Glossary of Terms You'll Encounter on eBay
The eBay website is full of a mix of technical and auction jargon, some of it unfamiliar to new users. These glossary terms should help to clarify confusing references.
Guide: Terms in eBay Listings
Alphabetical guide to terms and acronyms commonly seen in eBay auction listings.
Alphabetical guide to terms and acronyms commonly seen in eBay auction listings.
Guide: eBay Seller Features
The Seller Features Guide contains definitions and use instructions for a range of features and options that sellers can use in listings. If you don't see the term you're searching for in the glossary below, check the Seller Features Guide next.
The Seller Features Guide contains definitions and use instructions for a range of features and options that sellers can use in listings. If you don't see the term you're searching for in the glossary below, check the Seller Features Guide next.
Auction Mentality
Auction mentality causes bidders to bid more than they otherwise might have in an effort to triumph over perceived competitors.
Auction mentality causes bidders to bid more than they otherwise might have in an effort to triumph over perceived competitors.
Auction Sniping
Auction Sniping and what it means on eBay.
Auction Sniping and what it means on eBay.
Bid Retraction
Bid retractions can be made by prospective buyers only under very specific circumstances.
Bid retractions can be made by prospective buyers only under very specific circumstances.
Bidding Frenzy (Bidding War)
Bidding frenzies are large numbers of bids placed in rapid succession that increase the high bid of an auction listing considerably.
Bidding frenzies are large numbers of bids placed in rapid succession that increase the high bid of an auction listing considerably.
Brick-and-mortar
Brick-and-mortar refers precisely to the kind of business that eBay is not: a business based on a retail storefront or physical location.
Brick-and-mortar refers precisely to the kind of business that eBay is not: a business based on a retail storefront or physical location.
Buyer's Remorse
Buyer's remorse occurs when a winning bidder decides only too late that he or she does not actually want to buy an item after all.
Buyer's remorse occurs when a winning bidder decides only too late that he or she does not actually want to buy an item after all.
Closing Time (Closing Date)
The closing time of an auction is a predetermined time and date at which the high bidder becomes the winning bidder.
The closing time of an auction is a predetermined time and date at which the high bidder becomes the winning bidder.
Email Spoofs
Email Spoofs, what they are, how they affect eBay users.
Email Spoofs, what they are, how they affect eBay users.
Fee Avoidance
Fee Avoidance and what it means on eBay.
Fee Avoidance and what it means on eBay.
Feedback Percentage
Feedback percentage is a simple and easily referenced component of the eBay feedback system.
Feedback percentage is a simple and easily referenced component of the eBay feedback system.
Feedback Score
Feedback Scores are a simple and easily referenced component of the eBay feedback system.
Feedback Scores are a simple and easily referenced component of the eBay feedback system.
Mail Forwarding System
The Mail Forwarding System is used to send email to eBay users for whom you have no direct contact information.
The Mail Forwarding System is used to send email to eBay users for whom you have no direct contact information.
Negative Feedback
Negative feedback is complaining feedback left by a transacting partner.
Negative feedback is complaining feedback left by a transacting partner.
Non-Paying Bidder (NPB)
Non-Paying Bidder (NPB) and what it means on eBay
Non-Paying Bidder (NPB) and what it means on eBay
Positive Feedback
Positive feedback consists of complimentary reports left by eBay members about their trading partners.
Positive feedback consists of complimentary reports left by eBay members about their trading partners.
Power Seller
Power sellers and the PowerSellers program.
Power sellers and the PowerSellers program.
Proxy Bidding
eBay uses this system to allow bidders to compete for an item without having to watch it continuously.
eBay uses this system to allow bidders to compete for an item without having to watch it continuously.
Pulled Auction
Pulled auctions are auctions that have been removed by eBay before their designated closing time, releasing buyer and seller of all trading obligations.
Pulled auctions are auctions that have been removed by eBay before their designated closing time, releasing buyer and seller of all trading obligations.
Reserve Price
The price below which a seller will not be required to sell.
The price below which a seller will not be required to sell.
Retaliatory Feedback
Retaliatory feedback is one of the most contentious and controversial feedback issues on eBay.
Retaliatory feedback is one of the most contentious and controversial feedback issues on eBay.
Seller Non-performance (SNP)
Seller Non-performance (SNP) and what it means on eBay.
Seller Non-performance (SNP) and what it means on eBay.
Shill Bidding
Shill Bidding and what it means on eBay.
Shill Bidding and what it means on eBay.
Suspended
Suspended members are no longer allowed to place bids or list items for sale on the eBay website.
Suspended members are no longer allowed to place bids or list items for sale on the eBay website.
Unwelcome Bidding
Unwelcome Bidding and what it means on eBay.
Unwelcome Bidding and what it means on eBay.