Auction bidders who back out: Is this common? I cancelled one, now the winner wants to back out.

[treasures4ya]

A few days ago, top bidder on an auction requested his bid to be cancelled. I cancelled it and fortunately he was outbid anyway.  Now the bidder who won the auction wants to retract the bid.  I did file a report on this buyer, but beyond that, am I missing something?
I have not sold on eBay in a few years, and wonder ... is this common?  It seems strange to have this happen twice within a few days time. Both bids were on the same item in the electronics category, an item that is still popular but is no longer made.
The bidder who wants to back out of the auction stated in email that this is "no big deal" ? 
Obviously it IS and yet I am not sure how to handle these funky bidders.

Input from those who have experience with auctions appreciated.

Thanks.

[soh.maryl]

When/if a buyer wants to back out, you can cancel, citing that buyer requested it.

What kind of a "report" would be filed on a buyer who requested you to cancel? 

[inhawaii]

Auction bidders who back out: Is this common? I cancelled one, now the winner wants to back out.

Yes, very. Almost every day we get sellers coming here to complain about it.

Many of us have gone to "fixed price" and "immediate payment required". 

[heckofagame]

Unfortunately, this is becoming entirely too common. Your best choice is to cancel. Be sure to select "buyer asked to cancel" as the reason. I would also recommend blocking this buyer, although that is your choice. 

[treasures4ya]

Thanks, I did block buyer, the first one, and will likely block both. This is very frustrating. Thanks for these  comments, for letting me know . Sad, there was a time when I really enjoyed auctions.  

[baantiques]

Happens all the time.  

But I've found what happens more is something doesn't sell for what the buyer wants, they simply don't ship it, and then quietly cancel and relist after a couple weeks.

[redmodelt]

Re read the post. 

[donsdetour]

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@treasures4ya wrote:

A few days ago, top bidder on an auction requested his bid to be cancelled. I cancelled it and fortunately he was outbid anyway.  Now the bidder who won the auction wants to retract the bid.  I did file a report on this buyer, but beyond that, am I missing something?
I have not sold on eBay in a few years, and wonder ... is this common?  It seems strange to have this happen twice within a few days time. Both bids were on the same item in the electronics category, an item that is still popular but is no longer made.
The bidder who wants to back out of the auction stated in email that this is "no big deal" ? 
Obviously it IS and yet I am not sure how to handle these funky bidders.

Input from those who have experience with auctions appreciated.

Thanks.

---

More information would be useful like the auction number.

A bidder who is not the top bidder at the time of requesting cancellation of bids may be trying to get the item at a cheaper price.

A user who wins and then requests cancel of the sale: well it is just plain easier to do so.

Do not forget to put em on your blocked bidders list. Keep them from being a problem in times to come.

[soh.maryl]

Assuming you meant to say "the seller doesn't ship it" if it doesn't sell for what he wants, then I assume that an experienced eBayer like yourself would know that that simply not shipping doesn't fly unless the seller is aiming for a defect and a negative feedback.  

And how can anything sell for less than the seller wants? The seller either lists with fixed price or starts his auction at a price that will be satisfactory if he only gets one bid.  

[reallynicestamps]

Auctions are less than 15% of transactions on eBay, and I can't think of any other 'general' site that used them.

Buyers don't like them.

Buyers want Instant Gratification.

To avoid most cancellations and Unpaid Items, use Fixed Price listings.

To avoid all use Fixed Price and add Immediate Payment Required. The listing will stay visible for 30 days or until someone pays up.

You can add Best Offer to Fixed Price listings. You can put parameters on what you will accept as an Offer to save angst and labour.

[albertabrightalberta]

@treasures4ya 

For buyers who request cancellation after the listing ends, there's another option.

Tell the buyer that it's no problem that they no longer want the item. Just don't pay for it and the transaction will close in 4 days. (It's not necessary to tell them that they'll get a non-payment strike! Just let it happen!) 

And @treasures4ya , after 4 days pass, go to mark the item as canceled for "buyer didn't pay" if you don't have it automatically set to close. 

In doing this, buyer gets a ding on account and doesn't get a free pass to play this game. 

[simba6]

Sad to say, yes.  We now get the wally mart shoppers.   I suggest you cancel the sale. Be sure you click the box the buyer requested it.   If you go through with the sale, you will never make the buyer happy. You also false a false not as described case to return it at your expense.

[donsdetour]

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@albertabrightalberta wrote:

@treasures4ya 

For buyers who request cancellation after the listing ends, there's another option.

Tell the buyer that it's no problem that they no longer want the item. Just don't pay for it and the transaction will close in 4 days. (It's not necessary to tell them that they'll get a non-payment strike! Just let it happen!) 

And @treasures4ya , after 4 days pass, go to mark the item as canceled for "buyer didn't pay" if you don't have it automatically set to close. 

In doing this, buyer gets a ding on account and doesn't get a free pass to play this game. 

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And da smart ones will just pay then when received: file an item not as described and cost you money on the return:

Easier to cancel the sale.

[soh.maryl]

If "Re read the post" was directed to me, can you explain to me what I missed? 

[redmodelt]

#soh.maryl

No it wasn't point at any one, I typed something than posted it. After posting I saw it did not fit so came back and edited the post, that is what I type in as a filler.