A bid on a guitar and with 2 days left on the auction still at highest bidder, got an email that the bid had been cancelled.

[kleinaman]

My son bid on a guitar and with 2 days left on the auction, him still at highest bidder he got an email that the bid had been cancelled.  Why is the buyer legally bound by contract to go through with the purchase, but the seller doesn't have to be bound by the agreement once a bid is placed?  Can he file a complaint against this seller?

[dmil8030 · Accepted solution]

No.

Sellers can cancel bids, just like bidders can retract.  It's always annoying to the other party, but it really is okay, - more or less.  The really irritating bit is that sellers get disproportionately huffed up about retractions, yet think nothing at all about removing bids themselves.  Oh well.  The thought of a way to report an 'invalid bid removal' may seem appealing, but it's not really practical.  The following link will tell you about how sellers cancel bids:

http://pages.ebay.ca/help/sell/manage_bidders_ov.html#canceling

Anyway, if I can make an adjustment to your analogy, -- a bidder is expected to follow through with payment when he wins, yes.  At the same time, the seller is required to ship the item for the amount stated in the listing.  Officially.  The reality of all this is that bids come and go, and items don't always get paid or shipped.

For today, I'd say you and your son may as well find another seller.  You may find a better item at a better price.

Good luck. 🙂

[ok_so_im_50]

A bid is a commitment to buy the item. A winning bid with payment commits the seller to send the item. Your bid was cancelled which means you are no longer committed to buy the item and because the auction ended with you as the winner, the seller is not obligated to sell you the item.

Sometimes things happen. A seller could realize an item is not as described after it has bid so they will cancel bids and relist with the correct information.

Of course I do not know why that particular seller cancelled your bid but you are free to bid on another guitar.