So I’m running an auction for a lot of Absolute Batman books and I just had someone ask me how much would I take for them. How would you handle that situation, I would feel like a scumbag canceling the auction like that. Is this even allowed?
I would be polite, but make the prospective buyer give you the number he is thinking. Then go from there. I personally never respond with a figure if asked.
Also if you have a reserve set, they may be fishing for that number.
If there are bids, I’d say keep the auction going to honor the people who are bidding.
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No bids = okay to cancel if you want
Bids = should not cancel
That’s my opinion.
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They are thinking it will go for more than they want to pay. And if you cancel the auction, there is no guarantee they will follow through with the purchase anyway. There are plenty of other buy it now listings out there. The fact they haven’t just bought those means they want to try an low ball you.
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Good points. Maybe just tell them, go ahead and bid, you might actually snag for under your top dollar price you’re willing to spend on them.
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Thanks for the info, I’m just gonna keep the auction going.
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Yes, you can cancel a live eBay auction but the method and fees depend on whether bids have been placed and how much time remains. If no bids exist, it can be cancelled without penalty. With bids, you must cancel all bids first, or you may be charged a fee.
Key Rules for Canceling Auctions:
- Over 12 Hours Left: You can end the listing early. If bids are present, you may be charged a final value fee based on the highest bid.
- Under 12 Hours Left: You can only end the auction if you sell to the current high bidder, or if there are no bids.
- Procedure: Go to your active listings, select “End listing”, and cancel any active bids first to avoid selling to the high bidder.
- Risks: Regularly ending auctions early can lead to account restrictions or penalties.
Morale issues aside, technically you can be charged a fee and eBay may impose restrictions on you if bids have already started.
IF you felt it was in your best interest, I would not end anything until receipt of payment. That would likely mean creating a second BIN auction and having the person purchase it. Otherwise (as mentioned above) they may just be stringing you along and never had any intention of buying. They may even have a competing auction or items where having yours terminated benefits them.
Bottom line, seems like a lot of work/risk to take on, and likely. Little to no benefit other than less boxes to ship perhaps. You likely will get more selling individually than as a lot.
I never really sell at auction. But if you have bids, as shown, you have to let it ride out. Tell him to place his best offer bid on the auction. If he wins he wins. Who knows he could maybe even get it cheaper. I doubt that but it is a possibility.
But it does sound like he is going to low ball you
Shipped out a package last week but post office is really delayed after that big snowstorm. I’m still getting delivery exceptions due to weather on my incoming packages. I guess was scheduled to arrive yesterday but it didn’t (still in transit) and today buyer opened item not received case. You’d think they’d at least reach out first right? Tracking info is readily available.
I sent them a message explaining the situation. No response from them so far.
You have done what you can at this point. Keep replying if they send you anything.
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This is the message they added when opening the case. It’s been 6 business days since they purchased lol. Def just after the money. Ridiculous.
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Ridiculous is right.
6 days with evidence of P/O valid delay via the tracking?
Definitely a product of the “I want it and I want it now” club.
Unbelievable
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That sucks. I bought some books from a comic shop on eBay who took an entire week before they even shipped. Was I annoyed? Yes. Did I open a case? No.
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That would require human interaction and people skills. Essentially a minimal amount of effort.
Social media and apps make it way to easy to make instant judgements, hide behind a device and remove oneself from what “used to be” common courtesy.
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As I’ve been very clear with my children, “‘I Want” doesn’t “Get”.
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I have got a big one brewing, but I’m going to wait until it is all resolved before I go into details.
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Uh oh. Do you need a spoon?
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I actually just averted a huge crisis that would’ve been really bad, but thank God I was able to present the information correctly to avoid it
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