Reporting 'best offer' buyer who retracts offer?

[many*splendid*things]

Hi, I'm new at selling, but I just had a best offer retracted a few hours after it was made. The reason given was 'entered wrong amount' (which is most certainly a rubbish excuse given the offer was $75 for a $90 Buy it Now item).

I looked up the information regarding retracting offers and the only other acceptable reason aside from 'entering wrong amount' (for instance $99.9 instead of $9.99) was that the item description had changed (my listing hadn't changed).

I'm not too fussed that the sale didn't happen (though I was considering the offer quite seriously at the time), but I'm a bit irked that the buyer didn't stick to the 48hr rule regarding best offers and basically wasted my time over what was pretty likely just a change of mind, or they bought elsewhere after they made the offer or whatever.

I'm interested in what other experienced sellers would suggest here, and whether I should report the buyer ID for a violation. I guess if they freely go around making and retracting offers as routine, and cop no flak for it, then other sellers are likely to be jerked around as I have.

Any suggestions?

[imastawka]

A best offer can be retracted, the same as you can reject it.

http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/buy/best-offer.html

The bid retraction process that you are talking about is for auctions - different thing

[many*splendid*things]

• Best Offers are good for 48 hours, or until the listing ends, whichever comes first.

• If the seller doesn't respond to your offer within 48 hours, it is cancelled.

• If a seller accepts your offer, you're required to complete the transaction

Can you be a bit more specific and point out where I'm mistaken - from the information there it reads to me that once an offer is made there is an obligation follow the above process. I can't see where it says offers can be retracted for any old reason.

"entered wrong amount" was the reason given by the buyer retracting in this case.

[kopenhagen5]

http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/best-offer-faqs.html#Can buyers retract their Best Offer?

There is a report category for False retractions in an auction but no report category for retractions on a Best Offer.

[lyndal1838]

Offers can be retracted....I have never done it so I don't know what reasons can be used.

When a buyer makes an offer they are told that they can retract under certain circumstances and if they prefer not to wait for the seller to reply they can also go ahead and buy at the BIN price.

A lot of buyers get impatient if the seller does not answer promptly and will cancel the offer.  

[jbmbkb]

 it was obviously a buyer who was not fully commited to their offer. better for you the buyer retracting it than you accepting it and possibly getting a non paying bidder.

[many*splendid*things]

Thanks everybody for your input.

In my selling page, when I was alerted that the offer had been retracted, there was a link to 'Offer Retraction History' for the item (below).

There was also a link (directly from the offer retraction notice) to information regarding retracting offers, which from memory was where it stated the two circumstances an offer could be retracted as I listed above.

Ebay could definitely make it all a bit clearer that's for sure. For a start the A-Z pages don't even seem to cover 'Retracting Offers'.

Anyway, from what I understand, hitting 'make offer' and submitting an offer is more or less the same as hitting 'buy it now', except the seller has the final call on whether or not to confirm the purchase (or the buyer where a counter offer has been made to the buyer from seller).

Agree that the buyer pulling out spares a possible unpaid item dispute, it was really just about the issue of buyers abusing ebay policy to wiggle out deals they have initiated.

Offer Retraction history User ID Explanation Offer Status Date of Offer and Retraction ***** ( ***) Entered wrong amount Offer retracted Offer: ********* Retraction: *******

[lyndal1838]

A lot of buyers think rules are just there for them to break.

You need to weigh up the pros and cons of the buyer retracting.  It is quick and clean and your item is still up for sale.

If they go ahead and buy they can decide not to pay....it will be at least 8 days before you can relist and get the item back up for sale.

If they do pay and get the item they can open a dispute...if done through ebay and you don't refund them instantly you could end up losing both the money and the item....not forgetting the negative that may come your way.

I know it is easy for an outsider to say forget it and move on, but that really is the best course of action.

[many*splendid*things]

So... in a way, I'm kinda getting the idea it might be best not to respond to offers too quickly. Seems like time has a way of weeding out the timewasters when it comes to 'Best Offer'.

On the other hand, I suppose there are the buyers who feel obligated to buy if you accept sooner rather than later, even if they're not super keen.

One thing is fairly certain though, really interested buyers will wait (or hit the buy now button).

Thanks again for the feedback.

[lyndal1838]

Actually it is the other way round.....if you respond fairly quickly the buyer does not have time to change their mind.

As a buyer I much prefer to get my answer quickly.....if the seller has set the auto accept/reject option that is fine with me.

As buyers have the right to make 3 offers it can be a long drawn out process if the seller does not answer promptly.

Recently I made an offer on a $136.00 item which was rejected so I made an offer of $130 which was also rejected but the seller was so slow in his answers that I missed several auctions while waiting.....before I was able to BIN the item he blocked me.  That was a waste of time.....no offer accepted and then bocked for my trouble.