When purchasing from international platforms like eBay USA, the exchange rate plays a key role. Why? Because it often influences the final cost of your purchase when converting prices in dollars to pesos.

The question is, how is the exchange rate determined on eBay? Is it competitive and transparent?

Let’s explain.

Currency Conversion on eBay: What You Need to Know About the Exchange Rate

Where Does eBay Get Its Exchange Rate From?

There are several institutions that reflect real-time market fluctuations. eBay’s exchange rate comes from reliable sources, for example, the well-known company XE.com.

Therefore, the exchange rate applied when buying on eBay from Mexico is the one available at the time of the transaction. This ensures the conversion is accurate and up-to-date when you purchase.

Remember that the items listed on their website are not in pesos but in another currency, typically U.S. dollars (USD).

How to Check the Exchange Rate Before Making a Purchase on eBay

While currency conversion on eBay is based on a current exchange rate, it’s wise to research it before you buy.

The best way to check eBay’s exchange rate is through the Universal Currency Converter on XE.com. Besides being the most popular, it’s what the platform uses, as it organizes by country the 85 available currencies.

All you have to do is enter the amount, select the source and destination currencies, and click “Convert.” There you’ll see the total in Mexican pesos and how much 1 dollar is in MXN at the time of your inquiry.

Below that, you’ll see a more detailed table, such as:

The rate XE provides is the mid-market rate and is not always exact, but it serves as a reference to estimate what you’ll be charged.

However, you must also consider conversion policies related to your payment method.

For example, some credit card-issuing banks offer automatic currency conversion. The issue is that they often apply their own exchange rates and fees when processing international transactions.

This, of course, can affect the final amount charged in Mexican pesos.

Tips to Save Money When Shopping on eBay

Being aware of eBay’s exchange rate is important to know how much you’ll pay. But you can also apply certain tricks that allow you to save on every purchase you make.

Here are 5 tips for buying on eBay:

1. Take Advantage of Auctions

eBay is known for hosting auctions so that users can find items at lower prices. Participating in them is a good way to save on your purchases.

First, set the maximum amount you’re willing to pay. After that, you can place a strategic bid close to the auction’s closing to avoid excessive competition.

2. Look for Coupons and Promotions

All e-commerce platforms regularly launch promotional codes or discount coupons to stay competitive. eBay often does this and sends notifications by email, but they’re usually valid for a limited time.

Just make sure to link an email address to receive offers. You can also find eBay coupons on sites like RetailMeNot or Savings.com.

3. Compare Prices Between Sellers

The platform has millions of providers, so you can find a product from different sellers. This gives you the opportunity to choose the best deal; just look up the listings and compare total prices, including shipping and taxes.

However, sometimes the lowest prices come from sellers with lower reputations. So pay attention to ratings and reviews, because you need to choose verified sellers if you want to shop safely on eBay.

It’s also wise to compare prices on other online stores, for example, between eBay and Mercado Libre. Maybe you’ll find what you’re looking for on Mercado Libre without paying import or customs fees.

4. Set Up Search Alerts

Want to buy something specific on eBay? Activate search alerts in your account. This feature lets you receive notifications when the site publishes new listings of interest. That way, you can take advantage of the best deals as soon as possible.

5. Use Cashback Tools

Some platforms and credit cards offer rebates on online purchases. This means they let you recover a percentage of your spending, resulting in greater savings.

Cashback programs are very useful, especially if you shop frequently on eBay or similar sites.

Which Payment Methods Are More Convenient for International eBay Purchases?

The platform accepts various popular options, but one of the most convenient to use a method that allows payments in digital dollars. That’s why we suggest using DolarApp’s international card.

By downloading the app, you can get a digital dollar account, letting you request the DolarCard digital card. With it, your online purchases become easier—just register it among your eBay payment options.

DolarCard has global coverage, so it’s accepted at any merchant that works with Mastercard. The best part is you can manage it completely online and always see a favorable exchange rate.

Additionally, you’ll avoid conversion fees associated with other financial entities since DolarApp does not charge for that transaction. All you need to do is link your peso bank account to the application and send the funds to the digital dollar account.

Thus, when buying on eBay, the amount is deducted directly from your USDc balance without extra commissions.