Buying on eBay is easy and fun. Here's how to get started.

Step 1:

1. Register
2. Browse
3. Buy or bid on an item

If you're not ready to register you can always buy an item as a guest.

Buying as a guest has the following restrictions:

• Only five items can be purchased before you need to register as an eBay member
• You can’t bid on auction-style listings
• Payments must be made by credit card and processed by PayPal
• Item price must be $3000 AUD or less
• Items must be purchased from sellers with a feedback score of 50 or higher and have a 98% positive rating
• Shipping must be specified
• Certain categories such as real estate and motor vehicle are ineligible

Step 2:

You've found the item. What to do next:

1. Read eBay’s Rules for Buyers

• Make sure you understand your obligations and how to buy safely

2. Learn about the item you found

• Read the item description carefully
• If you have any questions contact the seller via the Ask seller a question link

3. Review the seller's Feedback

• View the seller’s business reputation on eBay by looking at their Feedback Score
• Read the comments left by previous buyers

4. Bid or Buy It Now

• Once you've found the item you want, you can place a bid or purchase the item instantly using Buy It Now
• Check the item page to see what purchase options are available to you

5. Pay for the item

• After you've won or purchased the item send your payment to the seller
• If the seller offers PayPal click the Pay Now button on the item page to pay quickly and easily with your credit card or bank account
• Your seller will also send you an email with information on how to pay and where you should send payment
• See After buying your item

Step 3:

You've bought or won the item

When will my item arrive?

• The time it takes for an item to arrive often depends on the postage method
• Review the cost and estimated delivery times for each method in the Postage & handling section on the item page or in the Order details section
• Arrival time may also depend on your payment method
  • Sellers usually wait to receive your payment, or for the payment to clear, before posting your item
• Once the seller has posted your item they should let you know how long it should take
  • Some sellers may also include tracking information in their email to you
• You may be able to track your item from My eBay if the seller prints the postage label using PayPal

To track your item from My eBay:

1. Go to My eBay
2. Click the Won link on the left side of the page
3. Locate the item and click the View order details link next to it
4. If the seller printed the postage label using PayPal, you can find the tracking number under the Postage heading

If ten days or more have passed after the estimated arrival time for your item, you may be eligible for eBay's buyer protection programs.

Did you receive what you bought?

To make sure the item you receive is the item you bought, check it matches the description in the seller’s listing.

Step 4:

You've received the item. Leave feedback:

Leave the seller Feedback. Describe your experience buying the item and your satisfaction with the purchase.

Improve your skills

• Read Smart buyer tips
• Install the eBay toolbar – this will give you quick access to check the status of a bid