Protecting auction integrity on eBay

[stephenmorgan]

Starting May 13, 2026, buyers in the US who win auctions on eBay will no longer see an option to cancel orders.

Why we’re making this change

Auctions on eBay work best when winning bidders follow through and pay. You have told us that canceled bids disrupt your sale, hurt the item’s value, and create overhead. To better protect you, we’ll be removing the option for buyers to cancel winning bids.

What this means for you

Fewer cancellation requests US buyers will no longer be able to submit cancellation requests after winning auctions.

Auction sales are final While US buyers can still message you directly to request a cancellation, it’s up to you to grant or reject. Our policy states all auction sales are final and fully supports you in declining the request.

Protection from negative feedback If the buyer leaves negative feedback due to a declined cancellation, you can request its removal through Seller Help within 90 days of the sale.

FAQs

What should I say if a buyer is confused about why they can’t cancel?

You can let them know that this is an eBay policy. Once an auction ends and they’ve won, cancellations are disabled and the order is considered final. If they have concerns or questions about the policy itself, they should contact eBay directly. Learn more about eBay’s policies.

What if the buyer sends me a message to request cancellation?

Per eBay’s User Agreement, auctions are considered binding and buyers aren’t allowed to cancel an order themselves after winning an auction. If a buyer messages you to cancel an auction order on their behalf, you will not be required to do so, however you can choose to if you prefer.

Which of my orders are covered by the new cancellation policy?

All orders resulting from auctions where the transaction takes place on the US site are covered by the new policy.

Does this cancellation policy change apply to eBay Live?

No, currently this updated cancellation policy only applies to transactions resulting from auctions on our core US marketplace.

[jonathanbrightlight]

Sounds like a positive step.  We rarely do auctions personally, but that's one of the complaints I see often on these boards from sellers.

[rosszonebricks]

It does sound like a positive step. (wait? didn't auctions used to be 'final' anyway!? )

Buyers will always still find a way to get out of auctions they changed their mind on.  But the feedback protection is a good start, and after that, the already robust chargeback protection should help the rest.

[kensgiftshop]

I see more INADs if auction sales are final and don't have the option to cancel.

[campanaelia]

It should work both ways...

Auctions on eBay work best when sellers follow through and ship regardless what the final price was.

Too many false reasons from sellers cancelling/not shipping. 

Or being ghosted and buyers having to open an INR case.

Ebay needs to also crack down on that end too.

Buyers also invest time watching, bidding, and paying, only to to get refunded and being told: "Buyer asked to cancel"

And in addition, int'l buyers lose money on exchange rates when refunded due to no fault of their own.

Sadly most changes always seem to only favor sellers!

[scentral23]

I think this change is about 10 years too late unfortunately.

[snapmom]

What happens if you ship,  and your policy is to accept returns, the buyer can just send back the item.

[a_la_vintage]

Or they open a INAD when you don't accept returns.

[saturdaystoys]

While the concept is appreciated (and should have never flipped to give buyers such a broad discretion in cancelling orders)... still, more clarity is needed.

All of the language in the "update" references "auctions" and buyers who "win" their auction.

How does this connect to "fixed price" or "buy it now" listings? (as is the case with most eBay listings).  Is the update for both "auctions" and "fixed price listings"?

[pancake*maker]

They need to do something about returns. You have 3 days to say there’s an issue on PM. Would love to see that on eBay. 30 days to say and then like 30 more to return is insanity. 

[tobaccocardyahoo]

There are so many factors responsible for the NPB increase with or without cancellation.

This is a no-brainer change, which is unlikely to do much harm, but probably will not do much good either.

The comparison between the NPB and the seller who cancels when he does not like the priced realized is right on. Both are neither intelligent nor honorable.

[texasgirl59]

I would like to know also if the fixed price or buy it now listing is included.

[campanaelia]

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@pancake*maker wrote:

They need to do something about returns. You have 3 days to say there’s an issue on PM. Would love to see that on eBay. 30 days to say and then like 30 more to return is insanity. 

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3 days is insane, buyer's lives don't revolve around ebay deliveries.

My packages go to a mail box store, I usually pick them up once a week, but sometimes it been up to 2 weeks.

Also when buying lots of computer/electronic items, testing everything takes time.

I stopped buying my computers on ebay when auto-pay first started and never resumed.

3 day returns would probably force me to shop elsewhere for everything else I'm still buying here.

I never shopped at PM and probably never will for that reason.

[dhbookds]

on the several questions:

Message says AUCTIONS........so fixed priced/buy it now are NOT affected.......

While US buyers can still message you directly to request a cancellation, it’s up to you to grant or reject.  so they do have an out

[stuff4divas]

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@texasgirl59 wrote:

I would like to know also if the fixed price or buy it now listing is included.

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@texasgirl59   BINs have always been 'request immediate payment' as an option for sellers