eBay tips and tricks Paying

What’s the best way to pay for an item?

If your bid is successful you’ll be told by email. It will contain details of the types of payment that the seller accepts; credit or debit card or PayPal, for example.

eBay’s preferred payment method is electronic payment system, PayPal, which it owns. PayPal transfers funds between buyers and sellers without them having to exchange bank account details. To use PayPal first you’ll need to sign up for a PayPal account.

Some sellers may ask for you to pay via money transfer service Western Union. Don’t.

eBay has banned the use of these transactions on the website because money transfers don’t leave an electronic paper trail or proof of payment.

What happens if things go wrong?

Bookmark the eBay safety centre for access to tips on staying safe

Since eBay only facilitates transactions it is not responsible for them. As such, your first port of call is to contact the seller via the website.

If this fails, you can open an ‘Item not received or significantly not as described’ dispute from 10 to 60 days after the day the listing ended.

eBay contacts the seller and the seller can choose whether to respond via eBay or chat to you directly. If your concerns aren't resolved, you can escalate this to a claim, which will be paid under eBay’s standard protection scheme.

If you believe that you've been a victim of fraud, you should report it to eBay, which will remove the seller from the site.

If you used PayPal, you’re eligible for up to £500 worth of protection (check the seller information part of the site to see if the item you are buying qualifies for PayPal Buyer protection).

You must register a claim within 30 days of ordering.

You may be eligible under eBay’s standard purchase protection for up to £120.