Seller retracted my bid/closed auction/no reason given

[rmillercwi]

I was a few days into a 5 day auction for a Tonka truck. I was the only bid up until recently when I got a message from ebay saying my bid was cancelled and the auction closed early.

Is this ok?

If so, is there a way to leave negative feedback somehow?

[jerryman12a]

A seller can remove a listing , and no you can not leave a negative as no transaction took place.

There could be many genuine reasons why a seller removes a listing , don't take it personal.

[jabbajay01]

phorum_junkie*,

Although I have a number of transactions on Ebay, its been over a number of years.  Today was the first time I visited the forum and first topic I read was the one with 442 posts, where the person asked for advice but would not "listen" because that was not what he wanted to hear.  It was amusing in the fact that I have had many dealings with people who had the same attitude.

Getting back to this topic, your comment/answer to rmillercwi, was:-

"You should keep neg feedback for seller's who do the wrong thing!

Feedback is there to rate a transaction and no transaction has taken place.

I should imagine with an attitude like yours you will find your way onto a lot of BBLs!"

May I ask you a question then.  We know a transaction ends when money paid, item delivered.  When does a transaction start.

Does not a seller removing an item during an auction do the wrong thing by the buyer/bidder.

Sorry, thats 2 questions.

[patchoo78]

Does not a seller removing an item during an auction do the wrong thing by the buyer/bidder.

Sorry, thats 2 questions.

No. A seller for any reason they like, can end the auction as long as it is 12 hours or more before the item ends.. 

As no transaction has taken place (ie you haven't paid any money or even "won" the item) you can't leave any feedback..

It is annoying when sellers do this, but c'est la vie

[thesoulyearns]

... no transaction has taken place (ie you haven't paid any money or even "won" the item)

Bingo.

The transaction (or "contract" if you like) starts the second you win the auction because a bid itself is not a guarantee of winning an auction. That's why you're not entitled to accept a Second Chance Offer and face no repurcussions. It's only the winning bidder of that one singular auction that has entered into a contract with the seller. Of course, even as the winning bidder, you don't have to pay. Sellers can allow a "reneg" of the contract if both parties agree.

[jabbajay01]

patchoo and thesoulyearns,

In my opinion, the transaction starts with the first bid, if a bid was not made, there would be no transaction, but I have no intention of arguing the point.  People have different opinons, perceptions and  interpretations.  The thing that is annoying is that no reason has to be given, this I think is what gets buyers upset. Majority of people are reasonable and if a reason was given, more than likely they would accept it.  Its just the so called "rules" of Ebay that annoy, both sellers and buyers

[lyndal1838]

The transaction starts when the auction ends with a winning bidder.  How can it start with the first bid being placed?  If the first bidder is not the winner then you are saying that there are two transactions  taking place....one with the first bidder and one with the winning bidder.

[jabbajay01]

lyndal,

Basically, it is one transaction, where a number of people are involved.  Best way I can describe it is like a sports team, whether there are 5 a side, 10, 11 or 13.  All the players are playing ONE game for a certain period of time.  To me an auction is like that game, all the bidders, together with the seller (who might be selling on behalf of another person) are involved in one transaction.  In this scenario,  the game ends at the allotted time with the highest bidder being the winner.  It then concludes when the money is exchanged for the item.

[the_great_she_elephant]

Definition of 'Transaction'

1. An agreement between a buyer and a seller to exchange goods, services or financial instruments.

2. In accounting, the events that affect the finances of a business and must be recorded on the books. Transactions are recorded in what are known as "journal entries." Each entry describes a single transaction and states its date and amount.

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/transaction.asp#axzz2GtAYcqhR

[the_great_she_elephant]

Until the auction is won, no agreement can be said to exist between either party.