Bidder retracted bid - is this allowed?

[jessari2527]

I just noticed today that the bidder who had placed a bid on one of my listings has retracted their bid. At least that is what I assume happened, because the bid is gone. I have no idea why and was not informed about this. I did not change my listing.  I thought that a bid on Ebay is binding? Should I inform Ebay? Is retracting a bid without informing the seller allowed?

[redwick1 · Accepted solution]

I see it was the wool

There are few reasons to retract a bid and if they retracted for the wrong reasons then you should be able to report them

Click on the number of bids in brackets (0) and the page will show the bid retraction and should show the reason

See the link 

You should be able to report from the link on this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/rules-policies-buyers/invalid-bid-retraction-policy?id=4227

[jessari2527 · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your advise.

Yes, it shows that the bidder claims to have entered a wrong amount. However, the bidder waited three days before retracting their bid. So if they knew that they had entered a wrong bid (and they only bid the minimum starting price anyway) then why did they wait three days before retracting? They also didn't enter the right amount, as required. And neither did they contact me. So to me it is quite clear that the real reason is that they changed their mind. I will report them to Ebay.

[redwick1 · Accepted solution]

Putting in a wrong amount is one reason to retract a bid but they have to put in the correct amount straight away
They have not done that so yes, do report them as it is an invalid bid retraction
Bid retractions show on their account.
Put them on your blocked bidders list to stop them bidding again

https://www.ebay.co.uk/bmgt/buyerrequirements

There was a way to block bidders with bid retractions but I can not find it so perhaps that option has been removed

[jessari2527 · Accepted solution]

I have done as you said. Reported them to Ebay and blocked them. I also found that this particular buyer has a retraction history. She is doing this all the time. She also sent me a message saying that her mother uses her account and made the bid by mistake. She clearly thinks she can get away with it.

[redwick1 · Accepted solution]

Did you check tgo see if how many bid retractions they had
If it was a few you could have told ebay.
Probably too late if you have already reported

[john1297576]

I think you will find as with so many things now that although Invalid Reasons are not allowed, the report facility is no longer available.

Ebay's usual response to problems it cannot enforce is to remove the report function.

Look at it another way though, it is better not to have them win, pay and then invent a reason to get a refund. Proves expensive for the seller if only in Paypal Fees and return postage.

Abuse of the Returns system is also reportable but I doubt that any action is ever taken and it still leaves the seller out of pocket.

@jessari2527