Is it possible to do something so that if a seller on
eBay accepts my bid, as a buyer, the payment is made automatically?
Yes, it's
possible and common now; eBay introduced features to enable automatic payment
when you make a "Best Offer," ensuring the item is yours immediately
upon seller acceptance by requiring you to set a default payment method
upfront, which secures the item and prevents non-payment issues for sellers.
You'll see a prompt to set payment details when making the offer, and if the
seller accepts, payment processes instantly from your chosen method.
How it Works (As
a Buyer):
Make an Offer:
When you send a "Best Offer," eBay prompts you to select or confirm a
payment method (like PayPal, credit card) and shipping details before you can
submit the offer.
Pre-Authorization/Hold:
A hold is placed on your chosen payment method for the offer amount.
Seller Accepts:
If the seller accepts your offer, the payment is finalized immediately from
your pre-authorized method, and the item is yours.
Seller
Declines/Expires: If the offer is declined or expires, the hold is released.
Why This Happens:
To Prevent
Ghosting: Many buyers would make offers, have them accepted, and then never
pay, wasting sellers' time.
Seller Control:
Sellers can also configure their listings to require immediate payment for any
accepted offer or bid, a setting some enable to ensure commitment.
What You Can Do:
Be Ready to Pay:
Always have a default payment method set up on eBay if you're sending offers,
as it's now a standard part of the process.
Check for Seller
Opt-Out: Some sellers might not have this enabled, allowing more flexibility,
but you'll only know by trying to make an offer and seeing if you're prompted
for payment.
In essence, the
system is designed to make you commit to the purchase upfront, making it an
automatic checkout once the seller agrees.
