Buzz
Bidding on eBay is often seen as a final decision, but mistakes can occur, and it is entirely possible to retract a bid. Both buyers and sellers have the ability to cancel bids, particularly when both parties agree, and the process can be completed quickly. Below is a guide on how to cancel a bid on eBay.
Steps
Buyer Cancels a Bid
Check how much time is left in the auction. If more than 12 hours remain, you can simply retract your bid.
- As the auction end time approaches, eBay allows you to cancel a bid within 1 hour.
- If you placed a bid within the last hour and there are fewer than 12 hours left in the auction, you may need to contact the seller.
Understand eBay's standard bid retraction policy. If you need to cancel a bid due to a typo or communication issues with the seller, you can use the standard bid retraction form. eBay typically allows bid cancellations for the following reasons:
- Accidental incorrect bid amount: If you mistakenly entered 10,000,000 VND instead of 1,000,000 VND, you can retract the bid and place a new one with the correct amount.
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Significant changes to the auction after placing a bid. You may cancel a bid if the seller alters the item description, condition, or shipping terms.
- Inability to contact the seller. If you have questions about the item but cannot reach the seller via email or phone, you may retract your bid.
If your reason falls under one of the standard categories, fill out the "Bid Retraction Form" on eBay. You’ll need to enter the auction item number and select a retraction reason from the dropdown menu.
- You can find the item number at the top right of the screen, within the “description” section of the listed item, under the “Item Specifics” label.
- Click on "Retract Your Bid" at the bottom of the "Bid History" page. Follow the instructions on each page until you reach the form.
- You can locate the form link on eBay’s help page under “Retracting or Canceling your Bid.”
- If you select “entered wrong amount” as the reason, you’ll be prompted to enter the correct amount.
- Remember to click "Retract Bid" at the end of the form to complete the request.
If you cannot retract the bid using the form, try contacting the seller directly. You can request a bid cancellation, and many sellers may agree to cancel the bid as a goodwill gesture.
- Reach out to the seller as soon as possible, but remember that the final decision to cancel lies with them.
- If the seller refuses to cancel the bid and you win the item, you are legally obligated to complete the purchase.
- This won’t affect your feedback rating, but your profile will show a “bid retraction” record. Frequent retractions may lead sellers to block you from future auctions.
Car and real estate auctions are non-binding. Due to the complexity of these transactions, eBay acknowledges that such auctions do not create a formal contract between buyer and seller.
- While you are not legally bound to complete the purchase, bidding without the intent to buy violates eBay’s policies.
- eBay does not accept “buyer’s remorse” as a valid reason for retraction, but if you face payment issues after winning, you may retract the bid.
Seller Cancels a Bid
Access the "Canceling Bids Placed on Your Listing" page on eBay. Sellers can reach this page via the "Bid History" link on the auction page. Use the provided link to open the “Canceling Bids Placed in Your Auction” form.
Provide a reason for canceling the bid. The form requires a brief explanation of 80 characters or less. Here are some valid reasons:
- The buyer contacted you and requested to retract their bid.
- You cannot verify the buyer’s identity.
- The buyer has received multiple negative feedbacks.
- You do not ship to the buyer’s country.
- You need to cancel the auction.
Complete the form and click on “cancel bid.” You’ll need to enter your username, password, the item number of the auction, and the buyer’s ID whose bid you wish to cancel.
- You can find the item number at the top right of the “description” section, just above the rectangular “Item Specifics” label.
- The bidder’s ID is listed next to their bid amount.
Tips
- To cancel a request you’ve submitted in the "Buy It Now" or "Best Offer" listings, use the Best Offer Cancellation form, accessible from the item description page.
