Hate when this happens...seller lists an auction and cancels it near the end

gameusedhoop · July 25, 2011 8:33PM

If you're going to list auction style, then let the auction run it's course! I would think that overall you lose more customers this way than if you let it run and lose a couple bucks. You never know how many snipes are set or how much they are for when bailing on an auction.

Bid retraction and cancellation history

Bidder Action / Explanation Date of Bid and Retraction
Bidder o***d Cancelled: US $25.01
Explanation: The seller ended the listing early and cancelled all bids. Bid: Jul-20-11 10:20:37 PDT
Cancelled: Jul-25-11 16:54:09 PDT
Bidder n***f Cancelled: US $10.66
Explanation: The seller ended the listing early and cancelled all bids. Bid: Jul-22-11 07:31:16 PDT
Cancelled: Jul-25-11 16:54:09 PDT
Bidder a***r Cancelled: US $18.00
Explanation: The seller ended the listing early and cancelled all bids. Bid: Jul-22-11 19:23:20 PDT
Cancelled: Jul-25-11 16:54:09 PDT

bobbyw8469 · July 25, 2011 8:48PM

How much was the item REALLY worth, and how much had it been bid up to? Maybe he got an offer outside of Ebay? While buyers like to get super steals, sometimes sellers don't wish to see their items sell for peanuts.....

TheBusiness · July 25, 2011 9:03PM

<< Maybe he got an offer outside of Ebay? >>

Most likely scenario.

Ebay allows you to cancel an auction with bids as long as there are (I believe) 24+ hours remaining before auction close. Better that than him letting someone win the auction and refusing to complete the sale.

gameusedhoop · July 25, 2011 9:03PM

Hard to tell what it was really worth, as it was a couple hockey sets with a few graded cards. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth when a seller puts up a 7 day auction with no reserve and bails after 6+ days. If you need a certain amount either put that as your minimum bid or list it as a BIN with BO. Don't waste a buyers time and tie up his $$ for 6 days.

TheBusiness · July 25, 2011 9:17PM

<< Hard to tell what it was really worth, as it was a couple hockey sets with a few graded cards. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth when a seller puts up a 7 day auction with no reserve and bails after 6+ days. If you need a certain amount either put that as your minimum bid or list it as a BIN with BO. Don't waste a buyers time and tie up his $$ for 6 days. >>

Somebody is probably making him good offers to sell outside of ebay and avoid their ridiculous fees. If he let the auctions run their course, everyone who bid and didn't win would have wasted their time anyway. With a day left, there's no telling what could happen with the bidding. Do yourself a favor and don't bid until the last day if you don't want your money tied up.

Ironmanfan · July 25, 2011 9:20PM

seller was playing within the rules of eBay and he/she can't be faulted for that

i think this has happened to all of us at one time or another (occupational hazard)

IMF

bobbyw8469 · July 25, 2011 10:14PM

I don't know if this would help or not, but sometimes if I want an item really badly and see that it is really cheap, I would throw a semi-aggressive bid out there just so the seller won't get spooked into think his item is going to sell for peanuts. A seller doesn't like seeing his $900 card sitting at $50 as the hours are ticking down. That might or might not prevent him from getting cold feet and letting them know that I am serious. Sometimes it works - sometimes it doesn't. Not that it would have mattered in this instance, since you say it is hard to tell what the item is worth.

itzagoner · July 25, 2011 10:27PM

i've had the rug pulled out a few times, and the items were pretty darn appealing so i can only assume that the sellers pulled the items based on fear of poor performance, but i won't change my bidding habits to accomodate anyone.

for every auction that gets pulled too soon there are dozens that ride to the finish and i lose most of those, too.

gameusedhoop · July 25, 2011 10:51PM

<< for every auction that gets pulled too soon there are dozens that ride to the finish and i lose most of those, too >>

That's basically my point. It would most likely seek it's own level and it "value" is only what someone would pay.

