Ever wanted to grab something on eBay but wished you could pay for it over time? Good news: eBay is expanding its buy now, pay later (BNPL) options by teaming up with Klarna for U.S. shoppers. This move means more flexibility and budgeting help for anyone in the U.S. buying on eBay.
More Ways to Pay on eBay
eBay has extended its partnership with Klarna (a popular BNPL service) to the United States. Previously, eBay introduced Klarna’s payment plans in several European countries (like the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, and the Netherlands) in late 2024. Now, millions of American eBay users can also take advantage of these flexible payment options.
So how does it work? If you’re shopping on eBay and choose Klarna at checkout, you’ll have a couple of ways to pay over time:
- Pay in 4: Split your purchase into four equal payments, interest-free. You pay the first part now, and the rest in three installments (usually every two weeks). This is great for spreading out the cost of something you want nowwithout paying extra fees or interest.
- Financing for Bigger Buys: For more expensive items, Klarna offers longer-term financing plans. This means you can pay monthly over a longer period for pricier things (interest may apply for these plans, depending on the terms). It’s a bit like an installment loan for a big purchase.
Why is this useful? Imagine you find a refurbished gaming console, a hard-to-find car part, or a vintage designer handbag on eBay – but the price is a bit high to pay all at once. With Klarna’s BNPL, you don’t have to postpone your purchase or max out your budget in one go. You can get the item now and pay it off in smaller chunks, making it much more manageable for a student or everyday buyer. eBay says this partnership is about giving buyers “more choice, flexibility, and control” in how they pay.
In other words, eBay wants to make shopping more affordable and stress-freeacross key categories like electronics, fashion, and collectibles. Shoppers have the freedom to buy that rare collectible or the cool vintage coat they’ve been eyeing – and pay for it in a way that fits their wallet.
Klarna’s New “Resell” Feature Makes Selling Easy
Another cool feature that comes with this eBay-Klarna partnership is Klarna’s new “Resell” tool. Klarna recently rolled out this resell feature to U.S. shoppers, and it’s designed to make selling your items simple and quick.
Here’s how it works: Let’s say you bought something using Klarna and later you decide you don’t need it (or you’ve enjoyed it for a while and are ready to part with it). With just a few taps in the Klarna app, you can list your past purchase for sale on eBay. The resell tool automatically fills in the listing details for you – it uses the info from your original purchase to pre-fill the title, description, and even photos of the item. This means you don’t have to spend time writing a description or taking new pictures; Klarna’s app does a lot of that work for you. It’s almost like hitting a “sell this item” button and boom – your listing is ready to go.
Since this feature launched (it started in late 2024 in other markets and is now available to U.S. users), it’s already helped create over 500,000 new eBay listings. That’s half a million items put up for sale through Klarna’s resell tool! People have used it to sell things like refurbished electronics, pre-owned fashion items (remember that designer bag example), and all sorts of collectibles. This not only makes life easier for sellers, but it also helps give products a second life. In simple terms, the resell feature helps you extend the life of your stuff instead of leaving items unused or throwing them away.
eBay and Klarna point out that tools like this promote a more circular economy – meaning more reusing and reselling, which is great for sustainability. But even on a personal level, it’s a win-win: you get some money back and another shopper gets a good deal on a second-hand item.
BNPL Is Booming: Why “Pay Later” is a Big Deal
Buy now, pay later services have exploded in popularity recently – and not just on eBay. Many shoppers (especially younger people or those without credit cards) are turning to BNPL options to help manage their budgets. To understand how big this trend is, take a look at some eye-opening BNPL stats in the U.S.:
- $175 billion – That’s roughly the total value of BNPL transactions in the U.S. This huge number shows that a lot of shopping is being done on “pay later” plans.
- Nearly 4 in 10 Americans – About 38% of American consumers had used a BNPL service by the end of 2024. That’s around 128 million people in the past year who bought something and paid for it in installments instead of all at once (especially during the 2024 holiday season).
- As common as credit cards – In 2024, the use of BNPL plans was roughly as widespread as using credit cardsfor purchases. In other words, paying in installments has become a mainstream way to shop, on par with traditional credit card spending.
Why do so many people use BNPL? The appeal is pretty straightforward: it gives shoppers more control over their cash flow. Instead of one big charge, you have a predictable schedule of smaller payments. Often, the short-term plans (like the Pay in 4) charge no interest, so as long as you make your payments on time, it’s basically a free, convenient installment plan. This can be easier to handle for someone on a tight budget – like students or young professionals – or really anyone who wants to avoid credit card debt or high interest rates. It lets you buy what you need (or treat yourself to something special) without worrying that you’re spending too much at once.
And let’s not forget Klarna itself is a major player in this space. The company reports having about 93 million active users worldwide and processing nearly 3 million transactions every day. That means millions of people around the globe are using Klarna daily to split their payments for all kinds of purchases. Klarna isn’t only online, either – it’s also available at many physical stores (for example, through partnerships with retailers and even in-store payment systems). So BNPL is becoming an everywhere phenomenon, not just an online trend.
What This Means for Shoppers?
Overall, eBay’s expansion of Klarna’s BNPL services to U.S. shoppers is about making online shopping more accessible and customer-friendly. If you’re an eBay shopper in the U.S., here’s what it means for you:
- Flexibility: You now have extra flexibility at checkout. See something you want on eBay but the price is a bit high? You can choose to break the cost into smaller parts. This can be a lifesaver for sticking to a monthly budget or affording something important when you need it.
- No Big Upfront Hit: With interest-free installment options, you don’t have to drain your bank account all at once. For example, on a $200 purchase, you might pay $50 now and $50 every two weeks for a little while, instead of $200 immediately. That’s much gentler on your wallet.
- Alternative to Credit Cards: If you don’t have a credit card, or prefer not to use one, BNPL is an alternative way to finance a purchase. You still get the item right away, but you pay it off without running up a credit card balance. It’s basically a short-term, mini installment plan for a specific purchase.
- Easy Reselling: Down the line, if you decide to sell the item, the process is smoother. Thanks to Klarna’s resell feature, you can quickly put that item back on eBay and potentially recoup some money. This is great for items you only needed for a while or if you’re the type of buyer who upgrades often (like getting the newest phone and selling the old one).
eBay integrating Klarna is also a sign of the times. Shopping is evolving to fit what consumers want. Big online platforms like eBay are adding payment options like digital wallets and BNPL plans because shoppers appreciate having choices. It’s all about convenience. In the past year, eBay already added things like the ability to pay with Venmo and even introduced cash advance options for sellers – showing they’re updating the marketplace for modern needs. The Klarna partnership is another step in that direction, focusing on buyers and making it easier to afford purchases.
For everyday eBay users, this is pretty exciting. It means the next time you find that must-have gadget, a piece of hobby equipment, or a fashion item on eBay, you won’t have to worry as much about the price tag upfront. You can snag the deal and pay it off in a way that works for you. Plus, knowing that you can resell it easily later on adds some peace of mind – you’re not “stuck” with an item if you change your mind or no longer need it.
In a nutshell, eBay and Klarna’s expanded BNPL offering is about empowering shoppers. It gives people more freedom to buy what they love now and pay in a way that makes sense for their lives. And whether you’re a student trying to budget or just someone who loves a good eBay find, that added flexibility can make a big difference. So go ahead and browse – that perfect item might be more within reach than you thought, thanks to “buy now, pay later” on eBay!