text: how do i recieve payments for items i sell on ebay? someone has purchased my item, but paypal wants me to upgrade so that they can charge me to accept a payment.  do i have to pay paypal in order to accept a payment?  how do i accept a payment without it costing me anything? tell the buyer your situation. ask him/her if he/she is willing to send you a money order instead of paypal. that happened to me once and i sent a money order to the seller, and it all turned out ok.