If you are afraid of something going for lower than you want, set a minimum bid. Or, if you are not sure, do the Best Offer thing. The seller has not made a fan in me, and at least 3 others that have already placed bids. It'll most likely cost him more in the long run than possibly losing a few bucks now.

cards651 · July 25, 2011 11:08PM

I have seen this happening more as well. As someone noted, an occupational hazard. However, pulling auctions is one way to fight the snipe bids if you do not approve of snipe bidding. Sellers are able to see how many people are watching. Lots of watchers and no bids could be a sign of snipe bids waiting to fire. Just a thought. Not sure if this is really the case. - Kevin M.

miconelegacy · July 25, 2011 11:28PM

I have been doing more off Ebay than on Ebay over the last several weeks. I would say 90% of Sellers are willing to do this.

Some really good deals to be made done off the Bay. I really don't care if it is right or wrong, because as a Buyer, my job is to get the best deal possible.

bishop · July 25, 2011 11:43PM

At this point I collect mostly unissued or limited issue Topps items. I usually always bid by snipes. My problem with pulled auctions is usually sellers who pull the item to sell off line after being contacted via a "question". I guess they do it to avoid some fees or because the seller does not know or underestimates what was likely to happen at the end of the auction. I can see why sellers get nervous near the end with a valuable item up and only minor bids until the end .

If an item comes up I really need/want and I am worried about off line offers ( I usually know the likely buyers), I contact the seller and tell him I am going to be a late bidder and to please not sell off line. That way, if they get an off line offer, they sometimes at least let me know if they are considering one. I realize a seller can make up such an offer, but it does not matter to me since I always know what I am willing to pay for an item in a straight sale

swartz1 · July 26, 2011 12:28AM

hate it also, but these are the times...

what you cant hate, is that ebay allows it...

it'll pop up again sometime...

itzagoner · July 26, 2011 1:03AM

<< hate it also, but these are the times...

what you cant hate, is that ebay allows it...

it'll pop up again sometime... >>

"Hello, I am Big Potato and I would very much like to buy this item."

"Oh wow, hi Big Potato, I'm Little Potato and I'm honored by your inquiry, but I am intent on getting the most for this item."

"I will offer you $xxx.xx, I think this is a fair offer in the current market."

"Sounds great Big Potato. Let me cancel all these bids from prospective buyers who might be trigger happy the night my auction ends. Here's my PayPal address."

one week later.....

"Hello and welcome to Big Potato auctions. Up for bid, an item rarely seen on eBay........"

miconelegacy · July 26, 2011 1:17AM

99% of the off Ebay deals I make have been Buy it Now's.

I think if a Seller accepts an off Ebay deal when the item has been up with a bunch of bids, that is not okay. I don't agree with that. But off Ebay with Buy it Now's.... Game on!

KbKards · July 26, 2011 1:18AM

If you are afraid of something going for lower than you want, set a minimum bid. Or, if you are not sure, do the Best Offer thing. The seller has not made a fan in me, and at least 3 others that have already placed bids. It'll most likely cost him more in the long run than possibly losing a few bucks now.

The seller could have gotten nervous with the low bids and might have shut it down to relist it like that in the future. It's a lot more likely that somebody contacted him an offer high enough over the current bid and he couldn't resist the temptation to end the auction and sell. You might want to play the same game and contact the seller with your best offer hoping it will up his current offer, or just screw with him and throw out an absurd number "you would have paid" to maybe get him to back out of selling it a second time. If he then relists it you might have less competition buying it.

bobbyw8469 · July 26, 2011 1:24AM

<< "Hello and welcome to Big Potato auctions. Up for bid, an item rarely seen on eBay........" >>

LOL!!!!!

dontippet · July 26, 2011 2:24AM

<< I have been doing more off Ebay than on Ebay over the last several weeks. I would say 90% of Sellers are willing to do this.

Some really good deals to be made done off the Bay. I really don't care if it is right or wrong, because as a Buyer, my job is to get the best deal possible. >>

If your "job" is to get the best deal possible, and you don't care if it's right or wrong, why not just shoplift? That would be, by far, the cheapest way to obtain items.

gameusedhoop · July 26, 2011 2:27AM

<< Big Potato auctions >>

You must have been watching. The seller who bailed was Big Potato Auctions.

cards651 · July 26, 2011 3:00AM

<< 

<< I have been doing more off Ebay than on Ebay over the last several weeks. I would say 90% of Sellers are willing to do this.

