| Running a successful eBay auction business, like any | | | | sell them. I personally find them more of a pain to deal |
| other business, depends on keeping your cash flow | | | | with than they're worth, but many eBay sellers do |
| flowing! To do that, you've got to decide how you'll ask | | | | accept them. |
| your customers to pay for their items after the | | | | The electronic payment system many eBay sellers |
| purchase. You've got quite a few options, one being | | | | choose to use is Paypal. eBay likes that, since eBay |
| the acceptance of personal checks. | | | | owns Paypal. Beyond that, though, Paypal does |
| I accept personal checks for eBay auction payments, | | | | extend options that other payments do not. |
| so do many other eBay sellers, and it's my | | | | When you accept Paypal, your buyers can pay you |
| recommendation that you do so as well. We live in an | | | | immediately, and as eBay sellers, we love that idea! |
| electronic age, but many people just aren't comfortable | | | | Paypal isn't free, though. They're going to charge you a |
| sending payments over the Internet. Accepting | | | | fee, and the fee is a percentage of the sale. This fee |
| personal checks means you have more prospective | | | | is a little higher for international orders as well. |
| buyers. | | | | My personal experience with Paypal has been good |
| If you choose to accept checks, you should do two | | | | overall, and I'd estimate 80% of my buyers use it. Since |
| things immediately. First, decide on your check | | | | I sell ebooks on eBay, my customers know that they |
| acceptance policy. Second, make this policy clear in | | | | can use Paypal to pay for the item immediately, which |
| your eBay auction posting. | | | | means that they can access the ebooks that much |
| It's a good idea to hold off on shipping a buyer's item | | | | faster, which in turn means they're more likely to buy. |
| until their check clears. If you do this, make it crystal | | | | It's a good deal all around. |
| clear in your eBay posting. This can take anywhere | | | | Paypal has its detractors, and I'd like to see eBay allow |
| from 7 - 14 days, and you may want to check with | | | | sellers to use other electronic payment systems such |
| your local bank to get an estimated time for check | | | | as Google Checkout. I admit I'm not holding my breath |
| clearance. | | | | for that to happen! With all its drawbacks, I find Paypal |
| If you choose to take money orders, remember that | | | | an indispensable tool for successfully making money |
| there are a lot of different companies and banks that | | | | with eBay auctions. |