Buyer Education - eBay Payment Options

Before you buy an item, always make sure that the seller's payment methods will work for you.

There are many ways you can pay for purchases on eBay and most sellers offer more than one type of payment method. Some methods offer more purchase protection than others (should something go wrong), so here's some information on ways you can pay.

If you are paying for an eBay item and the seller offers PayPal as a payment option, simply return to the eBay listing page and click the Pay Now button.

If the seller has specified postage and handling costs, all you need to do is confirm your postal address and select PayPal as the payment method. You will be taken to the PayPal Web site to send your payment. If you do not already have a PayPal account, one will be created for you. At PayPal you can specify how you would like to fund your PayPal payment (PayPal balance or credit card) and send the payment. That's all there is to it.

If your seller did not specify postage and handling costs, you can enter an amount to pay. Read the item description and your seller's payment instructions carefully to see if you need to include additional charges such as international postage. Once you confirm your postal address and enter the final payment amounts, just select PayPal as the payment method and you will be taken to the PayPal Web site to send your payment.

If your seller did not specify postage and handling costs and you do not know how much to pay, you can send an email to the seller to request the total payment amount. You can then return to your item listing, click on the "Pay Now" button and initiate payment.

PayPal Buyer Protection

If you pay by PayPal on eBay.com.au you can also be confident that your purchase is eligible for $400 under PayPal Buyer Protection if it doesn't arrive or if it is significantly not as described by the seller. Certain items are covered up to $3,000. Conditions apply. Read the updated PayPal Buyer Protection policy for full details and the PayPal Acceptable Use policy for exclusions.

This method allows you to deposit funds directly into the seller's bank account. It can take up to 3 days for your funds to clear depending on the bank you use. Be aware that many sellers have multiple items for sale so you must ensure you label your payment accurately.

When completing the payment via Internet banking, always state your eBay user ID or item number. It is good practice to e-mail the transfer confirmation screen or forward the confirmation e-mail (where applicable) to your seller to inform them you have have paid. Most branches won't let you specify a reference number or word when you pay in person. It is good practice to let your seller know where you deposited it, when, and how much the amount was.

When the listing ends, you go through Checkout to get the information you need to pay the total amount owing to the seller:

Select the Bank Deposit Express Payment method during Checkout.
On the Checkout: Submit Payment to Seller page, click "View seller's bank account information" to get the seller's banking information and view the seller's message. You can either copy and paste the bank account information into your online banking form to transfer the funds to the seller's bank account or you can print the information and deposit money via a bank branch.

If you are not sure how to transfer money to another person's account through Internet banking, simply contact your bank for assistance.

Money Orders are a convenient, safe and economical alternative to personal and bank cheques. Be aware that it could take up to 7 days for the seller to receive your money order and for it to be cashed at a Post Office.

Paying for an item using a Money Order means it is:

Traceable to a particular mailing address.
Easy to buy and cash at postal locations in Australia.
Accepted as a form of currency.
Not necessary to have a bank account.
Possible to be issued in US$.
Some services offer the option to stop a Money Order if problems arise before the payment is cashed.

Some sellers will allow you to pay by cheque. Be aware that sellers will not send your item until the funds clear into his / her account. This can take up to 7 - 10 days for the seller to receive your cheque in the mail and for it to clear. Always inform the seller when you are paying by cheque and when you have posted it.

Paying by cheque means:

It is traceable to a particular mailing address.
It provides proof of payment.
Most banks offer a stop payment service if problems arise before the cheque is cashed.

Some sellers have merchant facilities which allows you to pay them via credit card. When paying by credit card over the Internet, always make sure you input your details over a secure site.

Paying with credit card means your payment is:

Traceable
Immediate and convenient
Limited liability: Most credit card issuers provide online protection. Please read your cardholder agreement for details.