Some really good deals to be made done off the Bay. I really don't care if it is right or wrong, because as a Buyer, my job is to get the best deal possible. >>

If your "job" is to get the best deal possible, and you don't care if it's right or wrong, why not just shoplift? That would be, by far, the cheapest way to obtain items. >>

My thoughts exactly....

miconelegacy · July 26, 2011 5:23AM

That's really funny. More sad individual responses. Shoplifting is a crime and comletely immoral. Buying a card or cards off Ebay is not.

You got a good shot and play on the words, good for you!!! Now you won't have to drink your V8 juice...

cards651 · July 26, 2011 6:03AM

micron - I do not mean it as an insult and I am not implying I am perfect by any means. However, if we collectively work to skirt rules, regulations, taxes, etc., where will we be? Compare card collecting to 20 years ago. You couldn't even find a fraction of the cards that you can now find with a few keystrokes thanks to the internet and eBay. Yes, eBay fees seem high but you are paying for the market that they have helped to create. If you want to avoid the various fees, that is your decision but if you proclaim it publicly, you should not be surprised if others call you out on it. Good luck with your collecting pursuits. - Kevin M.

dontippet · July 26, 2011 6:09AM

<< micron - I do not mean it as an insult and I am not implying I am perfect by any means. However, if we collectively work to skirt rules, regulations, taxes, etc., where will we be? Compare card collecting to 20 years ago. You couldn't even find a fraction of the cards that you can now find with a few keystrokes thanks to the internet and eBay. Yes, eBay fees seem high but you are paying for the market that they have helped to create. If you want to avoid the various fees, that is your decision but if you proclaim it publicly, you should not be surprised if others call you out on it. Good luck with your collecting pursuits. - Kevin M. >>

Thanks for the response. I couldn't have said it better myself. In my opinion, the only difference between cheating ebay of their fees and shoplifting is the severity of the civil consequences if one gets caught.

KbKards · July 26, 2011 6:11AM

A lot of Ebay sellers have been in business longer than Ebay. Many have a website, do mail order and shows, maybe a shop, and sell cards to people any way they contact them. As a buyer if you don't care what you pay for something then click away at the BIN and Paypal buttons. If you want a better deal, or the best deal, then there are ways to get that done...all perfectly legal, unlike the genius suggesting you shoplift. The cheapest way to get something is when the seller doesn't have to pay any fees to sell something. A nice discount and the money saved from not having to pay Ebay fees or Paypal fees can all be passed along to the intelligent buyer brave enough to contact the seller off Ebay. There's obviously times this might not be wise, but when dealing with reputable sellers you're throwing money away if you don't.

dontippet · July 26, 2011 6:29AM

<< A lot of Ebay sellers have been in business longer than Ebay. Many have a website, do mail order and shows, maybe a shop, and sell cards to people any way they contact them. As a buyer if you don't care what you pay for something then click away at the BIN and Paypal buttons. If you want a better deal, or the best deal, then there are ways to get that done...all perfectly legal, unlike the genius suggesting you shoplift. The cheapest way to get something is when the seller doesn't have to pay any fees to sell something. A nice discount and the money saved from not having to pay Ebay fees or Paypal fees can all be passed along to the intelligent buyer brave enough to contact the seller off Ebay. There's obviously times this might not be wise, but when dealing with reputable sellers you're throwing money away if you don't. >>

But, again, this is all against ebay rules. It is not perfectly legal as you suggest. And I am not suggesting that the individual shoplifts, just like I am not suggesting that they do deals outside of ebay.

Yes, I agree that it is easy to break ebay's rules, but that does not make it right. Ebay provides a service. Ebay is a great place for buyers and sellers to hook up, but at a cost. Why do people think that they should be able to use a service without paying for it? I am really surprised that people here are arguing that what they are doing is the right thing to do based on the fact that they are saving money. Just because it is beneficial to both parties does not make it right.

miconelegacy · July 26, 2011 6:47AM

Yeah what KB said,so there!!!

In all seriousness. Because the model with cards and EBay has gone to the extent with what 90% Buy It Now's, we as collector's, Buyer's, and Seller's have to negotiate.

Because Auctions are not what they were even 2 years ago, a different approach has to be taken. Remember off EBay sales benefits both parties. I get it for a lower price, and the Seller doesn't have to pay 10% or so in fees. It goes on all the time. This is nothing new. If there is a system that is put on place to stop off EBay transactions, then we will look for yet another way to get the best deal.

