Can't bid ! Getting error message.

[4minutemile]

Error message when bidding. To be honest, I can't be bothered to formally report it because eBay is a shambles. Not motivated to help. Just thought I'd mention it because I see that at least one other person has reported a similar problem and I suspect that others are silently suffering on this issue because they too can't be bothered because eBay isn't worth bothering about.

Been bidding less than one third of what I used to anyways. Have had this message multiple times over the last 3 months. Usually I just persevere until eventually it takes my bid.

Error message is as follows:

"There was a problem with an eBay internal system or process. Contact eBay developer support for assistance (2003)"

[eburtonlab]

@4minutemile 

Any difference if you try another browser? Or a private or incognito browser window? Or if you disable add-ons? Or if you bid using the eBay app?

[marco@ebay]

Hi 4minutemile, thanks for your post.

This is a technical error from our end, and I've reported that your account is being impacted, so this can be resolved for you. Once I get an update that this has been resolved, I'd be happy to reply back here to let you know.

Thank you,

Marco

[4minutemile]

No difference. It happens on all browsers. I'm ICT savvy. Have used all browsers. eBay is properly gormless.

[4minutemile]

I deliberately do not use add-ons. I always work with vanilla software because I know that add-ons can introduce problems.

I never use cellphone apps because there is no security when using cellphones. But ofcourse the vast majority of the population of the world has been brainwashed in to thinking that using apps is safe and that nobody else could possibly find out what your underwear size is. Good luck with that!

[tressygirl]

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@4minutemile wrote:

No difference. It happens on all browsers. I'm ICT savvy. Have used all browsers. eBay is properly gormless.

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I think you may have missed Community manager Marco's reply above,  it's a technical issue, others are experiencing this, and Marco has added your account to the tech ticket to look at.

@4minutemile 

[4minutemile]

Didn't miss a thing!

New error message today.

"Problem with bid

Attention buyer

It looks like items from this seller currently aren't available for purchase. We recommend that you search for similar items from other sellers."

When attempting to bid on https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/317357023709?autorefresh=true

Conclusion:

   A demented labrador that wags his head instead of his tail could do a better job of running eBay.

[a45heaven]

@tressygirl 

Ive had a regular bidder contact me to let me know he could not bid on my items.

I lost his bids, they missed an opportunity to obtain an item they wanted, then theres the time we both lost, and good will twixt the pair of us -  Its good to know that its ebays  Tech un-doing that was the problem

How is ebay going to address the compensation to Sellers for ebays failed system?

Fit for purpose ? Hmmm 

[4minutemile]

Must be either DEI recruitment or remote working. 

[tressygirl]

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@a45heaven wrote:

@tressygirl 

Ive had a regular bidder contact me to let me know he could not bid on my items.

I lost his bids, they missed an opportunity to obtain an item they wanted, then theres the time we both lost, and good will twixt the pair of us -  Its good to know that its ebays  Tech un-doing that was the problem

How is ebay going to address the compensation to Sellers for ebays failed system?

Fit for purpose ? Hmmm 

---

A good question, let's tag community managers to see what is happening with this issue affecting many.  You may not get a reply until Monday.

dave@ebay  marco@ebay  kat@ebay  why is this happening for some, I understand it's not always an issue that the buyer is in the Chan. Isles we know this is causing problems,  but others are coming daily with this,  loss of money for the seller and loss of an item to the buyer.

Surely needs addressing asap.

@a45heaven 

[4minutemile]

In yesterday's "The Guardian" published October 5th 2025 there is technical terminology for the condition that is besetting eBay:

"This moment we’re living through, this Great En*bleep*tening, is a material phenomenon, much like a disease, with symptoms, a mechanism and an epidemiology. When doctors observe patients who are sick with a novel pathogen, their first order of business is creating a natural history of the disease. This natural history is an ordered catalogue of the disease’s progress: what symptoms do patients exhibit, and in which order?

Here’s the natural history of en*bleep*tification:

1 .   First, platforms are good to their users.
2 .  Then they abuse their users to make things better for their business customers.
3 .  Next, they abuse those customers to claw back all the value for themselves – and become a giant pile of doodoo."

Amazon is going through the exact same thing.