less. You should reiterate that you are willing to negotiate, but only with serious offers.
You are obliged to complete the purchase
When you click Buy It Now or win an auction, you have entered a legal contract to buy the item. That means you must pay the cost of the item and any delivery or other charges outlined in the listing.
How do you respond to a weak 2 bid? ›
Responding to a weak two bid. If you don't have at least 2 card support, you should pass unless you have 16+ HCP. The general system of responding is called RONF -- Raise (is the) Only Non-Forcing (Bid). If you bid any new suit, you are showing 5+ cards and asking responder to raise with 3 card support.
Can you refuse to pay a winning bid on eBay? ›
Failure to pay for items is a violation of our abusive buyer policy. When a seller cancels an order because the buyer hasn't paid, the unpaid cancellation is recorded on the buyer's account.
What is sniping on eBay? ›
Waiting until the last few seconds of an auction to make a winning bid is known as bid sniping. This tactic is used to try to prevent other bidders from having a chance to place a higher bid before the auction ends.
What happens if you change your mind after winning eBay bid? ›
What happens when the highest bidder changes their mind after they win the auction? It's up to the seller whether to cancel for Buyer Request or wait the 4 calendar days eBay gives buyers to pay and then cancel for non-payment.
What happens if I win a bid and don't pay? ›
You're liable for the deposit on auction day and the rest of the purchase price, plus fees, by the completion deadline (typically 28 days after the auction). If you can't pay the deposit, you may face legal consequences. The auction house and seller can demand that you pay the amount specified in your contract.
What happens if you withdraw a bid? ›
(2) A sale by auction is complete when the auctioneer announces its completion by the fall of the hammer, or in other customary manner; and until the announcement is made any bidder may retract his bid. Once you have withdrawn your bid, the auction will continue with the next highest bidder “in the lead”.
Can a seller cancel an auction after winning? ›
One cannot always tell from the sold or completed item history, if the seller's items being relisted was because they cancelled an auction, or their buyer(s) did not pay, that too happens. A seller cancelling a won auction is not legal by ebay rules or by law.
Are auction bids legally binding? ›
Your Bid or Purchase is a Contract
When you place a bid on an online auction item, you enter into a legally binding contract to purchase the item from the seller if you are the winning bidder. You are the winning bidder if your bid is the highest bid at Auction Close and your bid is accepted by the seller.
