auction cancelled on me

[stet]

I'm not sure how I feel about this now. I put in a "play" bid on a Koni Omega set (all four lenses, bunches of backs, ground glass back, all CLA'd by Greg Weber). I totally expected that I would be outbid -- I put up $325, just to participate. Before I went to work I noticed I was still up there, and was wondering if I might make it becuase of the weekend.

I just got an e-mail saying the seller has cancelled all bids and the auction, and apparently my bid still was highest.

Like I said, it was a play bid. In my fantasizing today, I imagined winning, getting the two lenses I don't have, and divvying up the rest of my cheap find with members here. But now that I see my bid as still highest, I feel cheated.

Has this happened to anyone here before? I don't even think I feel like fighting it, but I do want to send a PM to the guy.

Bah. I dunno, I shouldn't let this sour my mood, but it is.

http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&item=7551592729

Item No. 7551592729

 

[the lobster]

That is unfortunate. Many things could have happened- he got offered a good deal and took it, it sold in his shop, he had seller's remorse.

There is no guarantee that you'll get the real answer or even a reply, but go ahead and send an email. Can't hurt to ask.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

A seller may cancel all bids and cancel the auction at anytime. Cheaper than a reserve, and Ebay keeps the listing fee. I have had sellers do that when the item did not get high enough for their liking. I do not like it, that is what reserve auctions are for. Avoid sellers that do that. On an auction with a reserve, canceling the auction BEFORE it has reached its reserve is reasonable. The buyer does not expect to win with the bid as placed.

 

[jan normandale]

Everyone feels cheated when they play by the known rules and then lose when someone pulls out the contract with the fine print and the games start. You got sucked in okay. Don't blame you for feeling that way I would too.

Having been there I can only say a couple of things, if you really want it, send the vendor a PM saying you will still buy at the price you bid. You might get lucky. The other tack I have found necessary, is to walk entirely away and remember the vendors name.

 

[JoeFriday]

I'd say it's almost certain that the seller got an offer by someone saying "I'll pay you this much if you cancel the auction right now" and he went for it

 

[ch1]

I'm not sure how I feel about this now. I put in a "play" bid on a Koni Omega set (all four lenses, bunches of backs, ground glass back, all CLA'd by Greg Weber). I totally expected that I would be outbid -- I put up $325, just to participate. Before I went to work I noticed I was still up there, and was wondering if I might make it becuase of the weekend.

I just got an e-mail saying the seller has cancelled all bids and the auction, and apparently my bid still was highest.

Like I said, it was a play bid. In my fantasizing today, I imagined winning, getting the two lenses I don't have, and divvying up the rest of my cheap find with members here. But now that I see my bid as still highest, I feel cheated.

Has this happened to anyone here before? I don't even think I feel like fighting it, but I do want to send a PM to the guy.

Bah. I dunno, I shouldn't let this sour my mood, but it is.

http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&item=7551592729

Item No. 7551592729

I do not know how "experienced" you are with eBay but please always remember - it is a SELLER'S auction/listing site. It is a true marketplace where "Caveat Emptor" rules apply!

I both buy and sell on eBay and can assure you that the tools available to sellers are designed to ensure that they can control their listings. I have an item listed right now that received a bid from a buyer I am not comfortable with. I both cancelled his bid and "blocked" him (at least his ID) from ever bidding on anything I ever list again!

These are the tools available to sellers - and there are others.

BTW: This is NOT unfair.

The seller is paying all of the fees to both list on eBay (upfront fee) and also a commission to eBay if the item sells (variable based on selling price). So, since I as a seller am carrying all the costs (and they are quite "pricey") you are darned sure I want to control my sale.

Sorry you got "bounced". But after all, as you yourself said, it was a "play" bid. And after all, you could have just used the "Watch This Item" if you just wanted to see how much it sold for! 😀

 

[bobofish]

There's a note at the bottom of the listing that he apparently added. It says:

"Well everyone I've come to the conclusion that I've already somewhat doomed the auction and made it very bidder unfriendly by not having pictures up, no shipping price info (I couldn't find time), by not having cla reciepts readily available, and by being generally disorganized. There's just so many different pieces in the set that I have trouble just keeping track of it all. For this reason I'm going to end the auction early, get organized and relist the equipment, albeit in a slightly different form. I will have pictures on ebay as well as many others on a free server which will be linked; I'll take even more than I have now so everyone can have a much closer look. I also will have all my other photography items listed, just in case you might be interested in them as well. It should be on by next Friday or Saturday (21 or 22) Hope everyone will stick around to bid on it. Sorry for the trouble. Hope to see your bids again next week..Enjoy the beautiful fall weather. Scott"

I'd PM him and express your interest in the item. Likely he saw that he was unlikely to get the price he wanted, so you could also hedge your bets by either making an offer, or asking what he wants for it. All you have to lose is an email, right?

