UK to UK transaction being charged VAT

[sjtutd]

Our top bidder has messaged us to say he will be charged VAT.

We are in the UK, and have only ever been here.  We are private sellers.  Buyer is also in UK.  Neither of us can make any contact with eBay to clarify why VAT is being applied.

Can we only cancel his bid or is there another course of action?

Thanks for your help,

[fargvs]

Reported as an unexplained glitch on some listings and additional VAT is not applied at sale end ... 

Basically ... VAT @ 20% is inclusive on all UK >< UK sales (between England, Wales, N Ireland and Scotland) ...

but ... 

Even with an item showing as being located in the UK,  if either the buyer or seller uses an account that is or has been Registered outside the UK  site at any time, it will automatically trigger an additional UK 20% VAT  fee payable to HMRC/UK Government >

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/buying/paying-items/paying-tax-ebay-purchases?id=4771&st=2&pos=2&query=P...