Skip to main content
  Home > Help >Selling & seller fees>Selling basics>Selecting a selling format
Help
Browse help
Search the help pages 
(Does not search for items or products)		 SearchTips
Selecting a selling format
In this article


Selecting the best selling format for your item is key to having the greatest success with your sale. Consider:

  • How the format works

  • The listing duration

  • Fees

  • eBay services such as Feedback and what type of protection is offered if you have problems

A quick comparison

You can quickly compare eBay selling formats in the following table. Read on after that for details about each one.

Selling format

Highlights

Auction-style listing

Sell to the highest bidder or offer Buy It Now.

Duration: 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 days. Real estate: 30 days

Fees: Insertion, final value, and upgrade fees depend on the item and listing options used.

eBay services: Get complete access to eBay services such as Feedback and resolving transaction problems in the Resolution Center.

Fixed price listing

List items at a set price, so buyers can purchase right away (with no bidding). Best Offer is also an option.

Listings with variations: If you sell different versions of an item; for example, a T-shirt in various sizes and colors, you can list them in one fixed price listing.

Duration: 3, 5, 7, 10, or 30 days, or Good 'Til Cancelled

Fees: Insertion, final value, and upgrade fees depend on the item and listing options used. The Good 'Til Cancelled insertion fee is charged every 30 days.

eBay services: Get complete access to eBay services such as Feedback and resolving transaction problems in the Resolution Center.

Classified Ad

Advertise on eBay just as you'd use a traditional classified ad. You state a price, the buyer contacts you, and you handle the transaction personally.

To focus on buyers near you, consider creating a free ad at eBayClassifieds.com, a great option for selling large items that you don't want to ship. Find out more about advertising with classified ads.

Duration: Most run for 30 days with the option of Good 'Til Cancelled. The Good 'Til Cancelled insertion fee is charged every 30 days.

Real Estate ads: 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 30, or 90 days

Fees: Vary by category

eBay services: For both eBay.com Classified Ads and ads on eBay Classifieds.com, there's no access to eBay services like Feedback and the Resolution Center.

Motors National listing

Reach a nationwide audience.

Duration: 3, 5, 7, or 10 days

Fees:

  • Monthly subscription fee: None

  • Insertion fee per Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): varies

  • Successful listing fee: varies

  • Feature fees: varies

Get more details about National listing fees.

Bay services: Get complete access to eBay services such as resolving transaction problems in the Resolution Center, the eBay Motors vehicle protection programs, Feedback, and other services.

Motors Local Classified Ad

Sell within 200 miles of your vehicle. It's a good choice for selling older or lower-value vehicles that would interest local buyers.

Duration: 7 days

Fees: There's a flat fee based on the number of Local Classified Ads you place over a 12-month period:

  • 1 to 6 listings: Free

  • 7 or more listings: $15.00 each

Get more details about fees for Motors Local Classified Ads.

eBay services: There's no access to eBay services such as Feedback and resolving transaction problems in the Resolution Center.

Motors Local Market listing

For dealership subscribers only.

Good for late model, everyday, or unique vehicles that would interest local buyers.

Duration: 3, 5, 7, 10, or 21 days

Fees:

  • Monthly subscription: $1,000.00

  • Insertion fee per Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): none

  • Feature fees: Additional features aren't offered through eBay

Get more details about fees for Motors Local Market Listings.

eBay services: Get complete access to services such as resolving transaction problems in the Resolution Center, eBay vehicle protection programs, Feedback, a free toll-free phone number, and other services.

Auction-style listing

How it works
You receive bids on your item and sell to the highest bidder. You can also include a Buy It Now price, which lets the buyer purchase the item before the listing's end date.

  • You can list a one item or multiple items.

  • Your listing appears in the eBay category (or categories) you choose and in search results.

Duration
You can list auction-style for 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 days. Real estate auctions may also run for 30 days.
Fees

  • You're charged an insertion fee to list your item.

  • You're charged a final value fee after the sale.

  • There are fees for optional features and upgrades.

  • See fees for selling on eBay for details.

eBay services
You have complete access to eBay services such as Feedback and resolving transaction problems in the Resolution Center.

Fixed price listing

How it works
You list your items at a set price, so buyers can purchase right away (with no bidding).

  • You can include the Best Offer option in your fixed price listing and choose among buyers who name their highest offer.

  • You can offer one item or multiple items for sale at the Buy It Now price anytime during the listing.

  • Your listing appears in the eBay category (or categories) you choose and in search results.

Duration
You can list for 3, 5, 7, 10, or 30 days, or Good 'Til Cancelled. Good 'Til Cancelled renews automatically every 30 days unless all of the items sell, you end the listing, or the listing violates an eBay policy.
Fees

  • You're charged an insertion fee to list your item.

  • You're charged an insertion fee every 30-day period for Good 'Til Cancelled listings.

  • You're charged a final value fee after the sale.

  • There are fees for optional features and upgrades.

  • See fees for selling on eBay for details.

eBay services
You have complete access to eBay services such as Feedback and resolving transaction problems in the Resolution Center.