 

[jan normandale]

All a seller has to do is put up a reserve. That is NOT unfair. The Ebay market is intended to be a transactional marketplace not a fishing expedition. So real sellers can use the tools you mention (ie reserve). I think the vendors that retract are questionable. I have put in play bids knowing I am prepared to close if my bid is high bid. Auctions are all about bids and selling.

I have problems with auctions and prefer actual retailers , I get a warranty and a 'place of business' so I know there is a way to deal with after sale issues.

 

[stet]

well, I e-mailed him, but I don't expect anything of it.

To clarify something, although it was a "play bid," I wouldn't hesitate to honor it had I won. That's actually how I won a KO 60mm lens a few weeks ago. The seller, however, probably will not honor the true outcome of his auction. Maybe it's not unfair becuase the rules allow it, but it's crappy. A bad way to do business.

Copake_ham, I don't do a lot of eBay business, just here and there and only as a buyer. But what you say about the buyer footing all the fees -- that's wrong. Fees always are passed on to the final consumer. In an auction like this, I would guess the seller is trying to sell his gear for a good price and avoid paying eBay for the access, whether by going off-eBay or using no reserve and a low starting price. No seller there is "carrying" costs of a listing; they're figuring it into their overhead. Normal commerce.

Anyway, I'm over it. I let my blood pressure rise for no reason; I have the camera already and was only sweating one lens and some accessories. Still, the situation sucks. I will wait to see his response, but I don't like this "option," or sellers who exploit it.

 

[stet]

so I looked up the page on ending an auction early and found this:

Note: Sellers are not permitted to cancel bids and end listings early in order to avoid selling an item that did not meet the desired sale price. This is considered to be reserve fee circumvention. Although there are legitimate reasons for ending a listing early, abuse of this option will be investigated.

I also got a reply from the seller asking what my high bid was, because he couldn't see it. He asked if it was over $300 because the price at the time he canceled it was low.

Part of me wants to fight for this. But only part of me.

Maybe I'm just too bored at work. But I don't like people getting over on me either.

EDIT: Gah. Ne'ermind this post; I'm off a day, and he did cancel well before the 12-hour mark. I probably would've been outbid in that time. (I honestly thought he ended within seconds of the auction.) But i still think it's lame to pull your auction because it's not going your way, and will probably suggest he utitlizes the reserve option.

 

[ch1]

All a seller has to do is put up a reserve. That is NOT unfair. The Ebay market is intended to be a transactional marketplace not a fishing expedition. So real sellers can use the tools you mention (ie reserve). I think the vendors that retract are questionable. I have put in play bids knowing I am prepared to close if my bid is high bid. Auctions are all about bids and selling.

I have problems with auctions and prefer actual retailers , I get a warranty and a 'place of business' so I know there is a way to deal with after sale issues.

First off, except for extraordinary reasons, retracting an eBay bid is B.S.

If you want it - bid on it. If you're "just interested" then do a "Watch this Item". And I'll tell you this....if you now have a reputation for "Retracting Bids" then yes, you will get "shut out" by seller's who are "on to you".

cBay. is a transactional marketplace...and you are expected to be serious. I work in the financial markets. If a buyer like you tried to reneg on a bid/accepted offer they would soon be out of business. Know what you're doing and do what you know.

As to your whine about reserve prices. Well, you have to consider the fact that there is an additional fee for a Reserve Price, as with everything else intended to aid eBay sellers.

Nowadays nothing on eBay is a "freebie" for sellers!. They even charge you a dime if you want to pick which day/time for your listing to commence!

Consider this ... there are now multiple prices for how many pictures you want to post. Only the first one is "free" - whereas a year or two ago you got six picture "freebies". Why do you think you see less pics on listings now than a year or so ago?

Also, now, if you want a pic next to your general listing - that too is an additional fee.

And you know those "up front and special listings" you see? They're $20 per...

Oh, and on the sale point, if you want to accept PayPal (which I , BTW, insist upon because of too many "deadbeat bidders" like you in the past), they take another 5%from your selling price.

Selling on eBay is expensive - but still, generally, effective. But they may have begun to "milk the cow" a little too dry. We'll see.

Perhaps unbeknowst to you, there is a bit of a "war" going on right now b/w eBay and sellers. Little private seller folks like me are immaterial. But the big "e-tailers" are beginning to rebel by, amongst other things, trying to direct sales to their own websites etc.

If not for being a "deadbeat bidder" maybe that's what happened to you?

Either way, if you consider Retracting a Bid to be a regular option then you do not belong on eBay! No one wants an auction participant who doesn't have the balls to follow through on his bid! A marketplace is intended to bring serious buyers and seller together - not provide amusement for "players"!

Oh (though I doubt you'll do so) could you tell me your eBay ID so I can put a "block" on you?

 

[stet]

huh? Jan said that sellers who retract are questionable. You're the only one who's talked about a bidder being "just interested" and retracting his bid. I really have no idea where the deadbeat bidders came into this thread, either.

 

[ch1]

huh? Jan said that sellers who retract are questionable. You're the only one who's talked about a bidder being "just interested" and retracting his bid. I really have no idea where the deadbeat bidders came into this thread, either.

