Need ebay help immediately!

[horsegirl]

ok, so I replied to an ebay thread tonight singing the praises of ebay, saying I have never had a prob, and that maybe by the time my first selling attempts end sunday I might be eating crow. Well I didn;t have to wait that long! I just got an email on a $395 bid for a saddle that now they want to buy a different one and can I let them out of their bid on mine! I am inclined to have the auction run its course as the saddle has had nearly 200 hits and has 8 people watching. I was thinking of letting her out of the auction if hers is the high bid and with the understanding that she pay my fees for relisting.....ALso that I would give neg if she did not reimburse my expenses. I am trying from refraining with any lectures to her as she is brand new and has 0 feedback. She has put me in a really crumby position. My question is can you authorize a bid to be taken off? What the h--- should I do? Thanks all you wise and ethical ones!!!!!! I haven't replied back as I am trying to figure out how best to respond. I guess this is why cowgirls get the blues!

 

[jcemom]

If the auction is still on (not ended) I'm pretty sure you can just cancel the bid. I've never done it but my guess would be there's a link somewhere on the auction page...try clicking where it shows you the bids so far.

 

[horsegirl]

Thanks Tracey

Maybe i will consider it, but I am worried about how it will impact the other people watching it, even if I could. It could affect my final sale price- because psychologically those watching might think it odd that the bid is gone.

 

[jennymouse]

If the auction is still running they can retract their own bid if they've changed their mind. Just tell them to retract and bid on the other saddle.

 

[jcemom]

I think it would be much better to 'lose' the bid than it would be to deal with it afterwards. I wouldn't want a winner who didn't want to win. Dealing with non-payment is a pain in the patootie and negatives all around aren't fun either.

Thanks for chiming in Jenifer! I don't know why I didn't think of that, LOL.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

I think it would be much better to 'lose' the bid than it would be to deal with it afterwards. I wouldn't want a winner who didn't want to win. Dealing with non-payment is a pain in the patootie and negatives all around aren't fun either.

I totally agree. And tell her to retract her bid. That way it goes on her record and after more than a few retractions, she will look like the reckless bidder that she probably is. Make them fix their own mistake. They may bid more wisely in the future.

You have to make sure she retracts her bid when there are more than 12 hours left in the auction. If she doesn't retract her bid, I would certainly cancel her bid. And you can do that at any time, even within the 12 hour time frame before the auction ends. No way would I want to deal with a problematic zero feedbacker or any bidder who is creating trouble even before the auction has ended. To me, it is always better to let them get out of it rather than suffer the consequences of irresponsible bidders after the auction ends. Good luck!

 

[horsegirl]

Now that I have researched it bidders cannot retract unless there are one of three exceptions. and when you go to fill out the form you have to choose one of those 3 reasons. So it is impossible for the buyer to retract in this case. I have included ebays rules FYI.

I really appreciate the wisdom of you all, I have contacted her and told her I will cancel. Maybe this is what they call 'baptism by fire' !!!!!!!!

At least I have a few other bids on my auctions. Thanks for helping me sort out this issue!

Ebay bidding retraction rules.

Bid carefully - retractions are rarely allowed

When you are the winning bidder, you are obligated to pay the high-bid price for the item. As a rule, retracting bids is not allowed on eBay.

Remember that all bids on eBay are binding, except:

* Sales of real estate or businesses (see the Non-Binding Bid Policy)
* Sales of items that are prohibited by law or by eBay's User Agreement

Exceptional Circumstances Only

There are, however, a few exceptional circumstances (described in the User Agreement) under which you may retract a bid. These are if:

* You made a typographical error and entered the wrong bid amount. For instance, you bid $99.50 instead of $9.95. If this occurs, re-enter the correct bid amount immediately after you retract your bid. If you do not place another bid, the retraction will be in violation of eBay's policy and could result in your suspension. Please review the retraction guidelines if you need to retract your bid.
* The description of an item you have bid on has changed significantly.
* You can't reach the seller. This means that you tried calling the seller but his or her phone number doesn't work, or you have tried emailing a message to the seller and it comes back undeliverable.
* Someone has bid on an item using your User ID and password.

Timing Matters

There are special rules about retracting bids, depending on when you originally placed the bid.

If you place a bid before the last 12-hours of the listing: You may retract that bid before that last 12-hours, if your situation meets the above description of exceptional circumstances. You will not be allowed to retract that bid during the last 12-hours of the listing.

 

[Ilovestitch]

Yes, there are certain reasons a bidder can retract but that's THEIR problem to worry about, not yours.

They bid on your item and if they changed their mind now, they have to retract it.

 

[tlbwriter]

Now that I have researched it bidders cannot retract unless there are one of three exceptions. and when you go to fill out the form you have to choose one of those 3 reasons. So it is impossible for the buyer to retract in this case. I have included ebays rules FYI.

Yes, and they are routinely ignored by bidders. By cancelling her bid for her, you are teaching her the wrong lesson, IMHO. Don't make it your problem. It's *her* problem.

 

[Stepht5]

I am trying from refraining with any lectures to her as she is brand new and has 0 feedback. She has put me in a really crumby position. My question is can you authorize a bid to be taken off? What the h--- should I do? Thanks all you wise and ethical ones!!!!!! I haven't replied back as I am trying to figure out how best to respond. I guess this is why cowgirls get the blues!

Just an FYI. Most sellers won't accept a bidder with 0 feedback on high ticket items --- in my own personal experience.

Good Luck with the auction!

 

[horsegirl]

Just an FYI. Most sellers won't accept a bidder with 0 feedback on high ticket items --- in my own personal experience.

