How can I end my listing early?
In some cases, you might need to end a listing early. For example, you might discover that the item you're selling doesn't work or is missing a part.
Before ending a listing:
Make sure than you have a valid reason for ending the listing.
Check that you meet the requirements for ending the listing. If there are 12 hours or less before the end of the listing, restrictions apply.
Reasons for ending a listing early
When you end a listing early or make other last-minute changes, buyers may feel disappointed. However, sometimes there's a valid reason why you need to end a listing early.
Reason |
What to do |
The item is lost, broken, or otherwise no longer available for sale. |
As soon as you notice a problem, try to end the listing. |
You made a mistake when creating the listing. |
Consider revising the listing or adding a note to the item's description, rather than ending it. Learn more about the restrictions and steps for revising a listing.
If this doesn't work, try to end the listing. |
Requirements
Your ability to end a listing early depends on the amount of time remaining in the listing and whether the listing has received any bids.
If there are 12 hours or more before the end of the listing, you can end the listing early without restrictions. If there are any bids on your item when you end the listing, you'll be asked whether you want to cancel the bids or sell the item to the high bidder.
If there are 12 hours or less before the end of the listing, your ability to end the listing early depends on whether there are any bids on the item and whether the item has a reserve price.
Number of bids on the item |
Can the listing be ended early? |
No bids, including no cancelled bids |
Yes, as long as there aren't any cancelled bids. |
1 or more bids |
Yes, but you must sell the item to the high bidder. |
1 or more bids, but the item's reserve price wasn't met |
No |
How to end a listing
To end a listing early:Enter the item number into the End My Listing Early form. This number is shown on your listing, confirmation email, or My eBay page.
If there are bids on your item, choose how you want to end your listing.
If there are 12 hours or more before the end of the listing, choose Cancel bids and end listing early or Sell item to high bidder.
If there are 12 hours or less before the end of the listing, your only option is Sell item to high bidder.
Select the reason you're ending your listing early and click the End My Listing button.
Your listing will end and will no longer be active on eBay. If you're canceling an auction-style listing with bids, bidders who didn't win will receive an email explaining that their bid was cancelled and that the listing ended early.
If you can't end the listing
If you don't meet the requirements for ending your auction-style listing early, your best option is to communicate with the bidders.
If the listing ends and there is a winning bidder: Contact the bidder and explain the situation. If you and the bidder agree to not complete the sale, you can file an unpaid item and indicate that you and the buyer have agreed not to complete the transaction. The bidder will be notified and can confirm the agreement.
The fine print
You'll still be charged listing fees (such as the insertion fee) if you end your listing early. If you want to change or improve your listing, consider revising your listing instead.
Sellers are not allowed to cancel bids and end listings early in order to avoid selling an item that did not meet the desired sale price. This is considered to be a violation of our reserve price policy. Although there are legitimate reasons for ending a listing early, abuse of this option will be investigated.
When sellers list a vehicle on eBay Motors, they are also allowed to sell it locally, like in their local newspaper. If the vehicle sells locally, sellers are allowed to cancel all bids and end the listing early.
Must use Buy It Now and PayPal.