Firsly, sellers cannot "retract" bids because Sellers never make "bids".

They present "ask" prices to which buyers present "bids".

Only buyers make "bids".

Therefore, only Buyers can "retract bids".

This is simple logic.

In most auctions, a seller can remove an item from sale at any time until the auction is closed (for which he will still owe the auctioneer any fees etc. due for providing the marketplace venue).

This, BTW, is a ancient auction rule which, among other things, forms the basis of Article I of the Universal Commercial Code (UCC) (a codification of commercial law that used in the United States of America by adoption by each of the separate States and generally incorporated into individual State law)

eBay generally follows traditional auction rules - but may, as can any auctioneer (under the provisions of Article I of the UCC), set alternative rules - so long as they are published and generally known.

There really is a "system" at work here.

So, I still fail to understand the actual complaint of the originator of this thread. If you want to bid on an item - be prepared to pay and understand that the seller can end the auction early w/o sale. And, I can assure you that, unlike eBay, if you go to a "live" auction and try to retract a bid - you will be quickly escorted out the door.

That's life - get over it!

 

[derevaun]

if you now have a reputation for "Retracting Bids" then yes, you will get "shut out" by seller's who are "on to you"...

If a buyer like you tried to reneg on a bid/accepted offer they would soon be out of business...

Oh, and on the sale point, if you want to accept PayPal (which I , BTW, insist upon because of too many "deadbeat bidders" like you in the past), they take another 5%from your selling price....

If not for being a "deadbeat bidder" maybe that's what happened to you...

Either way, if you consider Retracting a Bid to be a regular option then you do not belong on eBay...

Oh (though I doubt you'll do so) could you tell me your eBay ID so I can put a "block" on you?

Smokin'! But maybe you misread what JN's post said?

I have put in play bids knowing I am prepared to close if my bid is high bid.

I'm not a big time Ebay insider, but I do recall that "close" means pay up, close the deal. However you derived deadbeat bidder from that, it was a spectacular show.

 

[jan normandale]

I think you have gone a long way from where this started. All I said is I like dealing with retailers because of all the issues that have been raised in this thread. If you want to block bidders that is your option.

Have a nice day.

 

[ch1]

Quote:
Originally Posted by copake_ham
if you now have a reputation for "Retracting Bids" then yes, you will get "shut out" by seller's who are "on to you"...

If a buyer like you tried to reneg on a bid/accepted offer they would soon be out of business...

Oh, and on the sale point, if you want to accept PayPal (which I , BTW, insist upon because of too many "deadbeat bidders" like you in the past), they take another 5%from your selling price....

If not for being a "deadbeat bidder" maybe that's what happened to you...

Either way, if you consider Retracting a Bid to be a regular option then you do not belong on eBay...

Oh (though I doubt you'll do so) could you tell me your eBay ID so I can put a "block" on you?

Smokin'! But maybe you misread what JN's post said?



I'm not a big time Ebay insider, but I do recall that "close" means pay up, close the deal. However you derived deadbeat bidder from that, it was a spectacular show.

What!

You selectively redacted my comments to suit youralterntive argument and called it a quote.

That is BS.

What I said is that in "real" marketplaces such as the stock or bond markets - if a buyer tried to "retract a bid" they would quickly be out of business.

eBay is actually a "pussycat" of a marketplace (and too often functions as a retail store). On the "Steet" your word is your bond and if your bid offer is accepted you damned well better pony up the settlement!

How the heck do you think real auction markets work!

Please don't ever "edit" my remarks. If you want to quote - be honest and show the entire post. Elsewise, just ignore me!

 

[f/stopblues]

copake, I think what's being said is that there was *never* mention of the buyer or seller retracting any bids at any point. There's no "deadbeat bidder", in fact just the opposite. He was prepared to close, or pay for the auction when it ended and he won. You may need to reread the original post or something.. The only complaint was that an auction was ended early by the seller and the buyer, stet, had a bid in. He felt cheated initially cause the auction was never allowed to end. Clear as mud?

 

[Trius]

Yes, copake, you need to re-read Jan's original post, plus the preceding posts. This is NOT about retracting a bid, not at all. It is about a seller cancelling a listing before the close of the auction.

Re-reading the original posts and restating your thoughts might be helpful to all.

Trius

 

[wierdcollector]

Hi Copake,
I use "ramblerfixer" when bidding on eBay. Please block me as I don't wish to accidentally bid on one of your items. Any seller who feels bid retraction is a sin (you might have accidentally added one too many zeros to your bid, wrong decimal place, etc.) should also realise that reserve fee circumvention is not allowable anyway. You can't bellyache about "whiner" bidders then cry about poor you for having to pay the actual fees you're supposed to owe. As I said, block me because lately I've seen waaaaayy too many whining sellers, not bidders. There will always be another seller willing to play by the rules .

 

[johne]

Where goes the site? Just a comment.
johne