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Faster, more secure checkout experience

Checks and money orders no longer allowed
Originally posted August 20, 2008. Updated January 8, 2009

As of October, 2008, all items listed on eBay.com must be paid for using one of the following approved payment options:
  • Direct credit or debit card payment via a merchant credit card account
  • PayPal
  • ProPay
  • Moneybookers (starting early February 2009)
  • Paymate (starting early February 2009)
  • Payment on pick-up
Paper payment methods such as checks and money orders will no longer be accepted on eBay.com.

By early 2009, all approved electronic payment methods will be integrated into eBay checkout. For example, buyers will be able to enter their credit card number directly into eBay checkout, and the payment will be routed to the seller's Internet merchant account or to their PayPal account.

Please note that the new payments policy does not apply to the vehicles categories in Motors, capital equipment categories in Business & Industrial, Adults Only, or Real Estate.

Meeting expectations for online payments

Buyers expect online checkout and payment to be safe, reliable and fast. That's what our largest competitors offer. We need to provide the same or better experience to attract and retain buyers and generate increased sales for our sellers. Electronic payment methods integrated into eBay checkout are necessary to deliver this experience. The vast majority of ecommerce shoppers, including eBay buyers, now use online payment methods. On eBay.com over 90% of transactions are paid with online payment methods and the use of offline paper methods has declined by 40% over the last 3 years.

Better for buyers Better for sellers
More Consistent:
For approximately 1 out of 5 transactions on eBay today, you are required to leave the site to pay for an item. Integrating approved payment methods into eBay checkout provides a consistent and trusted experience.

Safer:
Individuals who pay with a check or money order on eBay.com, are 80% more likely to file an "item not received" dispute, and 50% more likely to leave a negative feedback than buyers who pay with PayPal or a credit card. Prohibiting paper payments greatly reduces your exposure to fraudulent activity.

If something does go wrong, you likely have more recourse with electronic payment methods. As of October 22, 2008, eligible items paid with PayPal on eBay.com are now covered by PayPal Buyer Protection for the full purchase price and original shipping costs and at no additional cost. There is no longer a coverage limit. See eligibility.

Faster:
Your sellers will be paid faster with electronic payment methods, so they can ship items to you quickly. 		Faster and More Efficient:
Electronic payment methods give you faster access to funds, which means earlier shipments and an increase in buyer satisfaction.

More Reliable:
You will no longer be susceptible to fraudulent money orders which many sellers tell us is a significant risk. Plus, listings on eBay.com that don't accept PayPal or credit cards are more than twice as likely to experience an unpaid item than listings that only accept PayPal and/or credit card.

As of October 22, 2008, PayPal Seller Protection now covers US sellers with no annual limit for eBay items shipped to over 190 countries—even if the address is unconfirmed—at no additional cost. See eligibility

More Sales
These payment changes should also increase buyer confidence in shopping on eBay, which should result in increased sales for you and other sellers.

FAQs

What will happen to my listings after January 15 if I don't remove prohibited payment methods from my listing descriptions?
What will happen if I ask a buyer to use a prohibited payment method?
Other FAQs


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