Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
eBay

If you buy or sell items on eBay, you will find tips and advice on this forum.

Original poster

QUICK - what is ebay ettiquette/rules regarding ending auctions early?

26 replies

SlightlyAngrySlug · 15/04/2007 22:06

Hi,

I have always thought it was a no no to end an auction early because a buyer wants to 'buy it now' but without a 'buy it now' button IYSWIM. When I told a buyer this they got snotty and told me I was wrong. I havn't done it since.

I now have another item where a buyer has asked me if I have a price in mind. If I tell him and he asks me to end early at an agreed price am I breaking ebay rules? If I am breaking rules is it really bad ettiquette?
(I plan to tell them that my reserve is XX, I have YY watchers, but for a bit more I will end the auction for you)

What would you do?

OP posts:
Original poster
SlightlyAngrySlug · 15/04/2007 22:27

MrsWho?....anyone know?....someone clearly thought it was acceptible to end early but I have re-read the rules and I still think it is against the rules....

OP posts:
scatterbrain · 15/04/2007 22:29

You can end it early to sell to the highest bidder. I've done that a few times - perfectly allowed.

Original poster
SlightlyAngrySlug · 15/04/2007 22:32

But at teh mo the bids are at £50. I would be offering it at £750 (with a £600 reserve). If no-one competes the highest bid is going to be lower than what I want isn't it?

OP posts:
scatterbrain · 15/04/2007 22:34

Yes but you have to tell them how much you want for it - ie. £750 - if they agree then they place their bid at that amount and only then do you end it. If they don't bid what you want - you don't end it early !

I just checked the rules - go into ebay Help and it's the second question "how do I end an auction early" and then it's down at the botom of the page. Definitely allowed !

kid · 15/04/2007 22:35

Why don't you tell them what you were hoping to get for it, they might not want to pay that price so you won't have to worry about ending the auction early.
I think by ending it early and doing a private sale, you run the risk of it going wrong, but if paypal is used or cash, I don't see what you have to lose.

scatterbrain · 15/04/2007 22:37

No no no !!! That's what you must NOT do !!! Do not do a private sale !!! Ending an auction early and selling to the highest bidder means you are selling within ebay !!

Original poster
SlightlyAngrySlug · 15/04/2007 22:39

But even if they bid £750 - that won't show until someone matches them will it?

I had seen that bit in the rules.

God I am only 2hrs into the auction and I have 30 watchers on 3 items. I am I have never had such a frenzy this early. Maybe I should just let it run its course.

OP posts:
kid · 15/04/2007 22:39

I thought if they did their highest bid, it would only go for the price higher than the current bid (ie: not the amount that SAS wants)

Is there an option to do a buy it now for the buyer only?

Original poster
SlightlyAngrySlug · 15/04/2007 22:40

I could end the auction and re-list with BIN, but the listing has cost me £14 in teh first place

OP posts:
scatterbrain · 15/04/2007 22:40

Oh I see what you mean - well one of us could always go and put in a fake bid to bump it up for you !

scatterbrain · 15/04/2007 22:41

What are you selling for £750 ? [nosey emoticon !]

Original poster
SlightlyAngrySlug · 15/04/2007 22:41

I could get a fake bid from MIL. I know that it is a bit naughty too, but in these circumstances I guess would be overlooked?

OP posts:
Original poster
SlightlyAngrySlug · 15/04/2007 22:42

Some random piece of semi-industrial equipment for my step father

OP posts:
scatterbrain · 15/04/2007 22:44

Oooh errr !!

Well - it's not really a fake bid is it ? If they agree to pay the £750 and they want it now rather than waiting for the auction to end - you are just helping them achieve their goal ?

I'd do it - I really would !

Original poster
SlightlyAngrySlug · 15/04/2007 22:48

TY for your advice. Will get it sorted.

OP posts:
MrsWho · 15/04/2007 23:11

I have done it by putting a BIN on.

Original poster
SlightlyAngrySlug · 15/04/2007 23:19

But I can't put a BIN on now that I have listed can I?

OP posts:
MrsWho · 15/04/2007 23:35

You can edit a listing to add one (unless there are bids)

I just started a thread for you in Chat!

nightowl · 16/04/2007 18:35

i was going to ask about this..although its nothing near that kind of money, with no reserve! i had a message from a potential buyer today asking about a buy it now price on an item, saying she lived near and could pick up immediately. i've already had a bid on the item and so i politely refused as i thought this was against the rules..was that the right thing to do?

Original poster
SlightlyAngrySlug · 16/04/2007 18:51

I think it was teh right thing to do as far as I can work out.

I have already had a frenzy of bids on mine so can't put a BIN up.

Bit frustrated actually as Bidder 1 has asked for a price on item A, I hadn't responded but was planning end the auction early at an agreed price (within ebay) as described earlier. Today Bidder 2 has asked for a combined price on items A, B & C - which is obviously very attractive to my seller as it gets rid all in one go. But I feel that giving him a bundle price without giving bidder 1 a price first is grossly morally wrong cos he asked first...now I don't want to give bidder 1 a price for item A as I would like bidder 2 to have a chance to win all 3 fair and square.... (confused yet?).

OP posts:
Original poster
SlightlyAngrySlug · 16/04/2007 18:52

I see lots of auctions stating "I have advertised elsewhere and reserve the right to end the auction early should it sell privately"

Where does that fit within ebays rules?

OP posts:
poppy101 · 16/04/2007 19:00

Hi, just be careful about ending an auction early. We had someone who want an item and we ended the auction early for them and told them exactly when it was completed and they never actually bought the item in the end.

We had to relist.

Don't do a deal out of ebay auction as you don't have any cover like someone else has previously mentioned and won't be covered.

Original poster
SlightlyAngrySlug · 16/04/2007 19:12

I wouldn't do it out of ebay...I will get them to bid at teh agreed price, ensure there is a counter bid to match them giving me teh 'high bid' I require and then end the auction early to sell to highest bidder.

The only other scenario is if a guy who is coming to view the machine on Fri offers a good price and loads them into his van there and then my seller may be tempted.

OP posts:
lm1589 · 15/04/2020 13:49

I sell stuff outside of Ebay on higher value items.

If you are selling for £750 - you'll pay 10% to Ebay (plus they'll charge you 10% on your postage).
Then Paypal will take 3.4% + 40p fixed fee.
So you'll be paying the best part of £100 in fees.
Also, if you've got a reserve - have you looked at fees associated with that?

You're not massively 'protected' as a seller - as Ebay almost always will side with a buyer on any dispute. Easy for buyers to scam sellers so you must be careful with high value items like cars , phone and machinery which attract scammers

Selling privately is not hard if you're sensible.

AdobeWanKenobi · 15/04/2020 17:06

eBay started to go after off site sales last year and invoice people for lost fees.

So if you list your £750 item on their platform, speak to a potential buyer, end the auction and sell to them privately, you might find yourself paying for it.

Swipe left for the next trending thread