Payment options for most listings Escrow services for high-priced items Payment tips The small print

Offering your buyers safe and convenient payment choices can help your sale go smoothly, get you good feedback, and bring them back for more.

Payment options for most listings

All sellers on eBay.co.uk must offer PayPal as a payment method. PayPal is a secure online payment method, which allows you to pay or get paid quickly and easily without sharing any of your financial information with the other user. You may also offer several other payment options, including payment by cheque, postal order, credit card (if you have your own processing capabilities), or payment on collection. You can set most payment preferences using My eBay.

While you may accept cheques and postal orders if necessary for payment on collection sales, we do not recommend this as it causes buyers to be nervous about transacting and may create risk for you as a seller with stopped payments.

PayPal

	How does it work? When checking out the buyer simply logs into their PayPal account and pays with a payment method such as a debit or credit card, their bank account, or money held in their PayPal account balance.
	Do I need to register? You will need to sign up once you receive money via PayPal, in order to collect your payment.
	Do I pay a fee as a seller? There is a fee for sellers, but this is comparable to what you'd pay if you were to set up an online shop and get a bank to process credit and debit card payments. There are no set-up costs or monthly fees.
	Does the buyer have to register? No, but they can. If the buyer is registered, they can pay from their PayPal account.
	Does the buyer have to sign up to PayPal? No, buyers have the option of paying with their credit or debit card directly. They may sign up to PayPal if they wish, however.
	Does the buyer pay a fee? There is absolutely no fee for using PayPal to shop online in the UK. And when you use PayPal to pay for items on eBay, your purchase could be automatically protected by eBay Buyer Protection.
	How soon am I paid? In most cases immediately to your PayPal account.
	Is there seller protection? Yes. See the key rules of PayPal Seller Protection.
	Is there buyer protection? Yes. See eBay Buyer Protection, which is designed to be simple and fast.
	Does this method require eBay checkout? Yes.
	Is there help if I have a transaction problem? If you experience a problem with your transaction, you can find help in the PayPal Safety Advice Centre for sellers.

Payment on collection

	How does it work? Your buyer pays you when they pick up the item.
	Do I need to register? No
	Do I pay a fee? No
	Does the buyer have to register? No
	Does the buyer pay a fee? No
	How soon am I paid? Immediately. In-person payment methods can include cheques, postal orders, cash, PayPal, or credit card. In your listing, be clear about which of these payment methods you’ll accept. Most sellers don't offer cheques or postal orders, because if they don't clear after the buyer has picked up the item, the seller has little or no recourse. See Accepted Payments policy.
	Is there seller protection? Yes. With eBay Buyer Protection, sellers are protected when they show an item was properly described.
	Is there buyer protection? Yes, see eBay Buyer Protection, and make sure you pay through an electronic payment method. Cash or cheques are not covered by the programme.
	Does this method require eBay checkout? No
	Is there help if I have a transaction problem? Yes, through the eBay Resolution Centre. See what to do if a buyer doesn't pay.

Escrow services for high-priced items

For high-priced items, many sellers use eBay's approved escrow service. Learn more about using an escrow service.

Payment tips

• We don’t recommend cash or cash wire transfers as payment methods, as they don't provide transaction protection, payments are difficult to trace, and if you run into trouble, there’s often little or no remedy.

• Never accept overpayments from buyers for items, especially if the buyer asks to be reimbursed for overpayment. Requests like this are often part of a counterfeit banker's draft scheme. See avoiding payment problems.

The small print

• The payment methods described in this article are for eBay.co.uk and eBay.ie listings only. For payment options in other countries, see the eBay help pages for that country.

• Sellers can’t require buyers to pay using methods that aren’t allowed on eBay or that they didn't name in their listing. For details, see Accepted Payments Policy.