Mercari vs eBay: Which Platform Should You Sell On?

Two of the biggest reselling platforms. Completely different vibes. And honestly? I use both for different reasons.

If you're trying to decide between Mercari and eBay—or wondering if you should be cross-listing on both—here's everything I've learned from selling on each.

The Fee Breakdown

Let's get the numbers out of the way first.

Mercari:

• 10% selling fee
• 2.9% + $0.50 payment processing
• No listing fees
• No monthly fees

eBay:

• ~13.35% final value fee (varies by category)
• $0.40 per order fee
• 250 free listings/month, then $0.35 each
• Optional store subscriptions

On paper, Mercari looks cheaper. And for most items under $100, it is. But the story gets more complicated as prices go up and when you factor in eBay's category variations.

Let's Do the Math

For a $50 item:

Mercari: $50 - (10% selling fee) - (2.9% + $0.50 processing) = $43.05

eBay: $50 - (13.35% + $0.40) = $43.27

Almost identical. But watch what happens at $200:

Mercari: $200 - $20 - ($5.80 + $0.50) = $173.70

eBay: $200 - ($26.70 + $0.40) = $172.90

Still close, but Mercari edges ahead slightly.

The real difference isn't in fees—it's in where your item will actually sell.

The Audience Factor

Mercari buyers are looking for deals. They want a fair price with reasonable shipping. They're browsing casually, often on mobile, looking for everyday stuff they need. The vibe is "online garage sale."

eBay buyers are searching for specific items. They know exactly what they want and they're comparing listings. They're willing to pay more for the right item, especially if it's rare, collectible, or a specific brand.

This matters more than the fee difference.

What Sells Better on Mercari

• Everyday household items: Kitchen gadgets, home decor, random stuff from your closet
• Kids' items: Clothes, toys, gear
• Video games and consoles: Especially common titles and systems
• Bundles: Mercari buyers love combining items to save on shipping
• Lower-priced clothing: That $15-25 range where buyers are hunting for deals

Mercari is where things move. I've had items listed on eBay for months that sold within a week once I cross-listed to Mercari.

What Sells Better on eBay

• Collectibles: Sports cards, coins, antiques, memorabilia
• Specific brands: Buyers searching "Vintage Levi's 501 32x32" are on eBay, not Mercari
• Electronics: Especially higher-end items where buyers want protection
• Parts and pieces: That random car part or appliance component has an eBay buyer
• International sales: eBay's global shipping program opens up worldwide buyers

eBay's search dominance is real. If someone Googles a specific product, eBay listings often appear on the first page. Mercari doesn't have that same SEO power.

The Shipping Situation

Mercari gives you flexibility:

• Prepaid labels at negotiated rates
• Let the buyer pay based on weight
• Offer free shipping (you pay from proceeds)
• Local pickup option

eBay makes you work harder:

• Calculate your own shipping costs
• Choose between offering free shipping (built into price) or buyer-paid
• Global Shipping Program for international (they handle customs)
• Local pickup option

Mercari's prepaid labels are convenient, but they're not always the cheapest option. Sometimes buying your own label through Pirate Ship or eBay's shipping saves money.

Returns and Buyer Protection

This is where eBay can hurt.

eBay is famously buyer-friendly. Their money-back guarantee means buyers can return items even if you have a "no returns" policy—if they claim the item wasn't as described. And eBay often sides with buyers in disputes.

Mercari has a 3-day window. Buyers have 3 days to rate and request returns after delivery. After that, the sale is final. If a buyer tries to return something outside that window, you're protected.

I've been burned on eBay returns. I've never had an issue on Mercari (knock on wood).

The Selling Experience

Mercari is simpler:

• Take photos
• Fill out basic info
• Set a price
• Done

Listings are quick. The interface is clean. Messaging with buyers is straightforward.

eBay is more powerful but more complex:

• Item specifics matter for search
• More fields to fill out
• Category selection affects fees
• Auction vs. Buy It Now vs. Best Offer decisions

eBay rewards detailed, well-optimized listings. Mercari rewards good photos and fair prices.

Lowball Offers: A Tale of Two Platforms

Both platforms have offers. Both platforms have lowballers.

Mercari's offer system lets buyers submit any price. You'll get $5 offers on $50 items. You can counter, accept, or decline. The "Like" feature lets you send offers to interested buyers.

eBay's Best Offer system is similar, but you can set a minimum (auto-decline anything below X) and maximum (auto-accept anything above Y). This saves time filtering through garbage offers.

Lowballers exist everywhere. It's part of the game.

My Cross-Listing Strategy

Here's what I actually do:

On Mercari first:

• Everyday items under $50
• Clothing from common brands
• Kids' stuff
• Items where I want a quick sale

On eBay first:

• Anything searchable/specific
• Higher-value items ($100+)
• Collectibles and vintage
• Items where I'm willing to wait for the right buyer

On both simultaneously:

• Anything I'm not sure about
• Items that have been sitting too long on one platform

When something sells, I delete the listing from the other platform. It takes an extra minute but maximizes exposure.

The Bottom Line

Choose Mercari if:

• You want simplicity
• You're selling everyday items
• You value fast sales over maximum price
• You prefer mobile-first selling
• Return anxiety keeps you up at night

Choose eBay if:

• You're selling specific, searchable items
• You want access to international buyers
• You're willing to optimize listings for better results
• You have collectibles or niche items
• You want auction functionality

Choose both if:

• You have time to cross-list
• You're serious about reselling
• You want to maximize your chances of a sale

The fee difference is minimal. The audience difference is everything.

Want to run the exact numbers on your item? Our fee calculator compares both platforms side-by-side so you can see exactly what you'll take home.

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Have a strong preference for one platform over the other? I'd love to hear why—drop me a note.

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