That's the Buyer's point of view, and half if not most of you reading this have done an off EBay deal. If you haven't or won't that's fine, we the buyer's are just getting our cards at lower than VCP price.

Look, with the economy the way it is, the Gov't can't make a good decision or any at all(hope they do in next couple days), unemployment levels rising again... I have to take care of me and my family. I am doing nothing wrong, illegal, or immoral. The Sellers love anyone willing to pay a fair value for there cards because we spend serious coin each month.

If your not selling off EBay, you might want to start before the curveball gets thrown.

I have no problem proclaiming it publicly. I was simply stating a trend that is occurring that I and many on here choose to take part in. There is nothing wrong with it until something is put in place to stop it.

Again I'll say the same as I always do..."If it's not hurting anyone financially, physically, immorally or emotionally, I'm playing the game"

The money will be made and is being made through paypal. You still have to pay fees when your invoicing. And EBay isn't hurting, there stock(which I own), was up 1.83% today. Paypal is a huge money maker for them. They hit over 100 million users back at the end of June. I bought a deal for $2100 and paid an additional $61 in fees. But that was configured in the deal. If I had hit the Buy it now I would have paid $2700 for both items. What would you have done??

Couple negotiations through email, agree on price, invoice sent, paid, shipped.

Just a different way, some of you may not like it, but I don't like the overpriced BIN's. So I won't buy them. This trend has been going on for a long time. I'm just not afraid to tell it like it is and worry about someone else's opinion of my buying techniques.

Good luck to you however you buy or sell. At the end of the day all I care about is that both parties are happy with the transaction. Isn't that what really matters, the seller getting what they want, and the Buyer getting it for a fair price?

dontippet · July 26, 2011 7:00AM

Just because everybody does it does not make it right.

Just because ebay has plenty of money already does not make it right.

I absolutely understand what you are saying and it is sad that you have convinced yourself that what you are doing is not wrong, illegal, or immoral.

This is my last post in this thread.

miconelegacy · July 26, 2011 7:04AM

Not convinced, Fact.

You sound like a smart guy and I am quite confident you know what the definition of insanity is?

Hope your not expecting...

miconelegacy · July 26, 2011 7:16AM

So I'm in Wal Mart the other night picking up a few things and decided to get another TV for my bedroom and put that one in the kids Playroom. Picked out the one I want, and the sales clerk suggests I check the website to. So I did there in the store and found out I could buy it on walmart.com and save $50. Another guy was looking at the same TV and I told him what I was going to do. And we both left Wal Mart without TV's in hand.

So we bought online for the savings. Now because we took money away from that specific store that must be like shoplifting. We must have convinced ourselves that it wasn't wrong, illegal or immoral right?

Wal Mart still got our business as EBay still does through Paypal. Just not as much. Those who don't change with changing times get left behind.

Sounds like the Founding Fathers of Sportscards on EBay are going through insanity.

itzagoner · July 26, 2011 7:28AM

......I am quite confident you know what the definition of insanity is?

Sounds like the Founding Fathers of Sportscards on EBay are going through insanity.

......but this, cardboard, sportscards keep me sane.

......the cardboard talks to me.......

hmmmmm. [scratching chin while pondering]

cards651 · July 26, 2011 7:29AM

There is a lot covered here but one consistent theme here and in other threads are the so-called 'over priced Buy It Now' prices. It appears that sellers are using eBay to advertise their cards with above market prices with the expectation that buyers will then contact them off eBay where they can haggle for a more realistic price. This is clearly an attempt to avoid paying for a service the seller received from eBay. It strikes me as similar to 'intercepting' a cable TV signal or labeling an item to Canada a 'gift' so as to avoid the GST. There are many people that do not approve of these practices.

Dpeck100 · July 26, 2011 7:53AM

"Hope your not expecting..."

I about spit up my vodka!! LOL!!!

detroitfan2 · July 26, 2011 11:39AM

I absolutely love these threads, it helps me learn who on the boards I will and will not deal with in the future. For the record, card651 and dontippet, I'd do business with you guys in a minute.

