Key Takeaways
- Bids (offers) on Marktplaats are generally not binding.
- Bidders often have the option to withdraw their bid.
- Legal or contractual obligations may arise in special cases (after acceptance or exchange of details).
Policy & Practice on Marktplaats Bids and Withdrawals
Are Bids Binding on Marktplaats?
In practice, bids in Marktplaats are often not binding. Even if someone accepts a bid, the seller may still decide to go with another offer.
How to Remove a Bid (“Withdraw Offer”)
Marktplaats provides a “Bod Verwijderen” (remove bid) help page explaining how bidders can cancel their offers.
Etiquette sites also list steps: log in → go to “Favorites” → select the ad → click “Trek je bod in” (withdraw your bid).
Nuances & Edge Cases
If the bidder and seller have exchanged details or agreed more concretely, retracting a bid might raise legal complications.
The accepted bid might still not force the seller, depending on contract formation in Dutch law.
Community & YouTube Example
A Reddit user notes: “You can also remove the bid after some time if there is no response.” (translated)
A YouTube video “5 Tips for ‘FREE’ Better Selling on Marktplaats” is active and offers guidance.
Variants & Uncertainties
- In ordinary cases, yes — a bidder likely can withdraw their bid.
- But if formal acceptance or data exchange occurred, the situation is more complex.
- Platform help instructions show removal steps but don’t guarantee universal success.
Terms & Translations
“Withdraw your bid”
Translation of Dutch “Trek je bod in”, meaning to cancel or retract your offer.
Final Thoughts
Given the rules and common practice, you can legitimately explain you believed bids disappear, and ask why he didn’t cancel his own bid. Bids tend not to be binding, but exceptions exist when more formal agreement was reached.
Sources
- Bod Verwijderen (Remove Bid) – Marktplaats help page: https://www.marktplaats.nl/q/bod%2Bverwijderen/
- Reddit discussion “Half Marktplaats doesn’t get how bidding works” (translated quote): https://www.reddit.com/r/tokkiemarktplaats/comments/1bigp6o/
- Etiquette and steps to remove a bid: https://www.huisvlijt.com/marktplaats-gedragsregels-en-etiquette/
- “I withdrew my bid, must I pay?” (legal nuance): https://www.bnnvara.nl/kassa/vraag-beantwoord/geldzaken-recht/ik-heb-via-marktplaats-een-mijn-bod-ingetrokken-ben-ik-nu-verplicht-te-betalen
- “Bid accepted but sells to another” (nonbinding bid discussion): https://www.bnnvara.nl/kassa/vraag-beantwoord/geldzaken-recht/marktplaats-bod-geaccepteerd-maar-verkoopt-aan-een-ander
- YouTube: 5 Tips for “FREE” Better Selling on Marktplaats (live): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMLhu3JM-zo
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 