Cancelled ebay purchases

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

Today I've had my third recent purchase cancelled by the seller. Mysteriously, the (low value) item they had listed for sale is no longer available from the supplier and they can't guarantee when it will be so they've offered a refund. I understood it was against ebay rules to offer an item you don't actually have and I've never experienced it before now. I'm filtering for UK sellers only to avoid post Brexit import issues so I'm confused - anyone else had the same issue?

Three times in the last year, I've won items and the seller "can't find them" so cancel. I suspect that in those cases, the items went for less than expected so they decided to cancel and sell elsewhere. One woman cancelled and said sorry but she'd given the item away to a friend. It reappeared on ebay a week later.

@ShowOfHands did you bid on it again?

No. I reported it to ebay!

That's such weird behaviour. It's not like it's difficult to set a minimum price for things.

That's so annoying @ShowOfHands! It's not the explanation for my items though as they were all Buy It Now. I'm so cynical about ebay sellers I'm wondering if there's a scammy element but can't for the life of me work out what, or why now (may just be coincidence.)

@HotChoc10

That's such weird behaviour. It's not like it's difficult to set a minimum price for things.

You have to pay to set a reserve price whereas starting at 99p is free

That used to be the case but you can now put the opening bid at what you would actually want to get with no listing fees (as a private seller)

I have a business with eBay as my main channel. You are permitted to cancel an order. Sometimes things get lost, broken or you make an inventory error and its out of stock. eBay discouraged it, and it will affect your seller metics and account standing if it happens more than occasionally. As a seller you don't want it, it's poor customer service and a loss of revenue. It seems strange you've had so many orders cancelled. Its probably bad luck, but there are a few reasons sellers night cancel, like your address isn't on the mainland (incurring extra postage costs from some couriers) or you've left poor feedback for other sellers.

Id suggest like pp have said that the person could sell for more elsewhere. So tried to do so. Leave negative feedback if you can.

I know it’s a bit different, but I sold a car to someone for £1200 or £1400, can’t remember. A lot of money for me. The buyer never contacted me.

Turns out when I reported it and got their phone number, they had been having a laugh, had no intention to go through with the transaction and eBay did sweet FA about it as they were still on the site months later. I thought they’d be barred.

So don’t rely on eBay helping you to do anything as they won’t.

I haven't cancelled any purchases anyone has made but I have re-thought listing in the first place.
I sold a few items and only after they finished it sort of became apparent how much harder it is to find the time to parcel them up and get to the post office (is it an essential journey, really?!) when I've got the kids at home full time whilst trying to work myself etc... so bare that in mind. Not everyone can jolly off to the postie several times a week.
But, like I said. I'm not listing in the first place at the moment, and maybe they shouldn't be, but some people really need the extra money too so ... 🤷🏽‍♀️

This happened to me.

Again, like you OP, I think that the item did not achieve the price they wanted.

I’m unsure of the feedback to leave as they did refund within 2 hours with no reason given but I am disappointed.

Does it warrant negative feedback? Or should it be neutral?

I don’t want to mess someone’s rating if there is a genuine reason for withdrawing the item.