Definition: A pulled auction is an auction listing that has been removed by eBay before its designated closing time and which is considered null and void, without a winner. eBay generally pulls auctions for one of the following reasons:
- The auction listing is in violation of eBay rules. In practice, this most commonly means that the item up for sale appears on eBay's banned items list, but there are other circumstances having to do with the listing itself when eBay may pull a listing even if the item itself isn't banned per se.
- The auction listing is in violation of one or more laws. eBay will pull a listing reported by members or by law enforcement to offer an illegal item or to offer illegal content in the item description itself.
- The seller in question has been suspended. When eBay suspends a seller, all in-progress auctions belonging to the seller are canceled and all bids considered null and void. Bidders on such auctions receive an email informing them that this is the case.
If you have bid on an auction that has subsequently been pulled, you may safely bid on another, since you can no longer win the auction in question. Under no circumstances should you contact the seller or be receptive outside-of-eBay offers by the seller.
If you are the seller of an item that has been pulled, check your email for contact from eBay explaining the nature of the violation and the consequences for you as a seller.
