Bid Retractions

[ten_o_nine]

I want to understand why ebay allows bid retractions? If they entered the "wrong amount" Hahahah, then they should follow a process to enter the new amount before allowing a retraction, no one should be allowed to disrupt auctions with child play by bidding on day 1 and retracting on day 6, how many were discouraged from bidding because this clown was the highest bidder, especially if Mr. clown bids on multiple items and retracts, it causes confusion because if the previous bidder was outbid then they may go out and buy it from another place, why should they be obligated to resume auction again???

[rebell45]

Your right, but it's been that way forever. That;s why more and more are going with BIN instead of auctions and I think that's what eBay wants.

[ten_o_nine]

I agree it's been that way forever but we need them to change it and put some restrictions on bidding. 

You can BIN and send a message to cancel, but that should not work for "Auctions". Do you ever go to an auction on the items that were returned to the auction house? Just sad you can't even hold an honest auction on the best auction site.

[eburtonlab]

I understand your frustration and agree with you that eBay tolerates far too many serial bid retractors without taking any apparent action to curb their abusive bidding tactics. I have seen users with over a thousand bid retractions in the last year. There is no way that should be allowed to happen.

On the other hand, few users would bid on auctions if they knew that a missing decimal point could wind up obligating them to pay up to a hundred times their intended bid amount with no opportunity to retract a bid. Many bidders only realize their mistake when the bidding far surpasses their intended bid. Requiring the user to submit a new bid amount in order to retract would only prevent retractions if bidders are required to bid higher than the current showing amount -- as any bid below that level is functionally equivalent to no bid at all.

[downunder-61]

Nothing is done no matter how many retractions a buyer has - evidenced by a thread I saw on another board where the poster had 614 YES 614 retractions in 12 months.

[mr_lincoln]

@ten_o_nine   I actually like your idea that if a Buyer wants to Retract a bid the first screen they see is one where they have to enter the new amount to bid.  Then they would be permitted to retract (or basically replace) the one bid with the other.

When I see someone retracted a bid I check their FB page to see how many they have retracted in the last year.  If it is a lot I add them to my BBL ... that way if they try it again they will get a little surprise.  If they only have one or two I just let it slide.

[ten_o_nine]

Just don't understand why not do something to protect buyers and sellers? just takes the trust away from all,  it's very simple for ebay, I can write the code, the BIN stuff are out there, these are auctions and should be treated as such. The only thing in my opinion that you can do is "item not as described" if falsely described, other than that, deal with it.

[downunder-61]

I agree, and if, as I said 614 in a year is not punishable then I would have to assume ebay couldn't give a toss.

At tleast on auctions you can check the FB of the buyer - and then cancel and block

[slippinjimmy]

If I was still running Auctions I would not want the ability to retract taken away. I would much rather somebody who doesn't want my widget retract their bid than end up being a winner and not paying OR MUCH WORSE.

[downunder-61]

That is true, but there should be a cut off point when it is being abused.

If you stuff up a bid you can retract and re-enter with no repercussions, but continual retractions to me say 'window shopper' and that probably spills over into a winning bid and BIN's (without IPR) as well - just my opinion.

[katzrul15]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

@ten_o_nine   I actually like your idea that if a Buyer wants to Retract a bid the first screen they see is one where they have to enter the new amount to bid.  Then they would be permitted to retract (or basically replace) the one bid with the other.

When I see someone retracted a bid I check their FB page to see how many they have retracted in the last year.  If it is a lot I add them to my BBL ... that way if they try it again they will get a little surprise.  If they only have one or two I just let it slide.

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This would be a great idea - replace the retracted with a new bid.  Love it!

[coolections]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

if a Buyer wants to Retract a bid the first screen they see is one where they have to enter the new amount to bid. 

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I understand what you are saying, but on that note I have (not too many times), bid on an item on day one then when I came back on day 6 or so I noticed something wrong I hadn't noticed when I bid. It would be very unpleasant experience if I was forced to have to buy the item. Somehow Ebay has to allow bidders to retract. For one, the amount of returns would triple. I do agree there should be a limit but it would have to go by percent of (bids:retractions). Someone who buys 100 items a month compared to someone who buys 5 items a month.

[gjs_16]

Part of the problem with retractions that I see is that a high bid reveals the top bid...

[luckythewinner]

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@ten_o_nine wrote:

I want to understand why ebay allows bid retractions?

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Because eBay recognizes that there is absolutely no point in trying to force a buyer to purchase something that they clearly do not want. 

And most knowledgeable sellers appreciate this, because it saves the seller the hassle of non-paying bidders or frivilous returns. 

[7606dennis]

Frankly, my opinion is that retractions should not be allowed period.  However, since eBay doesn't agree, I give retracting bidders the benefit of the doubt and only block them if they have more than one retraction showing on their record or if they retract a bid on one of my items.  I also cancel any other bids that they may have placed on any other of my listings before putting them on my BBL.