LCD televisions, Canadian coins, baby strollers, golfing shoes and dollhouse furniture rank among the items you can purchase on eBay. Shopping options include eBay's auction-style format, where you compete against other customers to win your desired item. But what if you bid on merchandise, win it and then want to cancel your bid? Your ability to easily withdraw from a transaction depends on the flexibility of the item's seller.
Bidding Equals Commitment
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On eBay, placing a bid on an item is equivalent to entering into a contract. By bidding on an item, you obligate yourself to pay for the item if you win it, even if you decide you no longer want it. Only bid on items you are serious about purchasing. Perhaps you really did want to buy an item as a gift for someone, but after the auction ended, you found out that person already had a similar item. In circ*mstances like these, appeal to the seller for assistance.
Contacting the Seller
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Each eBay listing includes a box on the right side of the screen, near the top, that contains the seller's screen name. By clicking on the name, you can navigate to the seller's profile page. Look for the Contact Member link. After clicking it, follow the prompts to open the form that allows you to send an email to the seller. If you prefer to speak to the seller by phone, visit eBay's customer support center and use the tools provided to request the seller's phone number. Be prepared to enter the item number of the merchandise you no longer wish to purchase when requesting the seller's number.
Composing Your Message
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Begin your message by acknowledging that you made a mistake. Explain why you bid on an item you no longer wish to purchase. Politely ask the seller to cancel the transaction and express how much you would appreciate his cooperation. If the seller agrees to release you from your obligation, he can use tools within eBay to do so and then relist the item for sale.
Seller Refusal
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A seller can refuse to cancel the transaction and insist that you pay for the item. If you fail to do so, eBay can log an "unpaid item" notation on your account. If you accumulate too many of these strikes against yourself, eBay may suspend your trading privileges.
