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Follow the Yahoo! Non-Paying Bidder Process
As part of our continued efforts to improve the Yahoo! Auctions community, we've created the following process to discourage winning bidders from failing to complete transactions. Bidders should be aware that placing bids and failing to complete the resulting transactions could result in the suspension or termination of their account.
If sellers encounter non-paying bidders, they should complete this process:
- Within three days of the auction close date, contact the bidder to arrange payment.
- Within 7 to 45 days of the auction close date, complete the Non-Paying Bidder form located on the closed auction page. Yahoo! Auctions will then send a message to you and the bidder.
- In the next ten days after filing the Non-Paying form, contact the bidder again and try to work things out.
- Ten days after the form is filed and up to 60 days after the auction close date, if there is no resolution, visit the closed auction page and escalate your complaint.
- Next, rate the bidder and blacklist them if appropriate.
- Or, if the problem is resolved, visit the closed auction page to cancel your complaint.
Typical Enforcement Action
| Bidder Offense |
Enforcement Action |
| First and Second Offense: |
A warning to the bidder from Yahoo! Auctions. |
| Third Offense:
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A warning and 30-day suspension from Yahoo! Auctions. |
| Fourth Offense:
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The indefinite suspension of bidder's Yahoo! ID.
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*Please note: Appropriate enforcement action is determined at Yahoo!'s sole discretion. This enforcement schedule is approximate.
Offer the Item(s) to a Reserve Bidder
If you are unable to contact the winning bidder, even after sending a confirmation email, then you may offer the item to the reserve bidder if there was more than one bidder.
If there were no other bidders, we recommend that you resubmit your auction.
The reserve bidder is the second highest bidder, but this bidder is not obligated to purchase your item. We suggest allowing three days before moving on to the reserve bidder.
To get the email address of the reserve bidder:
- Click on "My Auctions" from any page of Yahoo! Auctions, and then select the "Closed/Sold" option.
- Select your auction and scroll to the bottom of the auction item page. You will see the winner's Yahoo! ID and email address along with the Reserve Bidders List.
To contact and rate a reserve bidder, access the auction through "My Auctions," then click on "Remove" next to the winner's name. The reserve bidder will then be promoted to the Winners List.
When you remove your auction winner from the Winners List, a notification email is sent to the highest bidder on your Reserve Bidders List, giving them the choice of accepting or turning down the winning position on the auction. If
they choose to accept the winning position, you will then be allowed to leave feedback about them.
Find out more about Yahoo! Auctions Ratings.
More Tips for Sellers and Buyers
Tips for Sellers
Sellers, please consider the following when dealing with non-paying bidders.
- Contact the bidder and try to resolve the dispute directly. Your bidder may have a legitimate reason for not responding right away.
- To review the complaint at any time, return to your closed auction page. Also visit the page to cancel or escalate the complaint.
- Only escalate the complaint as a last resort.
- Use Yahoo! PayDirect to receive quick payment when your auction closes.
Tips for Bidders
Bidders, if you feel you have been wrongfully accused, you may file a Bidder Appeal form by clicking on the appropriate link from the closed auction page.
Please consider the following suggestions to help avoid disputes or misunderstandings:
- Be cautious. Check a seller's rating and past transaction comments before placing a bid.
- Contact the seller and request payment instructions as soon as an auction closes. Be sure to include your shipping address. Keep paper copies of all email correspondence between you and the seller.
- Send payment as soon as possible and always keep proof of payment. If you send a check, the seller may have to wait a couple of days for the check to clear before sending the item. If you and the seller both use Yahoo! PayDirect, you can send payment immediately by email.
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