highest bidder retracted bid, not im highest bidder?

snagglepuss16

i bid on a toy for my son, but was outbid, it has just over a day to run and i have been outbid for a few days. i received an email to say the highest bidder retracted their bid, this now leaves me winning. i was just wondering how this works, as for all ebay know i could of bought the item elsewhere and no longer require this one? i dont see how this is fair really. if i win the item i will pay, thats not the issue, but i dont like the way this has been done.
to retract a bid, does the seller not have to agree to it?

my_old_mans_a_dustman

I'd be worried about shill bidding.

RHemmings

my_old_mans_a_dustman wrote: »

I'd be worried about shill bidding.

Yes. If possible, check that the highest bidder who withdrew his/her bid is not also the second highest bidder. If so, shill bidding is a distinct possibility.

snagglepuss16

its only showing my one bid and the withdrawn bid, does this mean only 2 bids were involved?
it says their explanation was entered wrong amount, but they havent bid again so surely its a lie.
just annoyed as it seems i have no right to refusal of the item without it looking bad on me

challengedavid

just retract your bid too if you dont want it

forgotmyname

I would retract my bid unless you are currently winning at the items starting price. Which is also the same as
your maximum bid price.

They could be trying to see how much you put and push the price upto that.

delta-1

Invalid bid retractions are an offence. There's always a risk that you'll be left the winning bidder. There are only three reasons for retraction, and change of mind isn't one of them.

Whilst you should look into the possibility of shill bidding (how many items have they bid on with that seller?)

Also bear in mind it could just have been a timewasting buyer - in which case they have unfairly wrecked the seller's auction, and you or the seller can report them for invalid bid retraction.

delta-1

To avoid this sort of think happening, I tend to snipe on auctions (placing a last-minute bid on the item) so there's no time to get shilled or for other buyers to retract their bids)

RHemmings

forgotmyname wrote: »

I would retract my bid unless you are currently winning at the items starting price. Which is also the same as
your maximum bid price.

They could be trying to see how much you put and push the price upto that.

Yes, anyone who viewed the auction between the time when the other person bid, and when they retracted, knows what your highest bid is. And that's not even considering whether or not the other bidder is or is working for the seller.