The rise of the resale market is undeniable. In fact, the global secondhand apparel market alone is projected to be worth over $350 billion by 2027. More and more people are ditching fast fashion and embracing the circular economy, making now the perfect time to start selling your unwanted stuff online.
But with so many different platforms to choose from, figuring out where to begin can be overwhelming. Two of the giants in the game are eBay and Mercari, both boasting millions of users and a seemingly endless stream of products. So, how do you decide which platform is right for you? This comprehensive guide breaks down the key differences between eBay and Mercari, weighing the pros and cons of each so you can confidently kickstart your online selling journey.
Table of Contents
- What Is Mercari?
- What Is eBay?
- Mercari vs eBay – The Features
- Selling On Mercari Vs eBay – What Sellers Say Is Best
- Pros & Cons
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Verdict: Is Mercari Better Than eBay For Sellers?
What Is Mercari?
Launched in Japan in 2013, Mercari is a relative newcomer to the online reselling scene. Yet, its rapid ascent to popularity is undeniable. After an incredibly successful launch in Japan, the app quickly expanded into the US and UK markets. Since entering the U.S. in 2014, Mercari has paid out over $1 Billion dollars to its sellers. What’s driving Mercari’s success? The platform is known for being incredibly easy and fast to use. You can list almost anything, from clothing and home goods to electronics and even car parts, and a vast majority of the items for sale are used. Think of it as a massive online flea market!
What Is eBay?
Founded in 1995, eBay is one of the original online reselling platforms and is a household name around the world. eBay boasts a truly global reach, enabling users to buy and sell both domestically and internationally. In 2020 alone, eBays gross merchandise volume was valued at $100 billion, a testament to its massive user base and daily transaction volume. One of eBay’s signature features is its auction format, allowing sellers to set a starting bid and a time limit, after which the highest bidder takes home the prize. eBay is a popular platform for flipping items for profit and is a great marketplace for everything from clothing and antiques to collectibles and electronics.
Mercari vs eBay – The Features
While both platforms are designed for buying and selling, they differ in certain crucial features. This in-depth comparison will help you decide which platform is best for your needs:
Signing Up & Listing
Getting started is a big factor when choosing an online selling platform. You want a straightforward process that gets you listing and selling quickly!
- Mercari: Signing up on Mercari is incredibly simple. All you need is an email address, and you can start listing immediately. The listing process itself is also very fast and easy. You only need to provide a few basic details about your item, such as its condition, category, and price, along with a few good pictures.
- eBay: Creating an eBay selling account is also relatively easy. You can sign up with an email address or your Facebook account. However, the listing process is more complex and time-consuming than on Mercari. eBay requires more details about your items, including dimensions, weight, and other specifications. It’s generally recommended to use eBay’s desktop platform for listing, as the mobile app can be clunky and difficult to navigate.
Winner: Mercari wins in this category for its sheer speed and simplicity.
Mercari vs eBay Fees
Seller fees are a crucial factor to consider when deciding where to sell. High fees can significantly impact your profit margin, so you need to know the numbers!
- Mercari Fees: Mercari has a flat 10% commission fee on every sale, along with a $0.30 flat fee and a 2.9% payment processing fee. This fee structure is simple to understand, and there are no listing fees, making Mercari an incredibly cost-effective option to start your reselling journey. However, it’s worth noting that Mercari initially caps new sellers at 100 listings. This limit usually increases as you sell actively on the platform. Mercari also has a $2 withdrawal fee for earnings under $10 and if your bank rejects a direct deposit.
- eBay Fees: eBay offers 200 free listings per month for sellers. However, after that, you’ll pay a $0.35 insertion fee for every additional listing. The platform also takes a final value fee of 10-12% on most sales (up to $750 per item). eBay also has Store subscriptions with varying monthly fees. These subscriptions offer additional perks for sellers, such as more free listings, discounted fees, coupons for free shipping supplies, and lower insertion fees.
Winner: Mercari wins for lower overall fees, especially for beginners who are just starting out. However, for sellers who move a lot of inventory, eBay’s Store subscriptions can become more cost-effective as your sales volume increases.
