auction...time away

[jimw1776]

This may be a non issue.

I put up an item for auction (start bid-$14.99).  Auction to end Tues (11/7) 6:15 AM.  This past Saturday, I found out I have to fly home immediately (illness in family), so my plane reservations are for Wed 11/8.

I immediately put my store on time away, starting this AM, w/ the stipulation  of "no sales". I ended all auctions.

Because time could be short if buyer doesn't pay right away  (provided this bidder wins auction)

I messaged that bidder that I would end the auction , relist it as a BIN for her bid (14.95- instant pay), and be able to send it to her.  No response.

Because I was not on time away when buyer bid, I'm not sure what repercussions would be if this buyer wins, and doesn't pay in time before my flight, so I can't ship to her.

Any ideas or suggestions? 

Should I just end the auction w/ a bid on it and take the hit?

 I really don't have the time to deal w/ this.

TIA

[44012]

Can you take the item with you to mail? I did this once during an emergency.

The bidder may respond soon, most folks aren't on eBay all the time.

I would only cancel as a last ditch effort. Defects hurt and they stay for a year I believe. That's just me.

[slippinjimmy]

You can end the auction early AND sell to the current high bidder.

Send them another message explaining  what you are doing and why.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@jimw1776 wrote:...

Because I was not on time away when buyer bid, I'm not sure what repercussions would be if this buyer wins, and doesn't pay in time before my flight, so I can't ship to her.

Any ideas or suggestions? 

Should I just end the auction w/ a bid on it and take the hit?

 I really don't have the time to deal w/ this...

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It doesn't matter whether you were already on Time Away or not, since Time Away doesn't affect auction-format listings.

Just end the auction including canceling the bid(s).  If you use the option to end it without canceling the bids, so the current bidder wins, they might not pay before you have to leave -- you have already seen that they are not responsive to your message.  

You might send that bidder a  message with an apology, explaining that you had to end the auction for personal reasons, with an assurance that you will relist it when you're available again.