Nina asked.

Sometimes, somehow, after someone bidded on your eBay auction, you realized something is just not right in your listings.

Reasons could be:

1. The item was lost or broken or no longer as described. (While moving that antique vase, the vase just slipped off your hand)
2. The item is no longer available for sale. (Didn’t you thought you just saw that pink Hello Kitty purse lying somewhere, but it is gone now. Well, time to organize your inventory.)
3. Error in starting price or reserve price amount. (You put up a pair of Crocs Sandal for auction at $1.50, but was supposed to be $15.00)
4. Error in the listing descriptions. (The bust size for that Wacoal push up bra is 32, but you indicated as 36)

Unfortunately, you will not be able to modify anything in your listings

1. after someone bidded on it.
2. if it’s less than 12 hours before the end of the auction.

When you are faced with a situation like this, perhaps you really need to end the listing early rather than waiting for the auction to end itself. You can’t modify your listings for that $1.50 Crocs Sandals anymore after someone bidded on it. What a bargain! But actually the price you intend to key in was $15.00. Somehow, things happened.

To end your eBay listings early:
1. Take note of your Crocs Sandal item number. Go to End My Listing Early Form.
2. Key in the item number.
3. Choose the reason why you want to end that eBay Crocs Sandal listing.
4. Your eBay listing will be ended immediately and will no longer be displayed on eBay.
5. Email your buyers to let them know that the item is no longer for sale.

Your listing fees are not refundable in this case.

Can you end the listing early to offer the item to the highest bidder immediately?
Many a time, buyers will prefer that you end the auction early so that they don’t have to wait to get the item. They save time watching the items and save money too, as they no longer have to place a higher bid if another person bid on it.

It is really up to you whether you want to go on with this, although eBay mentioned in its policy that such transaction off eBay are against the rule. But deep down, I wonder if that’s because eBay do not get part of the % commission when this happens.

Well, anyway, this is also part of eBay safety policy. They could keep track of your Crocs Sandal transaction. What if the buyer is a scammer and file a non-receive item dispute to Paypal after they receive the item?

So, luckily, you are allowed to end a listing early and sell the item to the high bidder, as long as it is via eBay (see?).

Ask the buyer to bid at the amount that both of you have agreed, then go to End My Listing Early form and select “Sell to the high bidder”.

Have you been in such a situation before where you need to end an eBay auction early? Tell me your story!

Note: This post was written for Nina who feel bad as she didn’t manage to sell to the first bidder by ending the auction early.

Tags: ebay tips, make money ebay, ebay.com, ebay.co.uk, end eBay listing