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eBay Rules and Fees:
What's Allowed and What You'll Be Charged
To some it seems as though eBay is a crazy free-for-all of users. To others, eBay looks like a typical, one-roof online retail company. In fact, it's neither. eBay's buyers and sellers are hundreds of millions of people just like you, it's true, but eBay isn't the wild, wild, west. Read on to learn more about some of the rules that apply to your eBay use and how you'll be charged for selling on eBay.
eBay Rules Survival Guide
There are a lot of rules on eBay. A lot of them. If you've taken half a glance at eBay's own help system, you know that it's unlikely you'll be able to learn them all quickly. Don't worry, though; you probably don't need to know them all by heart. eBay's rulebook can be simplified into a few basic ideas and values. Keep them in mind as you start trading on eBay and all will be well.
eBay Fees Basics
If you're not yet an eBay trader, you may assume that it actually costs a lot to trade on eBay: annual memberships, transaction fees, surcharges, and so on. In fact, this isn't the case. If you're a shopper, eBay doesn't cost you a thing, and if you're a seller, your charges depend entirely on how much you sell.
Control Your eBay Fees
If your eBay fees are eating you alive or margins are shrinking and you're struggling to compete, see if you're doing what you can to keep your eBay fees low. Also inside: links to the eBay fee tables so that you can calculate what you owe.
Can my friends and family bid on my auctions?
Your friends and family can not bid on your auctions. It's not only unethical, it's against eBay rules.
Can I change my mind about a sale?
Sellers can change their mind about a sale only if no one has yet won or ended an auction listing.
Can I take back (retract) a bid?
It is possible under some circumstances to retract a bid, but in general eBay rules forbid it. That's not to say that you can't get away with it, though, and here's how.
Don't Keyword SPAM or Miscategorize
eBay buyers rely on categories and keywords when they search for items to buy. When you miscategorize or use unrelated keywords, you don't make friends with buyers and you make eBay harder to use.
Don't Steal Photos From Other eBayers
Photos used to sell goods on ebay, like photos in any other industry, are copyrighted works belonging to the photographer that took them.
Glossary: Insertion Fee
Insertion fees are one of the two major types of fees that eBay charges sellers for their auction listings.
Glossary: Final Value Fee
Final Value Fees are one of the two major types of fees that eBay charges sellers for their auction listings, and the only one that isn't owed if an item doesn't sell.
Prohibited Activity: Non-Paying Bidding
Non-Paying Bidding and what it means on eBay.
Prohibited Activity: Seller Non-performance (SNP)
Seller Non-performance (SNP) and what it means on eBay.
Prohibited Activity: Unwelcome Bidding
Unwelcome Bidding and what it means on eBay.
Prohibited Activity: Fee Avoidance
Fee Avoidance and what it means on eBay.
eBay 101 Rules
This concise, readable summary lists most of the commonly violated eBay rules and discusses each one in plain terms, whether for buyers or sellers.
From eBay: Rules and Policies
eBay's Rules and Policies overview page, including rules for buyers and sellers, details on prohibited items and listings, feedback and identity protection and management, and more. This is your guide to what's allowed and what isn't on eBay.
From eBay: Rules for Buyers
These are the primary rules that apply to buyers. Keep them in mind when shopping for and bidding on eBay auctions, since violations may lead to action against you account.
From eBay: Rules for Sellers
This is the primary list of rules for eBay sellers. Keep these rules in particular in mind as you list auctions on eBay, since selling violations are serious and may lead to suspension or other action.
From eBay: eBay.com Fees
These tables detail the fees that eBay charges sellers for creating listings and selling items. Includes fee tables both for normal items and for large-ticket items like cars and homes.
Rules and Fees for eBay Photos
Pictures are a reality of life for all eBay sellers. Here are eBay's rules and best practices for seller photos, as well as how much it's going to cost you to follow them.