Do I have to have a bank account to buy things on ebay?

[Nobody Knows]

So I was on ebay, and I saw something I extremely wanted.
I have the money for it, but I don't know how to pay for it.

Do I just send the money in the mail, or does it come out of the bank?
I am a complete noob when buying things online.

[Matt]

You need to start a paypal account for ebay transactions. You can pay via a debit/credit card with paypal or link your bank account to paypal and pay that way.

[shallowbeginner366]

Most sellers will expect you to pay using Paypal but some do accept personal check or postal order. If you read the conditions on the auction it will state what payment methods the seller accepts. You can only use methods they accept you can't send cash or western union transfer etc.

To create Ebay & Paypal accounts you need to register a valid credit or Visa debit card with them. The procedure to register is quite straightforward. Ebay insist you register a credit or debit card when you open an account even if you just intend buying items not selling. This is in case you do decide to sell items in the future & they will need to bill you for the fees you have to pay. I just checked my Ebay account & I have no bank account registered with them just my debit card that my Ebay fees get debited from monthly.

If ever you buy an item & don't have sufficient funds in your Paypal account then the money comes directly off whichever credit or debit card you have linked to your account. Not a bank account. You only need a bank account registered for Paypal if you are a seller & want to withdraw funds from your Paypal account to your bank account. Until such time as you have credit in your Paypal account & want to withdraw it rather than use it to purchase goods you don't need to register your bank account with them.