PayPal

Send funds directly to a seller from a verified bank account or from a credit card

Advantages:

• Immediate and convenient
• Payment is deposited directly into the seller's account
• You can pay directly from the item listing page
• No requirement that you use your credit card (you can transfer money directly from your bank account)
• Sellers don't see your credit card number (it is safely encrypted through PayPal's server), which limits the risk of unauthorised use
• Automatic payment tracking
• Nearly all items paid for with PayPal on eBay.com.au can be  eligible for up to AU$20,000 PayPal Buyer Protection if you don't receive the item you paid for or it isn't what you were expecting. Conditions apply. Read the PayPal Buyer Protection policy for full details and the PayPal Acceptable Use policy for exclusions

Credit Card

Advantages:

• Immediate and convenient
• Traceable
• Limited liability. Credit card companies typically provide some level of identity and purchase protection. Contact your credit card company to learn more

Disadvantages:

• When using your credit card on line you may be giving out your private financial details to strangers
• You will not be eligible for PayPal Buyer Protection unless your Visa/Mastercard transaction is processed by PayPal. Some credit card purchases may be protected by your credit card company but , you must go through your credit card company in those cases

Personal Cheques/ Bank Cheques

Advantages:

• Traceable to a particular mailing address
• Provides proof of payment
• Most banks offer a stop payment service if problems arise before the cheque is cashed

Disadvantages:

• Sellers must wait for funds to clear
• Extremely difficult to recover in cases of fraud
• Not eligible for PayPal Buyer Protection

Money Orders

Advantages:

• Traceable to a particular mailing address
• Provides proof of payment
• Some services offer the option to stop payment if problems arise before the payment is cashed, but you don't always have this option

Disadvantages:

• Sellers must wait for funds to clear
• Extremely difficult to recover in cases of fraud
• Not eligible for PayPal Buyer Protection

Escrow

Advantages:

• Payment is held by the escrow service until you receive and approve the item
• For eBay transactions, you should only use eBay approved escrow companies: learn more about how escrow works and which sites are eBay approved

Disadvantages:

• There have been reports of fraudulent sellers using nonexistent escrow companies. So do your homework before using any escrow service other than eBay's recommended escrow partner
• Not eligible for PayPal Buyer Protection

Bank Deposit

Advantages:

• Buyers deposit payment directly into the seller's bank account either online or at most banks
• Immediate and convenient
• Payment is deposited directly into the seller's account

Disadvantages:·        

• Payment is difficult to recover in cases of fraud
• Not eligible for PayPal Buyer Protection

Tip: If you are unsure about using this option, you can request the seller's contact information and verify that it is consistent with the information on the bank account.

Instant Cash Wire Transfer (such as Western Union & MoneyGram)

eBay.com.au prohibits the use of instant cash wire transfer services.

While sellers may offer this option, they cannot require you to pay this way. If you suspect a seller is trying to commit fraud by insisting on payment through an instant cash wire transfer, please decline to use it and report the seller to eBay.

Disadvantages

• Difficult to identify and designate recipient
• Not traceable
• Generally, no recourse is available if the item is not delivered as promised, even if you used your credit card to send the payment
• Not eligible for PayPal Buyer Protection

Cash

eBay doesn't recommend paying with cash. While sellers may offer this option, they cannot require you to pay this way.

If you suspect a seller may be trying to commit fraud by insisting on payment only by cash, please decline to use it and report the seller to eBay.

Disadvantages

• Not traceable
• No way to prove payment was made
• No protection against loss or theft in the mail
• Not eligible for PayPal Buyer Protection

Cash is only accepted with pay on pickup

Bank Deposit Express

Seller's make their bank account information available to buyers through the listing process. When the listing closes the buyer can immediately view the bank account information and deposit payment.

Advantages:

• Quick and easy payment method for transactions with other Australians
• Deposit directly into the seller's bank account either online or at most banks
• Minimal or no bank fees involved

Disadvantages 

• Payment is difficult to recover or cancel
• Not eligible for PayPal Buyer Protection

Cash on Delivery (C.O.D)

Australia Post will take delivery of your item at your nearest post office and will forward the seller your payment by money order.

Advantages:

• Easy to use
• Australia Post offers free insurance for C.O.D items valued up to AU$100 and additional insurance can be purchased for C.O.D items valued between AU$100 and AU$5000