In this article
	Policy overview Some examples Additional information Why does eBay have this policy?

Policy overview

Presale listings generally consist of items that are sold before they're available to the public, such as video games, tickets, and custom-made items. (For the rules on magazine subscriptions and certain promotional items and events, see Additional information.) Often the items aren't in the seller's control or possession when they're listed.

If you want to sell presale items, be sure to meet the following criteria:

• Guarantee that the item will be available for shipping within 30 days from the date the listing ends or the date the item is purchased from an eBay Store.

• Clearly indicate in the listing that the item is a presale item and it will be shipped within 30 days from the date the listing ends or the date the item is purchased. Also, it's important that you use the default font size of 3 in the listing form so people can easily see these sale terms.

Make sure your listing follows these guidelines. If it doesn't, it may be removed, and you may be subject to a range of other actions, including restrictions of your buying and selling privileges and suspension of your account.

Some examples

• Alice sells video games. She will receive a shipment of a new, very desirable video game from the publisher within 39 days. She starts a 10-day auction on eBay. Her listing clearly states that these games are offered as presale items, and that she will ship them to buyers within 30 days from the date the listing ends. Alice's listing complies with this policy.

• Albert, Alice's competitor, also sells video games. He will also receive his shipment from the publisher within 39 days. Albert starts an auction that's almost identical to Alice's, except he chooses a 5-day format. Albert is violating this policy because he won't be able to ship the item within 30 days from the date the listing ends.

Additional information

Buyer protection programs

If you bought a presale item that you didn't receive, you have 45 days from the date the listing ended to open a case on eBay. Find out more about eBay's buyer protection programs.

Magazine subscriptions

Magazine subscriptions (which are considered presale items) aren't allowed to be sold on eBay because the first issue generally can't be delivered within 30 days of the purchase date due to the publisher's processing time.

Promotional items and events

For promotional items and events, eBay, at its discretion, may approve a manufacturer like the game publisher mentioned in the examples above to sell items outside of the 30-day presale guideline—as long as the manufacturer supplies the items. These exceptions will be made only for certain promotions and must be approved by eBay before listing the items.

Why does eBay have this policy?

The presale listing guidelines are designed to allow members to buy and sell items that aren't available yet and to protect members from a potentially bad transaction.