Help! Need to withdraw damaged item that has a bid on it

[lamarbobbybarney]

Hi,
Help! I have just discovered that something I received a bid on has been damaged, and I can't possibly sell it as it is now and there's no way I can fix it. (This had been in protective packaging but had been out of my custody for a period of time when it had been sent, along with other items, to someone I thought I could trust (I'm a member of her craft websites and she had done things for me involved with that in a trustworthy fashion) but had never actually met, to be offered for sale at some events in Scotland this person was attending as a craft seller. When the unsold items were returned they were returned in the protective packaging I had sent them in, so I had not inspected them closely, but they could well have been taken out of the packaging and put back in later, and it now looks like they probably were, and I do know that there was bad weather at the time in that area, and I think some raindrops splattered on some of the items.) To make matters worse, I don't know how to contact the bidder, as they only joined ebid last night and I couldn't find a way to contact them. I need to know how I can withdraw this from sale, as there is no option to close it due to it having a bid on it. I am going to contact support now and tell them what has happened.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Kind regards,
Cynthia

[meebo1]

The only other way is to blackball the bidder. That removes the bid

[burgyeb]

I once did significant damage to a costly proof set of coins that I had listed for auction. This damage occurred after someone bid on the auction. I added this imfo to my description, also indicating bidder could retract bid. The bidder kept on bidding, as well as others, and I received positive feedback from winner.

I also bid on a proof coin, and after I bid the seller indicated on the auction that he noticed significant toning of the coin that he did not notice before. He offered to allow me to retract my bid; I went on with the sale because I wanted the item. I left the seller positive feedback. I appreciated the seller's honesty in describing the issue, and for completing the transaction.

[meebo1]

Just thought: if you wait till the auction finishes you can then contact buyer and give him/her the choice if they still want it or not

[paintinglemonjane]

I once did significant damage to a costly proof set of coins that I had listed for auction. This damage occurred after someone bid on the auction. I added this imfo to my description, also indicating bidder could retract bid. The bidder kept on bidding, as well as others, and I received positive feedback from winner.

I also bid on a proof coin, and after I bid the seller indicated on the auction that he noticed significant toning of the coin that he did not notice before. He offered to allow me to retract my bid; I went on with the sale because I wanted the item. I left the seller positive feedback. I appreciated the seller's honesty in describing the issue, and for completing the transaction.

That sounds like a good idea rather than blackballing the buyer.
It will show that you are honest and trustworthy. I don't like blackballing unless it is absolutely necessary. If you have time before the auction closes, try the above method first.

Just my opinion, for what its worth.

[meebo1]

I'm afraid you cannot change auction description here when it has a bid on. I don't like blackballing either, so would let it run and then sort things out

[burgyeb]

I'm afraid you cannot change auction description here when it has a bid on. I don't like blackballing either, so would let it run and then sort things out

You can't change the description, but you are allowed to add to the description. I've had to do this several times; last month being my most recent description addition.

[lamarbobbybarney]

Hi and thank you to everyone who responded,
After posting the original comments, I immediately contacted ebid support who closed the auction early and then I was able to contact the bidder through the AAL and explain what had happened. She replied to say that she had received an invoice and didn't know what to do, being new to ebid. I replied to ask if she had received an actual invoice (I hadn't sent her one, of course) or if it was the ebid auto e-mail confirmation saying that she was the successful 'winner' of the auction, which is what I suspect it was. I haven't heard back from her so far. If it was an actual invoice, though, what on earth would I do then? It didn't come from me.
Thanks.
Kind regards,
Cynthia

[paintinglemonjane]

Hi and thank you to everyone who responded,
After posting the original comments, I immediately contacted ebid support who closed the auction early and then I was able to contact the bidder through the AAL and explain what had happened. She replied to say that she had received an invoice and didn't know what to do, being new to ebid. I replied to ask if she had received an actual invoice (I hadn't sent her one, of course) or if it was the ebid auto e-mail confirmation saying that she was the successful 'winner' of the auction, which is what I suspect it was. I haven't heard back from her so far. If it was an actual invoice, though, what on earth would I do then? It didn't come from me.
Thanks.
Kind regards,
Cynthia

It would be an invoice, it would be a confirmation email from Ebid. If they are a newbie, they wouldn't know that. I wouldn't worry about it. You have done everything by the book.

[burgyeb]

I wouldn't worry about it either. When ever eBid has stopped an auction I was bidding on, they emailed me with an explanation. I just let it drop, or communicate with eBid about it.