Mercari vs eBay: Which Marketplace is Right for You?

Did you know that eBay and Mercari together have almost 200 million users? This shows how big the market is for selling second-hand items online¹2>. With Mercari having over 23 million users and eBay with 182 million worldwide, picking the right place to sell can really help your success¹. I’ll guide you through the differences between Mercari and eBay. We’ll look at their features, fees, and special things they offer. This way, you can choose the best e-commerce site for selling on your phone.

Key Takeaways

• Mercari and eBay together account for around 200 million users.
• While Mercari has over 23 million users, eBay’s user base exceeds 182 million.
• Mercari offers a straightforward selling process with lower fees.
• eBay provides a more comprehensive platform for international selling.
• Understanding the fee structures is crucial for maximizing your profits.
• Both platforms require different levels of time and effort to set up and maintain.

Introduction to Online Marketplaces

Online marketplaces have changed how we buy and sell things. Sites like Mercari and eBay make selling directly to others easy and quick. It’s amazing that Mercari has over 23 million users every month, and eBay reaches 159 million people worldwide²³. This big audience helps sellers find buyers for their items easily.

Mercari lists over 350,000 items daily, showing a busy market for many products². eBay lets sellers show up to 24 images and one video in a listing, making products stand out². These platforms help both new and big sellers grow online.

Looking into these marketplaces, I see how important they are today. They’ve changed how we act as consumers, making us both buyers and sellers. This shift shows how crucial online marketplaces are for making deals all over the world.

Understanding Mercari

Exploring mobile selling, I see Mercari as a key player in the online market. It started in Japan and now has over 23 million users in the US. They like its easy-to-use design and the fact it doesn’t charge listing fees. Sales are hit with a 10% commission⁴⁵.

Since 2014, Mercari has given out over $1 billion to sellers in the US. This shows their support for their users⁵. Starting March 27, 2024, they’ll add service fees for buyers. This will add to the final price at checkout⁴. Sellers making listings before then might face a 10% fee on sales, unless they update their listings. Payment processing also has a 2.9% + $0.50 fee for all sales after that date⁴.

Mercari also offers great shipping rates with USPS, FedEx, and UPS. This can save sellers about 39% on shipping for packages up to 50 lbs⁴. This makes selling easier for me and shows Mercari’s focus on both buyers and sellers in online sales.

Understanding eBay

eBay is a giant in the world of online selling, starting in 1995 and now with over 180 million users. It lets sellers use different sales methods, like auctions or “Buy It Now.” eBay reaches over 100 countries, making it much bigger than Mercari in the US and Japan⁶.

eBay draws in a huge crowd, with sales worth $100 billion in 2020⁵. Sellers get to pick from many categories and use tools to make selling easier. But, the fees can be complex, with charges for each listing after the first 50 are free⁷.

eBay is great for shipping options, giving sellers choices that fit their needs. This might take more work than Mercari, but eBay helps sellers with a return policy⁶.

eBay’s strong brand and big customer base give sellers a chance for more visibility and sales. For those new to online selling, eBay is definitely a platform to consider⁵.

Similarities Between Mercari and eBay

When I look at Mercari and eBay, I see many things they have in common. They are both big online places where people can sell many kinds of items, new or used. This makes them key apps for selling things online today⁶. It’s great that they let users list items for free, helping sellers without any upfront costs. Also, both platforms let sellers show up to 12 images, helping to highlight their products well³.

Both eBay and Mercari are easy to use on mobile devices, making it simple for me to handle my sales from anywhere. The feedback and review systems they offer build trust, making buyers and sellers more likely to interact⁶. Plus, with seller protection policies, I feel safe when I sell on either site⁶. The similarities between Mercari and eBay make them more appealing and help create a strong competitive market in online selling.

Differences in Features and Experience

When looking at Mercari and eBay, I found some big differences that affect how users feel. Mercari is easy to use, letting sellers list items quickly. eBay, on the other hand, asks for more details, which is good for sellers with a specific plan.

eBay has a huge global reach with over 170 million active buyers worldwide. This is much bigger than Mercari’s 15.38 million users in January 2020⁸. eBay’s wide network means sellers can reach more people, while Mercari is mainly used in the U.S. and Japan.

Shipping costs show how each platform is different. eBay lets sellers set their own shipping fees based on the item’s size and weight. Mercari makes it simpler with a flat shipping cost, making it clearer for buyers what they’ll pay⁸. People like Mercari because it’s seen as the cleanest app⁹.

Customer service is also different. Mercari gives buyers three days to ask for a refund after getting their item, making shopping smooth⁸. eBay’s Money Back Guarantee policy helps users get refunds if items don’t show up or match the description, building trust⁸.

In short, Mercari is easy to use, while eBay has tools for experienced sellers. Each platform has its own special features that meet different needs. It’s important for me to think about these differences when deciding where to shop or sell.

