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can a seller reject a winning bid and offer the item to the next lower bidder

(1 of 5)
can a seller reject a winning bid and offer the item to the next lower bidder
Jul 30, 2012 12:02 PM

I lost an auction on a car. My bid met the sellers reserve where the action stayed until the last second.  My highest bid lost. The next day the seller contacted me and left a message on my phone, He  said that he was uncofortable with the winning bidder because the bidder was from the UK and was offering me the car since I was the next lower bidder  Isn't the seller obligated to honer the higher bib?  Something smells to me

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(1 of 5)
can a seller reject a winning bid and offer the item to the next lower bidder
Jul 30, 2012 12:02 PM

I lost an auction on a car. My bid met the sellers reserve where the action stayed until the last second.  My highest bid lost. The next day the seller contacted me and left a message on my phone, He  said that he was uncofortable with the winning bidder because the bidder was from the UK and was offering me the car since I was the next lower bidder  Isn't the seller obligated to honer the higher bib?  Something smells to me

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(2 of 5)
Re: can a seller reject a winning bid and offer the item to the next lower bidder
Jul 30, 2012 12:05 PM

No.

 

VEHICLE listings are non binding.

Either party can back out.

 

Yes - the seller can (and should) refuse to sell to a bidder that's not even in the same country.

 

If you want the vehicle - go look at it - and pay for it - and drive it home.

(3 of 5)
Re: can a seller reject a winning bid and offer the item to the next lower bidder
Jul 30, 2012 12:06 PM

Hi whitelake.grumpy201

 

In eBay Motors, bids are not binding.  Besides, I would be more likely to think the other bid "smelled" since the person is in the UK and the car and seller are in the US.

 

But, if you are uncomfortable, definitely do not proceed.  Do not send money for a vehicle purchase: go there with cash in hand, and a mechanic in tow.


What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.

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(4 of 5)
Re: can a seller reject a winning bid and offer the item to the next lower bidder
Jul 30, 2012 12:19 PM

Whitelake...

 

Good thing you came here for advice...I agree with everyones responses and will probably agree with the next few, you might receive....

 

 

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(5 of 5)
Re: can a seller reject a winning bid and offer the item to the next lower bidder
Jul 30, 2012 01:11 PM

While I agree with the above posters, I am also sympathetic to the seller.

A overseas bidder for a car does smell of a scam, unless the car is something very special. (Just to begin with the UK, like Japan and Australia uses right hand drive cars.)

If you are still interested in the car, ask the seller to complete ending the first transaction and then relist using your ID as the title. If eBay Motors accepts Fixed Price listings this may be the simplest.

They you buy and pick up the car, saving shipping, making a new friend, and having a nice holiday along the way.

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