Everything that has been said about eBay not being able to cancel an order that a buyer has placd with a seller is of course correct. It's just a pity that eBay can't bring itself to state this up front.

As so often, eBay can't resist putting a spin on it's headlines with more buyer-friendly terms like "How buyers can cancel an order" and "We understand that there are occasions when orders will need to be cancelled". Both wilfully misrepresent the actual situation that buyers can't cancel an order! So why not say so?

These should correctly read "Buyers cannot cancel an order. They can ask the seller, but sellers are not required to agree" and "We understand that there are occasions when buyers may wish to cancel an order, but sellers are not required to agree".

We don't have to look far for examples of spin-spotting on eBay. The link to eBay's money back guarantee in every listing is a classic! "Shop hassle-free with eBay Money Back Guarantee. There's no extra fee." Come off it, eBay; it's actually called a buyer protection fee! So this description isn't quite exactly the whole truth, is  it?