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.
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.
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.
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.
Your friends and family can not bid on your auctions. It's not only unethical, it's against eBay rules.
Sellers can change their mind about a sale only if no one has yet won or ended an auction listing.
It is possible under some circumstances to retract a bid, but in general eBay rules forbid it.
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.
Photos used to sell goods on ebay, like photos in any other industry, are copyrighted works belonging to the photographer that took them.
Insertion fees are one of the two major types of fees that eBay charges sellers for their auction listings.
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.
Non-Paying Bidding and what it means on eBay.
Seller Non-performance (SNP) and what it means on eBay.
Unwelcome Bidding and what it means on eBay.
Fee Avoidance and what it means on eBay.
This concise, readable summary lists most of the commonly violated eBay rules and discusses each one in plain terms, whether for buyers or sellers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