Seller Protection
What happens when a transaction goes wrong? Understanding the seller protection policies of each platform is important to protect yourself from scams, difficult buyers, and other headaches.
- Mercari Seller Protection: Mercari tends to favor buyers over sellers in transactions. However, if a buyer requests a return, it must be made within 3 days of delivery and for a valid reason. Mercari also holds payments until both the buyer and seller rate each other, a process that can take up to 3 days after delivery. This system protects buyers but can also mean sellers have to wait longer to access their earnings.
- eBay Seller Protection: eBay utilizes a strict seller rating system that can negatively impact your account if you receive negative feedback, ship late, or cancel orders. eBay conducts performance reviews for every account every 1-12 months based on your sales volume and performance. eBay customers can request a return for any reason within 10 days of receiving an item. However, it’s up to the seller to accept the return unless the item arrives damaged or is lost in transit. eBay offers a Money Back Guarantee for sellers who don’t receive payment for a shipped item and haven’t violated any platform policies.
Winner: This category is a bit of a tie. Both platforms tend to favor buyers, which isn’t surprising. eBay gives buyers a longer return window, but Mercari sellers may have to wait longer to receive their funds.
Shipping Fees
Shipping costs are another major expense to consider when comparing eBay vs Mercari for sellers.
- Mercari Shipping Fees: Mercari offers sellers the flexibility to either pay for shipping themselves or pass the cost on to their buyers. The platform also provides pre-paid, weight-based shipping labels that simplify the process, covering packages up to 150 lbs. If you choose to handle shipping yourself, you’ll need to weigh and measure your packages accurately and purchase your own shipping labels. Mercari offers shipping protection up to $200 for packages lost or damaged in transit.
- eBay Shipping Fees: Shipping on eBay is more complex and requires more decision making on the seller’s part. You’ll need to decide on a carrier, shipping class, package size, and whether you want to offer international shipping. eBay gives you the option to either charge a flat shipping rate or a variable rate based on the buyer’s location.
Winner: Mercari is the clear winner for simplicity. However, more experienced eBay sellers can leverage the platform’s shipping flexibility to minimize costs and maximize profit margins.
Local Selling
Selling locally is a popular way to skip shipping fees and make quick cash. Both eBay and Mercari now offer local selling options, but the features and fees differ greatly.
- Mercari Local: Mercari Local, launched in 2021, allows for local selling through a partnership with Uber. With Mercari Local, you can sell items to buyers in your area and arrange contact-free delivery through an Uber driver. The Uber driver will pick up the item from you and deliver it to your buyer. The service costs $7.99 per delivery.
- eBay Local Selling: eBay offers local selling through classified ads. With this option, you’ll need to meet your buyer in person and handle the payment yourself, typically in cash. The insertion fee for an eBay classified ad is $9.95 for a 30-day listing.
Winner: Mercari is the clear winner for local selling. It’s more affordable than eBay and offers contact-free delivery through Uber, making it more convenient and safe for both buyers and sellers.
Customer Support
When you encounter a problem with a transaction, you want a platform with a responsive customer support team.
- Mercari: Mercari provides a Help Center on its website to answer frequently asked questions. If you can’t find a solution through the Help Center, you can contact their customer support team via email. For serious issues such as fraud, you may be able to reach a Mercari representative over the phone.
- eBay: eBay has an extensive set of rules and guidelines for both buyers and sellers. Most issues have a clear solution outlined in these guidelines. eBay offers 24/7 customer support via phone and email, enabling you to reach a representative quickly and resolve issues effectively.
Winner: eBay has slightly better phone accessibility. However, both platforms have decent customer support options.
Professional Selling Accounts
If you’re serious about building a profitable reselling business, both eBay and Mercari offer professional selling accounts with enhanced features.
- eBay Store Subscription: eBay offers five different Store subscriptions: Starter, Basic, Premium, Anchor, and Enterprise. These subscriptions have varying monthly fees and offer increasing perks for sellers as you move up the tiers. Store perks include more free listings, discounted fees, coupons for free shipping supplies, and lower insertion fees.
