eBay buyer protection, explained

Updated October 17, 2026 · Checked against eBay’s published policy pages

This is a short summary. eBay’s own policy is the rule that applies, so read it before a big purchase: eBay Money Back Guarantee policy.

eBay Money Back Guarantee

According to eBay’s policy page, the guarantee applies when:

• you don’t receive the item,
• the item doesn’t match the listing (for example, the wrong item, or it arrives broken, damaged, or faulty), or
• the seller doesn’t honor the return policy stated in the listing.

To be eligible, eBay says you must complete and pay for the purchase on eBay using an eligible payment method at checkout, act within the required time frames, and not be buying an excluded item. Paying outside eBay checkout is a common way buyers lose this protection.

eBay Authenticity Guarantee

Some listings show an Authenticity Guarantee checkmark. eBay says items in this program are examined by authenticators before they reach you. Its program page lists sneakers, handbags, watches, jewelry, streetwear, trading cards, and coins as eligible categories. Only listings that show the checkmark are covered. See eBay Authenticity Guarantee.

Good habits that protect you

• Keep every message inside eBay’s messaging system.
• Take photos and video when you open an expensive package.
• Open a request quickly if something is wrong. Time limits apply.