This article is for sellers. It explains when an item can be withdrawn from a sale, what changes depending on the timing of the request, and how to proceed.
Summary
- Withdrawing an item is done by request to our teams: there's no automatic action available from your Personal Space.
- The more advance notice you give, the simpler it is: before the sale opens, it has no consequences at all.
- After closing, a withdrawal means cancelling the invoice, and possibly refunding the buyer.
- Once the item has been collected by the buyer, the sale can no longer be easily undone.
1. When to request a withdrawal
- The item was sold elsewhere, or is no longer available.
- The item was damaged between publication and the sale.
- A significant error was found in the listing and can no longer be corrected.
- An internal decision within your organization calls the sale into question.
Listing an item commits your organization to bidders. Withdrawal should remain exceptional: an item withdrawn mid-sale disappoints buyers who placed bids, sometimes after travelling for a viewing.
2. How to request a withdrawal
- Gather the useful information: the item's exact title, its reference if you know it, and the sale's closing date.
- Contact customer service or your Agorastore contact.
- State the reason for the withdrawal: it's recorded with the request.
- Our teams confirm how it will be handled and any follow-up, especially if a buyer was already involved.
Don't wait until the last minute: a request made a few hours before closing may arrive too late to be processed before the item is awarded.
3. What happens depending on the timing of the request
Timing | Consequences |
Before the sale opens | The item is simply withdrawn. It doesn't appear on the marketplace and no buyer is affected. |
During the sale | The item disappears from the marketplace, from your sales list, and from bidders' tracking lists. Any bids placed are void. |
After closing, before invoicing | The sale is marked as not awarded. The item can then be relisted. |
After invoicing, before payment | The sale invoice and associated fees are cancelled. The buyer is notified by email and the payment link is deactivated. |
After payment, before collection | The buyer is refunded in full for the amounts paid, sale and fees included, and is notified. |
After the item is collected | The sale is considered completed. Any correction is handled case by case with our teams. |
4. The buyer doesn't pay: what happens?
This case isn't a withdrawal on your part, but it also results in the sale being cancelled.
- The buyer receives several payment reminders.
- Without payment from them, the sale is cancelled for non-payment.
- You're notified by email: you can then relist your item or do with it as you wish.
In this situation, relisting is often the best option: your listing is already ready and the item quickly regains visibility.
5. After the withdrawal
- The item is no longer visible on the marketplace.
- Depending on the situation, it can be relisted, with or without changes to the listing.
- No commission is due on a sale cancelled before it's completed.
Our tips
- Check the item's actual availability before publishing your listing, especially if you're also offering it through another channel.
- Notify our teams as soon as you know a withdrawal will be needed, even if the decision isn't final yet.
- Document the reason: it makes the conversation with the buyer easier.
- Whenever possible, prefer letting the sale run its course: a late withdrawal affects bidders' trust.
Frequently asked questions
Can I withdraw my item myself from my Personal Space?
No. Withdrawal goes through our teams, so we can check the consequences for bidders and, where relevant, for the buyer.
Are bidders notified?
The item disappears from their tracking lists. Depending on the situation, our teams reach out to the people concerned.
My item was sold, can I still cancel?
It's possible as long as the item hasn't been collected, but it means cancelling the invoice, and possibly refunding the buyer. Contact customer service right away.
Will I have to pay fees in case of a withdrawal?
A sale cancelled before completion doesn't generate a commission. The terms applicable to your organization are set out in your pricing terms.
Can I relist the item after a withdrawal?
Yes, in most cases. Mention it in your request so our teams can prepare the relisting.
What if the buyer doesn't show up for collection?
Report it to customer service: depending on how long it's been since payment, a reminder or a resolution may be arranged.