- Mercari Pro Seller Program: Mercari recently launched its Pro Seller Program, although it’s still in Beta. You have to apply to join the program, which offers perks such as a bulk import tool, inventory management features, enhanced analytics, a pro seller badge on your profile, free promotion on third-party platforms, and VIP service, which is planned to include 24-hour support and a dedicated account manager (not yet implemented).
Winner: eBay’s Store Subscription offering is more comprehensive and established than Mercari’s Beta program.
Selling On Mercari Vs eBay – What Sellers Say Is Best
If you’re wondering “Should I sell on Mercari or eBay?,” take a look at what actual sellers say about both platforms.
On popular forums like Reddit, experienced and new flippers alike share their insights and preferences:
One Redditor who sells on both platforms comments: “Mercari is definitely easier for beginners and has really low fees. However, eBay has a much larger market, and some niches are just more lucrative on eBay.”
Another Redditor adds: “I cross-list all of my stuff on eBay and Mercari. It’s worth the effort because you get more exposure.”
The takeaway? Many sellers find value in both platforms and recommend cross-listing to maximize reach and sales potential.
Pros & Cons
Still trying to decide if eBay or Mercari is right for you? Let’s summarize the key advantages and disadvantages of each:
Mercari Pros
- Low Cost: No listing fees and a simple 10% commission on sales make Mercari affordable.
- Easy Listing: A streamlined listing process gets you selling fast.
- Privacy Protections: Secure in-app chat protects your personal information.
- Simple Shipping: Pre-paid labels and flat-rate options take the guesswork out of shipping.
- Local Selling Options: Mercari Local offers contact-free delivery through Uber.
Mercari Cons
- Potential for Buyer Scams: Buyers who request returns and aren’t asked to send items back can sometimes keep the item and get a refund.
- Slow Payments: The rating system can delay your access to earnings.
- Frequent Relisting: Listings can quickly fall in search results, requiring frequent relisting.
eBay Pros
- Massive International Customer Base: Wider reach means more sales potential and the ability to sell for higher prices.
- Brand Building Potential: Store subscriptions help you create a recognizable online store.
- Accessible Customer Service: 24/7 phone and email support make resolving issues easy.
- No Need for Frequent Relisting: Listings stay active until they sell.
eBay Cons
- Listing Fees: While you get free listings every month, additional listings cost money.
- Market Saturation: Finding your niche and standing out amongst the competition can be a challenge.
- Complex Shipping Process: Precisely measuring packages and selecting shipping classes can be complicated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Cheaper To Sell On eBay Or Mercari?
For most products and especially for beginners, Mercari fees are generally lower than eBay fees. However, eBay does have lower final value fees for certain categories. It’s always worth doing your research and comparing seller fees to determine which platform is more cost-effective for the items you’re selling.
Is Mercari Or eBay Better?
Neither platform is universally better. The best option depends on your individual needs and goals as a seller.
Mercari is a great starting point for beginners who are new to online selling. The platform is easy to use, has low fees, and simplifies shipping.
eBay is the go-to choice for more established sellers and those who want to reach a larger, international customer base. The platform offers more features for professional sellers, including Store subscriptions that can lower fees and increase sales potential.
Can I Sell On Both Platforms?
Yes, you can list your products on both eBay and Mercari. This practice, known as cross-listing, is a popular way to maximize your exposure and increase your chances of selling.
When cross-listing, it’s essential to manage your inventory carefully and remove listings from other platforms once an item sells to avoid overselling.
Verdict: Is Mercari Better Than eBay For Sellers?
The answer to this question depends on your individual needs and goals as a seller.
For beginners and casual sellers in the U.S. who prioritize simplicity and low cost, Mercari is a fantastic option.
For larger-scale sellers and those seeking international reach, eBay’s broader customer base, established seller features, and comprehensive support make it the clear choice.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to research the competition on both platforms, consider your goals, and perhaps even experiment with cross-listing to see what works best for you.