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Using eBay checkout

Our checkout tool lets your buyer send you an electronic payment right after your listing ends. checkout is a preference that's set automatically when you set up your seller account. You can disable it at any time.

Why use checkout?

Checkout is needed for online payments

When you list an item, you need to offer at least one online payment method. Your buyer will use the checkout Pay Now button to pay online. Online payment methods include:

  • PayPal

  • Credit card through an internet merchant account (for this one, you'll also need to set up a free Payflow payment gateway account)

See more about selecting payment methods you'll accept and setting up your payment preferences.

Faster payment and fewer unpaid items

Paying can start with a click when a winning buyer sees the Pay Now button in their email notification. Sellers who use checkout have more successful sales.

Fewer emails to and from the buyer

checkout automatically calculates total costs and displays postage information, reducing the time you spend reading and responding to buyer emails.

More sales

checkout lets buyers purchase more items from you as part of one transaction. Plus, checkout makes paying you easier for the buyer and can result in return sales, great Feedback for you, and more potential customers.

How it works

  1. When the listing ends, your buyer sees the Pay Now button in their email notification. They'll also see this in the item listing and the Won section in My eBay.

  2. The buyer clicks Pay Now and reviews to the listing information to calculate the final cost of the item, specify where they want it posted, and select a payment method from those you offered in your listing. They can also add more items you’re selling to their purchase.

  3. If buyers choose to pay with one of the electronic methods offered, they may need to log in to the payment site.

  4. If buyers choose to pay with another method, they confirm the final costs and then receive the payment instructions you specified when you listed the item.

  5. You'll receive notification once buyers have completed checkout.

Note: To let guest buyers purchase your items, make sure to list them with checkout.

Check out these tips

These tips will save you time and help your buyers pay you faster:

Specify payment details

Specify all payment details when you list the item: postage & packaging, tax, and so on. This lets your buyers know exactly what they'll be paying.

Specify whether you require a deposit

You can request that buyers send you a deposit to confirm their intent to purchase. Note: A buyer’s deposit is non-binding and is done in good faith.

List with one or more electronic payment methods

One or more electronic payment methods is required when you list. To compare payment options, see Selecting payment methods you'll accept.

Specify special payment instructions

 Your payment instructions appear to your buyers when they select their payment method. If you have any special instructions for your buyers, this helps bring it to their attention.

Specify postage discounts

If you offer postage discounts, you can automate them in the eBay system. In this case, checkout automatically calculates these discounts for your buyers. Discounts are promoted during checkout to encourage additional purchases.

Disabling checkout

Checkout is enabled automatically when you set up your seller account. If you’d rather not use checkout when you list an item, you can disable it.

To disable eBay checkout:
  1. Go My eBay.

  2. From the Account tab, select Site Preferences.

  3. Under Seller Preferences, in the 'Payment from buyers' section, click the Show link.

  4. Click the Edit link. You may be asked to sign in.

  5. Under checkout Preference, clear the Use checkout check box.

  6. Click the Submit button.

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