Selecting a Selling Format
Use this table to help you select the best selling format for your item.
Selling Format |
How It Works |
Length of Listing |
Online Auction |
Receive bids on your item and sell to the highest bidder in a fixed length of time.
Quantity: Single quantity listings only – you are only able to list one item per listing.
Where: Your listing appears in the eBay category (or categories) you choose and in search results. |
1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 days. |
Fixed Price
(Buy It Now) |
List your items at a set price, so buyers can purchase immediately without bidding.
You may also include the Best Offer option in your fixed price listings. This option lets you consider offers from buyers who will name their best price.
Quantity: Offer 1 or multiple items for sale at the Buy It Now price anytime during the listing.
Where: Your listing appears in the eBay category (or categories) you choose and in search results.
Note: Any fixed price (BIN) listing can use the Best Offer option at no extra cost. |
3, 5, 7, or 10 days.
14 days duration is available in the Cars and Motorcycles categories
30 days and Good ‘Til Cancelled (GTC) durations are available only to Store owners. There is no additional insertion fee for using these durations, but some Feature Fees are higher for 30-day and GTC listings. GTC duration listings renew automatically every 30 days unless all of the items sell, you end the listing, or the listing violates an eBay policy. Insertion fees are charged every 30 day period. |
Best Offer |
Sellers can add the Best Offer function to their Buy It Now or Classified Ad listing to give buyers the opportunity to make an offer for the item at a price different from the item price.
Buyers who choose to make an offer where the feature is available will have an opportunity to purchase items they want at their stated best price if the seller accepts their offer. |
Available as a free additional feature to fixed price or Buy It Now and Classified Ads. |
Classified Ad |
The Classified Ad listing format is available in only a few categories as a means to advertise your item and generate multiple sales leads.
No bidding takes place. Interested buyers fill out a contact form, and their information is sent to the seller as a lead.
This unique format does not enable buyers and sellers to transact online through eBay and is not available for eBay Feedback, unless the Best Offer feature is used. |
28 days |
Classified Ad with Best Offer |
Sellers who wish to sell items as pick up only can add the Best Offer function to a Classified listing. This gives buyers the opportunity to make an offer for the item at a price different from the item price.
Listings must offer Pick up only and feature single quantity .
Buyers who choose to make an offer where the feature is available will have an opportunity to purchase items they want at their stated best price if the seller accepts their offer. |
14 days |