In this article
	When should I pay? What payment method should I use? How do I make an online payment? What if a seller wants to change payment methods? The fine print

When should I pay?

All sellers appreciate quick payment and most ship after receiving payment, so it's good to pay as soon as you win or commit to buy an item. To make an online payment, just click the Pay Now button in the email notification or the listing The seller will be paid and know to ship your item immediately. Otherwise, we recommend paying within 3 days of the sale. Some sellers include information on how quickly they expect to be paid in their listings.

What payment method should I use?

How you pay for items you buy on eBay depends on the payment options offered by the seller. Before you bid, read the item description carefully to learn what kinds of payments the seller accepts.  

Cash, checks, and other nonsecure methods aren't allowed for most eBay purchases, with a few exceptions.

All sellers offer at least one of the approved electronic payment methods—PayPal, ProPay, Moneybookers, or Paymate—or accept credit card payments through their merchant credit card account. (When you pay with a credit card to the seller's merchant account using the Pay Now button, your payment is securely processed without the seller seeing your credit card number.)

There's also the option of payment upon pickup, where you can use whatever method the seller specifies, including cash.

To compare payment methods, see choosing a payment method (for buyers).

If you have questions about your payment, contact your seller.

Tip: On search results pages, you can set the search option to show only listings that accept the payment methods you want to use.

How do I make an online payment?

After you’ve won an auction-style listing or clicked the Buy It Now button, you’ll see the Pay Now button:

• In the confirmation email you receive from eBay

• In the listing

• In the Won section of My eBay

• In your invoice email

What if a seller wants to change payment methods?

Sellers can’t require you to use payment methods that aren’t allowed on eBay or weren't described in the listing. If a seller wants to change payment methods after a listing ends, you can still pay using one of the methods mentioned in the original listing. For details, see the accepted payments policy.

The fine print

• If your seller doesn't use eBay checkout, you’ll receive an invoice or other payment instructions from the seller to help you complete your purchase.

• PayPal, Moneybookers, ProPay, and Paymate are available for U.S. purchases only and don't apply to Motors, Real Estate, Business and Industrial, Adult Only, or capital equipment purchases.

• Checks, money orders, and bank wire transfers aren't allowed for most eBay purchases. However,you can use these payment methods to buy vehicles, capital and business equipment, real estate, items in the Adult Only category, and items you pick up in person. For details, see the accepted payments policy.

• Contact your seller right away with any questions about payment. Once you've won or bought an item, you need to pay within 7 days or the seller may open a case in our Resolution Center. Opening a case creates a dialogue between sellers and buyers and helps resolve transaction problems.

• If you have questions about a payment or haven't received your item, contact your seller first—that's usually the fastest way to resolve any problems.

• If you've had a problem with your purchase, and can't resolve it with the seller, contact us so we can help. Click the My item hasn't arrived yet, what do I do? or What can I do when I get an item that's not as described? link and follow the instructions.