eBay is the world's largest online marketplace. It's your place to:
- Buy what you want
- Sell what you have
- Make a few friends while you're at it
You don’t have to register to take a look at what’s available on eBay but you will need to register if you want to buy or sell.
Register now − it’s fast, easy and FREE.
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Getting started
Follow these four key steps and you’ll be buying and selling in no time.
Step 1. Register
The first step for buying and selling on eBay is to register as a member. Find out more about registration.
Having problems registering? Common registration problems and solutions.
Step 2. Review information about safe trading and how to get help
eBay offers buyers and sellers a range of programs and services to help make trading safer.
Before you start buying or selling, it’s important to understand:
- How to avoid problems with buyers and sellers
- How you’re protected
- The programs and resources you can draw on to help resolve disputes
Read about the steps you can take to buy and sell with confidence on eBay.
Step 3. Learn how to find and buy items
No matter what you’re looking for, your journey will start in one of two ways: by searching or browsing.
- If you’re looking for a specific item, searching can help you find it fast
- If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, or if you just want to window-shop or scroll through items, browsing is the way to go
Follow our basic steps for finding an item on eBay and get some great tips while you’re there.
There are many ways to buy items on eBay. Some buying formats include:
- Auction-style listings − where sellers put items up for sale to the highest bidder
- Buy It Now − which allows you to buy an item when you want it, at a known set price
Smart buyers research both items and sellers, consider different buying options and plan ahead.
Q. There are so many items on eBay! How can I keep track of everything?
A. With My eBay you can track and manage your eBay buying, selling, messaging, account information, preferences, and more from a single, secure location.
Step 4. Learn how to sell items (optional)
To start selling you’ll first need to provide some additional information to verify your identity and select how you will pay your seller fees.
Q. What can I sell on eBay?
A. Almost anything from antiques to cars, books to sporting goods.
Important points to remember
- When you buy an item on eBay, you are buying from another eBay member, who is the seller. You are not buying from eBay
- eBay is a platform for bringing together buyers and sellers. eBay does not buy or sell anything directly
- Make sure to keep your email address current. Having a current, working email is especially important on eBay because email is used to notify you when you've won an item and to find out postage and payment options from other buyers and sellers
- Be careful of deceptive or spoof emails that claim to be sent by well-known companies − including eBay − and that ask you to reply with personal information, such as you credit card number or account password
Seven key tips for new users
- Learn how to effectively search and browse
- Before buying an item, review the feedback that members have left for a seller and learn about PayPal*, eBay’s preferred way to pay
- Review eBay’s rules and policies
- Learn how to transact safely
- Use the powerful tools in My eBay to help track and manage your purchases and sales
- Learn how to get the help you need, when you need it
- Stay in touch with the eBay Community, to keep up with the latest eBay events, programs and news
*A message from our lawyers
The PayPal service is provided by PayPal Australia Pty Limited (ABN 93 111 195 389) which holds an Australian Financial Services Licence, number 304962. eBay International (AG) Inc and eBa is an authorised representatives (numbers 308318) of PayPal for the purpose of providing information about PayPal. eBay and PayPal are not acting as your agents, are not providing personal financial advice to you and do not take your individual circumstances into account in providing information about PayPal. You should consider the Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide before deciding to sign-up for or use the PayPal online payment service at https://www.paypal.com.au/
