Bidder outside the US

[mobius60]

I listed an item for sale and a bidder outside the US has placed a bid, even though I specified US only. What can I do about this?  Can I refuse the bid?

[soh.maryl]

Unless the buyer uses a freight forwarder in the US, or maybe has you ship to a relative here, who then forwards it on to the buyer, you can cancel, citing "problem with the buyer's address".

[eleanor*rigby]

There is no legitimate reason to cancel a bid based on a bidder's registered location. If the bidder in your post wins the auction and provides a U.S. address, there is no legitimate reason to cancel the transaction. At some point, it comes down to your honesty and integrity as a seller--how willing you are to violate eBay policies to protect yourself, and whether you can sleep easily at night if you do so.

Here are the circumstances under which a seller can cancel a bid while the auction is live:

These are the circumstances under which a seller may cancel a transaction.

[mobius60]

Thanks for the reply.  This is my first time dealing with a foreign bidder.  I've sent them a message to clarify what they plan to do when the auction ends.  Hopefully they intend to use a US shipper to get it to them.

[caldreamer]

Selling "high value" items will attract scammers.   No protection if you get scammed.   Because you don't ship to foreign address you can cancel order using "bad shipping address".   

When you ship item EBAY requires that you use "signature confirmation".    This is for your protection.

[mr_lincoln]

Hi @mobius60  I read your post and the replies you received.  If you decide you want or need to cancel the bid here is a link to help with that:

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/selling-auctions/canceling-bid?id=4140&st=12&pos=1&query=...

It also includes a link to your Blocked Buyer's list if you ever decide to add a member to that list.

Regards,

Mr. L

[eleanor*rigby]

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@caldreamer wrote:

Selling "high value" items will attract scammers.   No protection if you get scammed.   Because you don't ship to foreign address you can cancel order using "bad shipping address".   

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There's nothing in the OP's post that indicates the bidder has a foreign shipping address. The auction isn't even over yet, so the OP cannot know whether the bidder's shipping address is in the U.S. or elsewhere.

If the bidder wins the auction, and if the shipping address is indeed not in the U.S., you're correct--the OP can cancel based on the location of the shipping address.

[eleanor*rigby · Accepted solution]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

Hi @mobius60  I read your post and the replies you received.  If you decide you want or need to cancel the bid here is a link to help with that:

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/selling-auctions/canceling-bid?id=4140&st=12&pos=1&query=...

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If you've read that page, you'll find there's no legitimate reason to cancel a bid based on a bidder's registered location. Exactly which of the four reasons below are you basing your advice to the OP for cancelling this bid? I'm sure you wouldn't be suggesting the OP falsify the reason for cancellation, right?

[releasethekraken_1]

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@mobius60 wrote:

 Hopefully they intend to use a US shipper to get it to them.

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Do you mean, "hopefully they want it shipped to a USA address"?

[donsdetour]

You as a seller can cancel bids if they are with in the policy..

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/cancelling-bid?id=4140 

You as a new seller: scammers show up..

https://pages.ebay.com/securitycenter/stay_safe.html 

[mobius60]

I was able to contact the bidder.  They do indeed intend to use a freight forwarder to ship from the US to their location.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[releasethekraken_1]

Thanks for closing the loop.