PayPal

PayPal is the preferred payment method for most eBay buyers and sellers. PayPal lets you send payments quickly and securely online using a credit card or bank account.

Learn more about paying with PayPal.

√ Payment is traceable. You can track the status of your payment using My eBay or your PayPal account.

√ Payment is convenient and immediate. You pay right from the item listing page and your payment is deposited directly into the seller's account.

√ You don’t have to use a credit card. You can transfer money directly from your bank account.

√ If you use a credit card, sellers don't see your card number. It’s safely encrypted through PayPal's server to help minimize any risk of unauthorized use.

√ On eligible transactions you’re covered by PayPal Purchase Protection for up to the full purchase price of your item, plus original shipping charges.

Credit card to a seller with an Internet merchant account

√ Payment is convenient and immediate. You pay directly from the item listing page or email notification.

√ Your payment is secure. When you pay with a credit card using the eBay Checkout Pay Now button, your payment is processed without the seller ever seeing your credit card number. The seller receives email notification of your payment.

√ Payment is traceable. You can track the status of your payment using My eBay or your credit card account.

√ You may have some liability coverage. Your credit card company may provide a certain level of purchase protection. Contact your credit card company to learn more.

ProPay

ProPay lets sellers accept credit cards without an Internet merchant account.

Learn more about paying with ProPay.

√ Payment is traceable. You can track the status of your payment using My eBay or your credit card account.

√ Payment is convenient and immediate. You pay directly from the item listing page and the seller receives notification of your credit card payment.

√ You may have some liability coverage. Your credit card company may provide a certain level of purchase protection. Contact your credit card company to learn more. (ProPay doesn't offer its own buyer protection program.)

√ You don't need to register with ProPay to make payments.

Pay upon pickup

Along with other allowed payment methods, sellers can also offer this option.

√ You have an opportunity to inspect items in person at the time of payment.

√ You can coordinate pickup location and time with the seller at a time and place that’s convenient for you both. (Be sure to document your payment and proof of delivery.)

√ You don’t have to pay shipping costs, although some sellers have a surcharge for in-person pickup.

√ You can choose whatever payment method your seller specifies in the listing, including cheques, money orders, cash, PayPal, or credit card. Buyer protection varies by payment method.

Escrow

This is recommended for high-priced items. Learn more about how escrow works and which escrow sites are eBay approved.

√ Payment is held by the escrow service until you receive and approve the item.

Note: There have been reports of fraudulent sellers using nonexistent escrow companies. If you use an escrow service other than eBay’s recommended escrow partner, do your homework and make sure you verify the reputation and reliability of the company.

Other payment methods

Cheques, money orders, and bank wire transfers aren’t allowed for most eBay purchases.

But sellers can offer these payment methods for certain items in some categories, including Motors, Capital and Business Equipment, and Real Estate.

For more on exceptions, see Accepted Payments policy.

√ Cheques and money orders are traceable to a particular mailing address and provide proof of payment. (While fraud is rare, money is very difficult to recover when it occurs.)

√ If you run into a problem before the cheque is cashed, most banks offer a stop-payment service. Some money order services might also offer this service. 

√ For bank transfers, payment is deposited immediately into the seller’s account .

Note: Remember that if you pay by cheque, your seller will wait for the funds to clear before shipping your item.