[ca] Won Vehicle At Online Auction, Auction House Invoiced Me, Then Tried To Cancel And Changed The Listing Afterward

Location: California

I won a used vehicle in a California online auction. Bidding closed, I was the highest bidder, and the auction company sent me an invoice for my winning bid plus the buyer’s premium. They also separately sent wire instructions for payment.

The auction terms say bidders are contractually bound to pay, bid cancellations aren’t accepted, and all sales are final. The vehicle listing did not show a reserve or say the sale was subject to seller approval.

Afterward, the auction company called and told me the seller had intended to set a substantially higher reserve, but it hadn’t been added. They now want to cancel the sale.

When I pointed out there was no reserve, they told me the listing said the sale was “subject to seller confirmation.”
Fortunately, I had screenshots. That language wasn’t there.

After our phone call, the listing was edited to add “Subject to Seller Confirmation.” I have before-and-after screenshots, along with the original terms, closed listing, invoice, and payment instructions.

I have not agreed to cancel and remain ready to pay. I want the vehicle.

Their terms make it clear that if I had buyer’s remorse or made a bidding mistake, I couldn’t back out. I’m having trouble understanding why the seller can back out because they failed to set the reserve they intended.

My questions:

Does this sound like an enforceable sale under California law?

Can the seller cancel after the auction closed and I was invoiced because they intended to set a reserve but didn’t?

And if the sale is enforceable, could I potentially seek specific performance since I want the vehicle itself?

I’m deliberately leaving out identifying details while I figure out how to proceed. Your help is appreciated!