Classified Ad

How it works
You can advertise on eBay just as you'd use a traditional classified ad. You state a price, the buyer contacts you, and you handle the transaction personally.
You can create an ad for these categories:

Businesses & Websites for Sale

  • Advertising Inventory

  • Home-Based Businesses

  • Internet Businesses & Websites

  • Manufacturing

  • Marketing

  • Patents & Trademarks

  • Retail & General Stores

  • Service Businesses

  • Vending & Coin-op

  • Wholesale Trade & Distribution

  • Other

  • Wholesale Lots

Construction

  • Buildings, Modular & Pre-Fab

Trade Show Displays

  • Banner Systems & Signage

  • Pop-Up & Booth Displays

  • Tabletop & Portable Displays

  • Trade Show Display Accessories

  • Other

Real Estate

  • Commercial

  • Land

  • Manufactured Homes

  • Timeshares for Sale

  • Other Real Estate

Specialty Services

  • Advice & Instruction

  • Artistic Services

  • Custom Clothing & Jewelry

  • eBay Auction Services

  • Graphic & Logo Design

  • Home Improvement Services

  • Media Editing & Duplication

  • Printing & Personalization

  • Restoration & Repair

  • Web & Computer Services

  • Other Services

Travel

  • Airline

  • Campground and RV Parks

  • Car Rental

  • Cruises

  • Lodging

  • Luggage

  • Maps

  • Rail

  • Travel Accessories

  • Vacation Packages

  • Other

Everything Else

  • Advertising Opportunities

  • eBay User Tool

  • Funeral & Cemetery

  • Information Products

  • Memberships

  • Reward Pts, Incentive Progs > Other

Duration
Most Classified Ads run for 30 days with the option of listing Good 'Til Cancelled. Good 'Til Cancelled listings renew automatically every 30 days unless all of the items sell, you end the listing, or the listing violates an eBay policy.
Real Estate ads can run for 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 30, or 90 days.
Fees

  • The insertion fee for ads varies by category.

  • Insertion fees are charged every 30-day period for Good 'Til Cancelled listings.

  • There's no final value fee.

  • There are fees for optional features and upgrades.

  • See Classified Ad fees for more info.

  • See fees for Real Estate for details.

eBay services
Because Classified Ads are posted on eBay but the transaction takes place off eBay, you don't have access to eBay services such as Feedback and resolving transaction problems in the Resolution Center.

Motors National listing

How it works
Anyone in the United States with an eBay seller account can list their vehicle nationally. This is a good choice for older, more unique cars.

  • Local buyers will also see your listing if your ZIP code is within their search range.

  • You can sell using auction-style, Buy It Now, and Best Offer formats.

Duration
 You can list for 3, 5, 7, or 10 days.
Fees 

  • Monthly subscription fee: none

  • Insertion fee per Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): varies

  • Successful listing fee: varies

  • Feature fees: varies

eBay services
Motors National listings have complete access to eBay services such as resolving transaction problems in the Resolution Center, eBay vehicle protection programs, Feedback, and other services.
Get more info on how to sell a vehicle on eBay.

Motors Local Classified Ad

How it works
You can save money on your vehicle sale using a Motors Local Classified Ad. This is a good choice if you're listing an older or lower-value vehicle that would interest local buyers.

  • Your listing is fixed within 200 miles of your vehicle.

  • Like traditional classified ads, you state a price and payment method, and the buyer contacts you.

  • You can include your phone number and email address in the listing. You can also request the buyer's email address so you can contact them. You can talk to numerous buyers and negotiate a price.

  • Buyers like this because they can take a look at the vehicle and meet the seller before the sale. They also save on shipping.

  • Buyers can find your ad when they search for a vehicle, and they will find local listings faster when they enter a ZIP code in Motors.

    See selling your vehicle locally for more details.

Duration
7 days
Fees
You're charged a flat fee based on the number of local Classified Ads you place over a 12-month period:

  • 1 to 6 listings: Free

  • 7 or more listings: $15.00 each

  • Successful listing fee: none

  • Optional feature and listing upgrade fees still apply.

eBay services
Because Classified Ads are posted on eBay but the transaction is completed off eBay, you don't have access to eBay services such as Feedback and resolving transaction problems in the Resolution Center.

Motors Local Market listing (for dealership subscribers only)

How it works
Motors Local Market listings are for dealers with a Local Market subscription. (Dealers also need to work with a Preferred Solution Provider for uploads and other productivity tools.) Local Market listings are good for late model, everyday, or unique vehicles that would interest local rather than national buyers.

  • Like traditional classified ads, you state a price and the buyer contacts you.

  • You can include your phone number and email address in the listing. You can also request the buyer's contact information. You can talk to numerous buyers and negotiate a price.

  • Buyers like this because they can take a look at the vehicle and meet the seller before the sale. They also save on shipping.

  • Buyers can find your ad when they search for a vehicle, and they will find local listings faster when they enter a ZIP code or use the Find Local Vehicles search box in Motors.

  • You list using the Classified Ad format with the Best Offer option.

Duration
Although you can list a car for 3, 5, 7, 10, or 21 days (10- or 21-day listings incur an additional fee), our most successful dealers find that 5 or 7 days work best.
Fees 

  • Monthly subscription: $1,000.00

  • Insertion fee per Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): none

  • Feature fees: Additional features aren't offered through eBay

eBay services
Local Market dealers have complete access to eBay services such as resolving transaction problems in the Resolution Center, eBay vehicle protection programs, Feedback, a free toll-free phone number, and other services.
Find out more at the eBay Motors Dealer Hub.
Contact Customer Support
If you're looking for more help or have a question to ask, please contact us.
Contact us

Have a question? We can help.

 Contact us

Ask eBay members

Get help from other eBay members. Visit the Answer Center to post a question.

Related help topics