Selecting a Selling Format

Quick comparison chart

You can quickly compare eBay selling formats in the following table.

Selling format

Highlights

Auction listing

Sell to the highest bidder or offer Buy It Now or Best Offer.

Duration: 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 days.

Fees: Insertion, Final Value, and upgrade fees depend on the item and listing options used

Services: Complete access to eBay services such as Feedback and problem resolution

Buy it Now listings

List items at a set price, so buyers can purchase right away without bidding.

Best Offer: Include a Best Offer option to let buyers name their best price.

Listing with variations: If you sell different versions of an item; for example, a T-shirt in various sizes and colours, 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. Good 'Til Cancelled Insertion Fee is charged every 30 days. Buy it Now listings in eBay Shops differ. See eBay Shops fees.

Services: Complete access to eBay services such as Feedback and problem resolution

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.

Duration: Most run for 28 days with the option of Good 'Til Cancelled. Good 'Til Cancelled Insertion Fee is charged every 28 days.

Fees: Vary by category

Services: No access to eBay services such as Feedback and problem resolution

Auction 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 in your auction, which lets the buyer purchase the item before the listed end date for the auction. You can list one item or by lots. Your listing appears in the eBay category (or categories) you choose and in search results.
	Duration Auction listings run 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 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 eBay fees for details.
	eBay services You have complete access to eBay services such as Feedback and problem resolution.

Buy it Now format Fixed price listing

	How it works List your items at a set price, so buyers can purchase right away without bidding. Optionally, include Best Offer 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. You can an item that has variations in a single listing.
	Duration 3, 5, 7, 10, or 30 days, or Good 'Til Cancelled. Good 'Til Cancelled renews automatically every 30 days until the item sells or you end the listing.
	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 eBay fees for details.
	eBay services You have complete access to eBay services such as Feedback and problem resolution.

Classified Ad

How it works

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 a Classified Ad in the following categories: Local Services, ebay Motors, Property, Cars, Motorcycles & Vehicles, Vehicle Parts & Accessories and Business, Office and Industrial

Duration

Classified Ads run for 28 days with the option of listing Good 'Til Cancelled. Good 'Til Cancelled renews automatically every 28 days until the item sells or you end the listing.

Classified Ads within the Property and Cars, Parts & Vehicles and Business, Office and Industrial categories will incur fees after the 28-day period should you wish to keep your ad on the site. See the Fees for Classified Ad format.

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