Quick Introduction to eBay Bucks

If you’re a regular eBay shopper, you may have noticed a new addition to some eBay auction listings: a green “Bucks” logo and an invitation to join something called eBay Bucks. eBay Bucks is a new program, currently in beta testing, that rewards regular eBay shoppers by giving them credit toward future eBay purchases based on qualifying shopping volume on eBay.

Here’s how it works:

• Enroll in eBay bucks when given the chance either on eBay’s website or via email invitation.
  
  
• Shop as you normally do on eBay and pay with PayPal, but look for the green “Bucks” logo next to the item price and shipping cost.
  
  
• Earn 2 percent credit toward future purchases based on the total amount you’ve spent on Bucks-eligible items.
  
  
• Every 90 days, eBay will send you a certificate for the amount of credit you’ve earned.
  
  
• Once eBay issues the certificate, you have 30 days to spend it. Use PayPal to pay for any purchase and you can use your rewards credit.
  
  
• You can see how much you've earned at any time by clicking on “eBay Bucks” in the Summary box of your My eBay page.

The program is free and in theory hassle-free for both buyers and sellers, who by and large won't need to make adjustments or concessions of any kind for their items to be Bucks-eligible.

Things to Remember

Despite the simplicity of the program, there are a couple of caveats or drawbacks.

• 30 days is a relatively short period of time in which to spend the credit you’ve accumulated, especially when compared to most credit card rewards programs in which points or miles can gradually accumulate for years.
  
  
• The highest-value items on eBay, real estate, vehicles, and heavy industrial equipment, are specifically excluded—no doubt because eBay charges only a flat-rate fee for listing these types of items.
  
  
• eBay bucks are non-transferrable and can only be spent on eBay when paying by PayPal.

For more details on the eBay Bucks program, see the terms and conditions, tutorial movie, and list of frequently asked questions.