Can I cancel my purchase in ebay check out?

 

- I accepted the seller's offer in ebay but when it was time to complete checkout for the item I realised that I should pay VAT too, which I did not expect. Can I cancel my purchase without being punished by ebay?

- Yes, you can avoid a penalty on eBay, but only if the seller agrees to cancel the order or if you qualify for EU/UK buyer protections. Under eBay’s Order Cancellation Policy, a submitted offer is considered a legally binding commitment to buy. [1, 2]

To cancel the purchase safely, follow these specific steps:

1. Message the Seller Immediately

• Go to your Purchase History or the item listing and message the seller explaining that you didn't realize VAT would be added and you cannot afford the item.
• Ask them to cancel the order on their end using the reason "Buyer asked to cancel". This ensures the seller gets their eBay final value fees back without penalty. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

2. Request a Cancellation in the System

• Go to your eBay Purchase History and find the item.
• If it is within 60 minutes of the offer being accepted, you can submit an official cancellation request. [1, 2]

3. If you are in the UK or EU (Consumer Rights Directive)

• Since you are located in Sweden, you benefit from strong EU distance-selling regulations. Business sellers are typically required to accept order cancellations/returns if you notify them shortly after the purchase. [1]

What happens if you don't pay?
If you simply refuse to pay, the transaction will not automatically disappear. After 4 days, the seller can cancel the item for non-payment. This will result in an unpaid item strike on your account. Accumulating multiple unpaid strikes can lead to buying restrictions or cause other sellers to automatically block you from buying their items. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

TL;DR: Your safest route is to communicate directly with the seller and mutually agree to cancel the sale