Things You'll Need:
- Seller's recent feedback & rating
- Information on seller's return policy
- List of seller's payment options
- Seller's email address
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Step 1
Make sure the payment can be traced and there is proof provided that the payment has been made. PayPal can be easily traced, using both "My eBay" and your PayPal account, and provides proof of payment. Payments sent to sellers set up to take credit cards directly can also be traced with proof of payment available from your credit card company. If you pay by check or money order, you can trace the payment to a particular mailing address and you have proof of purchase in the form of a canceled check or cashed money order.
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Step 2
Ask yourself if the payment option is fast and convenient. PayPal payments are instantaneous and convenient in that you pay directly from the item listing page and the money is taken directly from your account and deposited into the seller's account. Credit card payments are also instantaneous and convenient, if the seller runs their credit card transactions immediately. Sending checks and money orders are the least convenient, because they have to be mailed to the buyer and then the buyer waits for them to clear before they send your item. Between mailing time and how quickly the bank processes the payment, it could take up to two weeks before your item is even shipped.
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Step 3
Establish whether the payment option on eBay is safe to use. PayPal is considered more secure than other payment methods, because you don't have to share your credit card information with the seller, which reduces the risk of unauthorized charges. Paying by credit card requires you to give your information to a virtual stranger. Using a check could be considered safer, except it provides your bank account number to the seller and some people still have their social security number printed on their checks, which could lead to identity theft. Money orders are safer than personal checks, because they don't contain any personal financial information.
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Step 4
Determine what kind of liability coverage each option provides in the event something goes wrong. PayPal offers Buyer Protection on eligible transactions up to $200 (sometimes as high as $2,000) at no additional cost. Most credit card companies provide limited liability coverage with a certain level of identity and purchase protection. Most banks and some money order companies have a stop payment service, but this option only works if the check or money order has not been cashed yet, otherwise, in cases of fraud, payment is extremely hard to recover.
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Step 5
Ask the seller questions about different payment options that they offer, if you have any concerns whatsoever. You can do this by sending your question directly to the seller's email, which you can find by clicking on the User ID in the auction listing or by scrolling to the End of Listing email you received when the auction closed.
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Step 6
Buy "eBay for Dummies" by Marsha Collier to learn more about buying, selling and paying for items on eBay, including selecting payment options. Although not a requirement, it's a handy book to have when starting out on eBay.
