eBay is a globally renowned C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer) and B2C (Business-to-Consumer) e-commerce platform, founded in 1995 and headquartered in the United States. It enables individuals and businesses to sell products through auctions or fixed-price listings, covering categories such as electronics, fashion, home goods, collectibles, and more. Below are key details about the eBay platform:

1. Core Features

• Auction Model: eBay initially gained fame for its “bidding” system, where sellers set a starting price and auction duration, and buyers compete by placing bids.

• Fixed Price (Buy It Now): Most items now support direct purchases, similar to platforms like Amazon.

• Global Marketplace: Operates in over 190 countries and regions, facilitating cross-border transactions.

• Seller Types: Includes individual sellers (used items, collectibles) and business sellers (new products, branded goods).

2. Fee Structure

• Insertion Fee: Free for some categories; beyond the free limit, each listing costs around $0.30 or more.

• Final Value Fee: Approximately 10–15% of the sale price (varies by category).

• Payment Processing Fee: Charges about 2.9% + $0.30 via eBay’s Managed Payments system.

• Optional Fees: Promoted listings, store subscriptions, and other value-added services.

3. Seller Considerations

• Account Rating: eBay evaluates sellers based on performance (shipping speed, negative feedback rate, etc.), which affects visibility.

• Return Policy: Some categories require sellers to accept returns; rules should be clarified in advance.

• Fraud Prevention: Be aware of buyer protection policies, as some disputes may favor buyers.

• Logistics: Recommended to use eBay-certified shipping services (e.g., eBay International Standard Delivery).

4. Buyer Protection

• eBay Money Back Guarantee: Buyers can request refunds if items are not received or significantly differ from the description.

• Authentication Programs: Services like “eBay Authenticate” verify the authenticity of luxury goods.

5. Suitable Products for Sale

• Used/Unwanted Items: Electronics, clothing, books, etc.

• Collectibles: Stamps, coins, antiques, and other niche categories with high traffic.

• Industrial/Commercial Supplies: Machinery parts, wholesale goods for B2B demand.

• Cross-Border Hot Sellers: Cost-competitive Chinese products (consider target country tariffs).

6. Comparison with Other Platforms

7. Recent Updates (2024)

• AI Tools: Introduced AI-generated product descriptions and smart pricing.

• Payment Integration: Gradually transitioning to eBay Managed Payments for streamlined processes.

• Sustainability: Promoting the “Pre-Loved” section to align with eco-friendly trends.

8. Tips for Beginners

• Start Small: Test popular items before scaling inventory.

• Optimize Listings: Use keywords + high-quality images (eBay search relies heavily on keywords).

• Stay Updated: Avoid account restrictions by adhering to policy changes.

For specific guides (e.g., registration, shipping setup), feel free to ask!

eBay Global Sites

eBay operates localized platforms for different countries/regions. Below are official links to major eBay sites:

1. Primary Global Sites

• eBay US (Main Site): www.ebay.com

• eBay UK: www.ebay.co.uk

• eBay Germany: www.ebay.de

• eBay Australia: www.ebay.com.au

• eBay Canada: www.ebay.ca

2. Other Popular Sites

• eBay France: www.ebay.fr

• eBay Italy: www.ebay.it

• eBay Spain: www.ebay.es

• eBay Japan: www.ebay.co.jp

3. For Mainland China Users

• eBay China (Cross-Border Seller Portal): www.ebay.cn (Targets Chinese sellers for global sales)

• eBay Hong Kong: www.ebay.com.hk

Access Tips

• Buyers: Use your local eBay site (e.g., UK users: ebay.co.uk).

• Sellers:

  • For cross-border sales, register on eBay US or eBay UK for higher traffic.

  • Chinese sellers can visit eBay China for onboarding policies.

⚠️ Note:

• Ensure you’re on the official site (avoid phishing scams).

• Accounts are not shared across regions; separate registrations are required.

Need a specific country’s eBay link? Let me know—I’ll find it for you!