Chapter 2. Joining Up and Getting Started

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Everybody Does It: Filling Out eBay's Registration Form

• The Costs of Using eBay

• Protecting Yourself from Phishing Scams

• Getting Started

You can browse through eBay's millions of listings anonymously (and without registering), but if you want to buy or sell something, you have to register with the eBay site. Registration involves telling eBay who you are, where you live, and how to contact you. If you're interested in selling on eBay, you'll also need to give eBay a valid credit card numberwhich won't be chargedand your checking account information. Don't worry; it's all in the name of security.

And, although eBay registration is free, selling an item isn't. You have to pay eBay a fee for every item you list for sale, and for every item you actually sell. You don't have to pay eBay when you buy an item; fees are charged exclusively to sellers.

Read on to learn more about eBay's registration processand its fee structure.