Good Luck with the auction!

Thanks Steph- Ah the pitfalls of being a tendril neophyte! I considered that when I set the listings up, but I figure with paypal or waiting until absolutely everything clears, I would be okay. I was a new bidder once. But I may change my thoughts if I have more of these.

I took people's advice and took the person's bid off and put bidblocker ont it. Now I can relax. I must be getting old. It didn't really bother me that much. In the old days I would have had steam coming out my ears!!

Now I got an email from someone else asking what my reserve is on my other very expensive item! Do people give that info out? that seems unfair to others and the seller. and why have a reserve? I just emailed back and said I am not comfortable giving that out. Might lose a sale- oh well.

 

[horsegirl]

Yes, and they are routinely ignored by bidders. By cancelling her bid for her, you are teaching her the wrong lesson, IMHO. Don't make it your problem. It's *her* problem.

You are so right, but some other folks felt better to get over with it now than to deal with it once bidding really starts ( I have 8 watching and lots of questions, so I think (hope) I might sell it. Now I don't have to worry about it. There is no way to track how often this happens to folks. You are right it is a wrong lesson for her, but I will let the next person deal with it on a smaller item. If it hadn't been a saddle, which I will take back if it does not fit, I might have been inclined to go through the whole process and get it on her record. But truthfully I don't want her to buy it if she doesn't want it. It'll come back anyway. I stillhave faith in the process! Thanks!

 

[horseshowmom]

I've sold two saddles on ebay and both sales went well (one over $400 - English Crosby Millenium and one about $800 - Circle Y western show saddle). I gave very specific measurements and did not offer to accept a return if it didn't fit. I was just too concerned about someone who either changed their mind or didn't know what they were doing.

However, on the flip side, as a buyer I would certainly appreciate your being willing to take it back!

Good luck with your sales!

P.S. I would have canceled the bid too on a high dollar item. I just want to sell my item and not deal with a hassle. If I cancel it, then I know the problem is gone (even though they created the problem).

 

[horsegirl]

I've sold two saddles on ebay and both sales went well (one over $400 - English Crosby Millenium and one about $800 - Circle Y western show saddle). I gave very specific measurements and did not offer to accept a return if it didn't fit. I was just too concerned about someone who either changed their mind or didn't know what they were doing.

However, on the flip side, as a buyer I would certainly appreciate your being willing to take it back!

Good luck with your sales!

P.S. I would have canceled the bid too on a high dollar item. I just want to sell my item and not deal with a hassle. If I cancel it, then I know the problem is gone (even though they created the problem).

Thanks for letting me know it went well for you. I actually put the shipping charges a little higher to avoid someone just ordering for folly. I think when I put up my western saddles I won't be so willing to take a return, but englsih saddles seem much harder to fit. I just don't want what one of my horses went through once, an ill fitted saddle that hurt his back and made him very uncooperative. I hope my sales go as well as yours!

 

[ZebraStripes]

as the saddle has had nearly 200 hits and has 8 people watching.

I have sort of an unrelated question....can a seller see who exactlywho has looked at an item and who is watching their item? I've always been curious about that as I watch about a zillion items.

 

[tlbwriter]

You are so right, but some other folks felt better to get over with it now than to deal with it once bidding really starts ( I have 8 watching and lots of questions, so I think (hope) I might sell it. Now I don't have to worry about it. There is no way to track how often this happens to folks. You are right it is a wrong lesson for her, but I will let the next person deal with it on a smaller item. If it hadn't been a saddle, which I will take back if it does not fit, I might have been inclined to go through the whole process and get it on her record. But truthfully I don't want her to buy it if she doesn't want it. It'll come back anyway. I stillhave faith in the process! Thanks!

Well, yeah, you've got a point. If you were going to let her return it, there's no reason to sell it to her knowing she would return it. I just hope you let her know you did her a big favor and that other sellers (like, say, me ) wouldn't be so nice!

 

[horsegirl]

I just hope you let her know you did her a big favor and that other sellers (like, say, me ) wouldn't be so nice!

You are alot more saavy than me. I have always been a sucker! Gullible too! But actually I'd be interested in getting thoughts about how to get that message across. Maybe I should email her this thread! I hesitated emailing a nasty gram as I decided to be most professional and just be curt. She actually never emailed me back, and when she still hadn't taken off the bid or responded to my two "very polite" emails, I just canceled the bid myself, without notifying her again. I have actually gotten some questions on the same saddle today from knowledgable horse folks, who appeared very nice. So I'll let you all know how it goes when the auction ends tomorrow night. I'd love to put all the $ onto my WDW parkhopper fund for my ds6, dd5, ds3!

 

[yoopermom]

It's kismet that I caught this thread, since I've been debating selling two saddles (including one Crosby, small world), but am nervous about the fit/return issue. Keep talking and I'll keep learning!
Terri

 

[horsegirl]

It's kismet that I caught this thread, since I've been debating selling two saddles (including one Crosby, small world), but am nervous about the fit/return issue. Keep talking and I'll keep learning!
Terri

Hey Terri

I'll let you know tomorrow night and then if they sell, a few weeks from now. I am hoping my honest fair salesmanship works. If I don't have success, I'll try it one more round and then send them to a saddle consignment shop nearby. They take 25% but they deal with all the "cr.." Could be a nightmare, we'll see.

 

[wendyl]

I have sort of an unrelated question....can a seller see who exactlywho has looked at an item and who is watching their item? I've always been curious about that as I watch about a zillion items.

NO--they can't see who has been watching, only how many have added it to their watch list.