Protecting yourself as a seller

Top questions

I haven’t been paid. What can I do?

What are the rules and policies for listing items on eBay?

Why did eBay remove my listing?

Solve a problem

Click the Advanced Search link at the top of most pages. On the left side of the page, click the Find contact information link and follow the instructions.

In the Resolution Center, we help you work with your buyer to resolve problems. If you don’t receive payment for an item or you want to cancel a transaction, go to the Resolution Center. For problems that aren’t about transactions, for example, Feedback issues, contact Customer Support.

First, send your buyer a friendly email. If that doesn’t work, try to reach the buyer by phone. If you don’t get a response, you can go to the Resolution Center to open an unpaid item case. If the problem remains unresolved, you'll receive a final value fee credit when you close the case. You can then make a Second Chance Offer to another bidder, or relist the item. If you relist the item, you may qualify for an insertion fee credit.

My buyer backed out of the sale (but we’re on good terms).

For an active listing, agree to let the buyer cancel the bid. If the listing already ended, you can go to the Resolution Center and cancel the transaction.

For an active listing, end your listing early. If the listing has ended, you can go to the Resolution Center and cancel the transaction.

Help topics

Basics

How sellers can avoid transaction problems
These tips can help make your transactions trouble free.

Knowing your buyer
The more you know about your buyer, the better your chance of a successful sale.

What to do when a buyer doesn't pay (unpaid item process)
When a buyer doesn't pay, we’ll work with you to help resolve the situation.

Canceling a transaction
Find out what to do if you and your buyer agree not to complete a sale

Resolving transaction problems in the Resolution Center
If you have a problem with a transaction, contact your buyer. If that doesn't work, you can open a case in our Resolution Center

Contacting eBay members
Trying to get in touch with someone? Find out how.

Communicating with your trading partner
Sometimes miscommunications happen. Get tips on how to work things out.

Reporting problems with your buyer

Learn what to do if you think your buyer is violating eBay policies, or if you are having other problems with a buyer.

Limits on buyer activity
To protect sellers, we sometimes step in to restrict what buyers can do.

Limits on seller activity
To protect buyers, we sometimes step in to restrict what sellers can do.

Beyond the basics

Reporting inappropriate trading
When members report cases of inappropriate trading behavior, we'll try to resolve the issue.

eBay's role when you need to resolve a problem
Our goal is to promote a safe place for our members to buy and sell. See what we can do if you have any problems.

Legal info

Creating legally compliant listings
Read our guidelines to help you understand basic legal issues for buying and selling.

Trademark and domain name basics
Find out why intellectual property rights must be protected.

Have a question? We can help.

Ask eBay members

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

Shortcuts

Find a member

Open a case in our Resolution Center

Rules & policies

Knowing the rules for sellers

Unpaid item policy

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