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When should I pay?
In general, you're expected to pay as soon as possible and no later than 2 days after you win or buy an item. You can pay by clicking the Pay Now button in the email notification or in the listing. The seller will be paid and will know to ship your item immediately. Contact your seller right away with any questions about payment.
How do I pay for an item?
No matter which payment method you use, clicking the Pay Now button is the fastest way to pay on eBay. For more information on how to find this button and make a payment, see How do I pay for my item?
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 payment methods the seller accepts.
Cash, checks, and other non-secure 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, or Skrill—or accept credit card payments through their merchant credit card account. (When you pay with a credit card using the Pay Now button, your seller never sees your credit card number.)
In some circumstances, there may also be the option of payment upon pickup, where you can use whatever payment 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.
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
On the invoice email we send you on behalf of the seller
In the Won section of My eBay
To pay for an item:Click the Pay Now button.
Check your shipping information. If you need to correct or update anything, click the Change shipping address link.
Review your purchase, including shipping, and taxes. Select the check box next to the items you want to pay for. If the seller offers more than one shipping option, select the one you want. If you're paying with an e-gift certificate, coupon, or gift card, enter the redemption code (you'll need to pay with PayPal to redeem any eBay coupons or gift cards). If you have questions about the total amount you owe, click the Request total from seller link.
Click the Continue button.
Confirm your payment. Make sure your shipping details, payment method, and order details are correct. If you're paying with PayPal, you can also give a donation to a nonprofit using Give at Checkout.
Click the Confirm Your Payment button. You'll receive an email confirming receipt of your payment and letting you know when your item will ship.
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.
Other terms
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, Skrill, and ProPay are available for U.S. purchases only and aren't available for eBay Motors, Real Estate, Business & Industrial, or capital equipment purchases.
Checks, money orders, and bank wire transfers aren't allowed for most eBay purchases. But 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're expected to pay as soon as possible and no later than 2 days after you win or buy an item. If you don't pay for your item, the seller may open a case to work this out with you in our Resolution Center.