And how ironic it is that the guy who says "Hope your not expecting . . ." butchers the use of "your". Questionable integrity and no command of the English language, but he's gonna tell others not to procreate.

grote15 · July 26, 2011 12:04PM

A seller owns the property they are selling and has every right to end an auction early if he or she chooses. That is the seller's right and why they offer the option "the item is no longer for sale" when you choose to end the auction early. Is it a good business practice to string along buyers for 6 days out of 7 only to cancel bids and end the auction early? I'd day the answer is no. But if an item has no bids or is listed in a BIN/BO format and you work out a deal to sell your item directly to the buyer, I see no problem with that, though ebay may take action against you if you use their e-mail system to broker the deal..

miconelegacy · July 26, 2011 12:21PM

100% agree running auctions and ending them early is not okay. I have never taken part in them, only Buy it Now's, most of which were over priced.

eBay charges a small fee for stores to list BIN's. That is the display piece. If it is fairly priced then an EBay sale will occur. If not well, I guess I'll be the only one buying cards off EBay.

Sometimes with BIN's it happens naturally. I ask the seller for more pictures or better scans. So what happens? They get sent to my private email. Yes I ask for that too. Do I really want better pictures up there for my competition. So emails exchange, next thing you know the overpriced transaction, gets to a fair number and is still done through Ebay's Paypal.

Sorry if it strikes the wrong cord with some of you.

Maybe photobucket will have their own selling marketplace soon.

I love Nike Golf shirts and buy them regularly on EBay and at Dick's sporting goods. So where should I buy them so it's legal, on or off EBay?

TheBusiness · July 26, 2011 9:02PM

<< 

<< A lot of Ebay sellers have been in business longer than Ebay. Many have a website, do mail order and shows, maybe a shop, and sell cards to people any way they contact them. As a buyer if you don't care what you pay for something then click away at the BIN and Paypal buttons. If you want a better deal, or the best deal, then there are ways to get that done...all perfectly legal, unlike the genius suggesting you shoplift. The cheapest way to get something is when the seller doesn't have to pay any fees to sell something. A nice discount and the money saved from not having to pay Ebay fees or Paypal fees can all be passed along to the intelligent buyer brave enough to contact the seller off Ebay. There's obviously times this might not be wise, but when dealing with reputable sellers you're throwing money away if you don't. >>

But, again, this is all against ebay rules. It is not perfectly legal as you suggest. And I am not suggesting that the individual shoplifts, just like I am not suggesting that they do deals outside of ebay.

Yes, I agree that it is easy to break ebay's rules, but that does not make it right. Ebay provides a service. Ebay is a great place for buyers and sellers to hook up, but at a cost. Why do people think that they should be able to use a service without paying for it? I am really surprised that people here are arguing that what they are doing is the right thing to do based on the fact that they are saving money. Just because it is beneficial to both parties does not make it right. >>

Not legal, huh? Which law would I be breaking if I took part in an off ebay deal? Don't worry, I'll wait.

TheBusiness · July 26, 2011 9:08PM

<< 100% agree running auctions and ending them early is not okay. >>

Until the auction has closed, the item hasn't been sold to anybody, so I'd have to 100% disagree.

swartz1 · July 26, 2011 9:09PM

detroitfan2 · July 27, 2011 12:54AM

<< 

<< 

<< A lot of Ebay sellers have been in business longer than Ebay. Many have a website, do mail order and shows, maybe a shop, and sell cards to people any way they contact them. As a buyer if you don't care what you pay for something then click away at the BIN and Paypal buttons. If you want a better deal, or the best deal, then there are ways to get that done...all perfectly legal, unlike the genius suggesting you shoplift. The cheapest way to get something is when the seller doesn't have to pay any fees to sell something. A nice discount and the money saved from not having to pay Ebay fees or Paypal fees can all be passed along to the intelligent buyer brave enough to contact the seller off Ebay. There's obviously times this might not be wise, but when dealing with reputable sellers you're throwing money away if you don't. >>

But, again, this is all against ebay rules. It is not perfectly legal as you suggest. And I am not suggesting that the individual shoplifts, just like I am not suggesting that they do deals outside of ebay.

