Before you can take a dispute to arbitration, you must first send eBay a formal written notice by certified mail and wait 30 days to see if the issue can be resolved informally — only then can arbitration begin.
This analysis describes what eBay's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This requirement adds a mandatory 30-day waiting period and a specific certified mail step before arbitration — creating a procedural hurdle that, while not insurmountable, adds cost and time for users pursuing claims.
The updated User Agreement incorporates additional policies and terms that were previously referenced separately, making them contractually binding conditions of service use. The agreement now explicitly states that continued use constitutes acceptance of all incorporated policies and additional terms posted on eBay's sites and applications. The updated language emphasizes that disputes are resolved through binding arbitration unless the user opts out according to section 19.B.9, and contains a waiver of class action rights. You can review which eBay entity contracts with you based on your jurisdiction (eBay Inc. for US, eBay UK Limited for UK, eBay GmbH for EU, and others listed) and locate the opt-out mechanism for arbitration in section 19.B.9 of the full agreement.
View change record →You must send eBay a certified mail notice and wait 30 days before filing for arbitration, which adds a procedural step and cost to the dispute resolution process — particularly for users who may not be familiar with formal legal notice requirements.
How other platforms handle this
you agree that before taking any formal action, you will contact us at dispute-notice@asana.com and provide a brief, written description of the dispute and your contact information...
Before filing any legal action, you agree to work together with us to resolve all potential disputes respectfully and amicably.
you must first send an individualized Notice of Dispute to Microsoft Corporation...This Notice of Dispute is a prerequisite to initiating any arbitration.
"Before either party may seek arbitration, the party must first send to the other party a written Notice of Dispute describing the nature and basis of the claim or dispute, and the requested relief. A Notice to eBay must be sent by certified mail to eBay Inc., Attn: Litigation Department, 583 W. eBay Way, Draper, UT 84020. After the Notice is received, you and eBay may attempt to resolve the claim or dispute informally. If you and eBay do not resolve the claim or dispute within 30 days after the Notice is received, either party may begin an arbitration proceeding.Excerpt from eBay's User Agreement
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Pre-dispute informal resolution requirements are permissible under the FAA and are generally upheld in arbitration agreements.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
Coinbase's User Agreement includes a mandatory arbitration clause that most users may not have reviewed. Here is what the clause states and how the opt-out process works.
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This requirement adds a mandatory 30-day waiting period and a specific certified mail step before arbitration — creating a procedural hurdle that, while not insurmountable, adds cost and time for users pursuing claims.
You must send eBay a certified mail notice and wait 30 days before filing for arbitration, which adds a procedural step and cost to the dispute resolution process — particularly for users who may not be familiar with formal legal notice requirements.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 205 platforms. See the full comparison.
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