Yes, I agree that it is easy to break ebay's rules, but that does not make it right. Ebay provides a service. Ebay is a great place for buyers and sellers to hook up, but at a cost. Why do people think that they should be able to use a service without paying for it? I am really surprised that people here are arguing that what they are doing is the right thing to do based on the fact that they are saving money. Just because it is beneficial to both parties does not make it right. >>

Not legal, huh? Which law would I be breaking if I took part in an off ebay deal? Don't worry, I'll wait. >>

You could start here: User Agreement

It's the thingy you agree to follow when you click "I Accept" prior to running any auction. There's this little part about fee circumvention, perhaps you've missed that.

Or, let's make it even more easy for you:

Ebay's "rules for everyone" (even TheBusiness)

Fifth bullet down: eBay members are not allowed to: Make offers to buy or sell outside of eBay

Granted, that's a bit vague (rolling my eyes).

bobbyw8469 · July 27, 2011 1:25AM

I equate it like our federal government. Uncle Sam wants EVERYONE to pay taxes!! Well, riddle me this - how come last year, I paid more taxes than BANK OF AMERICA!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!

WinPitcher · July 27, 2011 2:55AM

Sure you did Bobby.

Southsider · July 27, 2011 3:36AM

Ebay's rules are not the same thing as laws. They are contractual agreements that users agree to when they sign up to use Ebay. Violating a contract is not "illegal" as in against the law. Contracts are governed by laws of formation, enforcement, validity, etc., but just because a contract or agreement is in place does not mean it is illegal to break it. You almost always have the legal power to break a contract, but if you do not have the right to break the contract doing so will expose you to the consequences, which can either be established in the contract itself (think liquidated damages) or as dictated by laws or regulations that govern contractual damages.

Also, someone mentioned that when you auction something it's your property until you sell it. That's not entirely true. Under the Uniform Commercial Code, when you place an item up for auction without reserve, you are obligated to sell the item to the high bidder at the end of the auction. Failure to do so is not "illegal" but will put you in breach of contract with the prospective buyer. Of course there are many exceptions and other situations that would allow you to get out of it, but the general principle remains.

TheBusiness · July 27, 2011 7:14AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< A lot of Ebay sellers have been in business longer than Ebay. Many have a website, do mail order and shows, maybe a shop, and sell cards to people any way they contact them. As a buyer if you don't care what you pay for something then click away at the BIN and Paypal buttons. If you want a better deal, or the best deal, then there are ways to get that done...all perfectly legal, unlike the genius suggesting you shoplift. The cheapest way to get something is when the seller doesn't have to pay any fees to sell something. A nice discount and the money saved from not having to pay Ebay fees or Paypal fees can all be passed along to the intelligent buyer brave enough to contact the seller off Ebay. There's obviously times this might not be wise, but when dealing with reputable sellers you're throwing money away if you don't. >>

But, again, this is all against ebay rules. It is not perfectly legal as you suggest. And I am not suggesting that the individual shoplifts, just like I am not suggesting that they do deals outside of ebay.

Yes, I agree that it is easy to break ebay's rules, but that does not make it right. Ebay provides a service. Ebay is a great place for buyers and sellers to hook up, but at a cost. Why do people think that they should be able to use a service without paying for it? I am really surprised that people here are arguing that what they are doing is the right thing to do based on the fact that they are saving money. Just because it is beneficial to both parties does not make it right. >>

Not legal, huh? Which law would I be breaking if I took part in an off ebay deal? Don't worry, I'll wait. >>

You could start here: User Agreement

It's the thingy you agree to follow when you click "I Accept" prior to running any auction. There's this little part about fee circumvention, perhaps you've missed that.

Or, let's make it even more easy for you:

Ebay's "rules for everyone" (even TheBusiness)

Fifth bullet down: eBay members are not allowed to: Make offers to buy or sell outside of eBay

Granted, that's a bit vague (rolling my eyes). >>

Ebay's policys are not federal, state or even local laws. They're a bunch of rules made up by ebay to protect their business and help them avoid lawsuits.

TheBusiness · July 27, 2011 7:22AM

<< I equate it like our federal government. Uncle Sam wants EVERYONE to pay taxes!! Well, riddle me this - how come last year, I paid more taxes than BANK OF AMERICA!?!?!?!?!?!??!?! >>

Because skank of america has a whole ton of bad loan writeoffs to skate on for at least the next couple years.

Hate when this happens...seller lists an auction and cancels it near the end

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