Mercari vs eBay: Fee Structures Explained

When I explore online selling, knowing about each platform’s fees is key. Mercari and eBay have different fees that affect my profits. Understanding these fees helps me make smart choices for my sales.

Mercari Fees for Sellers

Mercari has a simple fee system for sellers. They take a 10% commission on sales and add a 2.9% payment processing fee plus $0.30 per transaction. Shipping fees can sometimes equal the item’s price, so I must consider these costs when setting prices. Mercari now has a return policy allowing buyers to return items within 72 hours, which could impact my inventory costs¹⁰¹¹.

eBay Fees for Sellers

On eBay, I can list 250 items for free each month, then pay a $0.35 fee for more. eBay’s final value fee is 12% to 14%, depending on my item’s category. This makes budgeting harder as I try to make the most profit while dealing with various fees¹¹.

Comparison of Listing Fees

Comparing fees between Mercari and eBay shows a big difference. Mercari doesn’t charge listing fees, letting me set higher prices. eBay offers free listings but can become costly with high sales. Looking at these fees helps me see the real costs of selling on these platforms, guiding my choice for selling¹⁰¹².

Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping options and delivery policies are key for sellers on platforms like Mercari and eBay. Mercari mainly ships within the U.S. and Japan. They work with USPS, FedEx, and UPS for services like Mercari Prepaid and Mercari Pack & Ship. Each service has clear rules for weight and size, making it easy for sellers and buyers¹³¹⁴. eBay, on the other hand, ships to over 100 countries, helping sellers reach more customers worldwide¹

eBay lets sellers set their own shipping rates, offering flexibility in delivery options. This can make shopping better for buyers by giving them more choices. Mercari has a standard 10% selling fee, but eBay’s fees vary by item type. This might affect where sellers choose to sell. It’s important to understand each platform’s shipping rules to make the best choices and keep everyone happy.

Choosing the Right Platform for Your Needs

When I think about choosing a platform for my online selling strategy, I look at what I need. Mercari and eBay are top choices, each with their own benefits. Mercari has a simple 10% selling fee, while eBay’s fees change based on the listing type and sale price. This can be between 12% to 15% of the sale plus a $0.30 fee¹⁵¹⁶.

Thinking about what I sell helps me decide. If I’m selling small, cheap items, Mercari makes shipping easy with prepaid labels¹⁵. eBay lets me pick my shipping options, which is good for bigger or pricier items.

The kind of buyers I want to reach is also key. eBay has almost 200 million users every month, while Mercari has over 20 million¹⁶. This could affect how well I do, especially if I’m aiming at specific markets.

How to handle disputes is another important part of my online selling strategy. Mercari has a strong system for solving disputes quickly. eBay also has a detailed center for resolving issues, which helps protect buyers but can be more complex for sellers¹⁵. Looking at these points will help me pick the best marketplace for my needs.

Conclusion

As we finish our look at Mercari vs eBay, it’s clear the choice depends on what you want to sell and how you like to sell it. eBay has more buyers worldwide, over 159 million, compared to Mercari’s 20 million in the U.S. This means eBay is better for selling expensive items, usually over $200, thanks to its advanced features¹⁷¹⁸.

Mercari is great for beginners or those selling items under $50. It has a simple listing process and charges a flat 10% fee. Mercari also offers a prepaid shipping label, making it easier to sell. This can be a big plus for those who find eBay’s fees and shipping hard to manage¹⁷¹⁸.

Your choice of marketplace should match your needs. If you want strong buyer protections and detailed return policies, eBay might be the better choice. If you prefer a simpler, more efficient way to sell, Mercari could be the way to go. Think about what suits your selling style best to find success in online sales today. For more details, check out the detailed comparison here¹⁷.

FAQ

What are the key differences between Mercari and eBay?

Mercari is easy to use and has fewer steps to list items. eBay offers various sales styles, like auctions, and a flexible way to sell.

Which platform has lower selling fees?

Mercari doesn’t charge to list items but takes a 10% commission on sales. eBay gives you 250 free listings a month. Then, you pay an insertion fee and a final value fee based on the category.

How do shipping options compare between the two platforms?

Mercari has fixed shipping rates with USPS and FedEx. eBay lets you choose from many carriers and ship internationally.

Can I use both platforms simultaneously to increase my sales?

Yes, many sellers use both Mercari and eBay. This helps them reach different buyers and sell more across various online markets.

What types of goods sell best on Mercari versus eBay?

Mercari is great for second-hand fashion, home goods, and collectibles. eBay is better for electronics, vintage items, and collectibles through auctions.

Is it easy to set up an account on either platform?

Yes, signing up for Mercari and eBay is free and easy. Sellers can quickly list their products.

Do I need to offer customer service when selling on these platforms?

Yes, sellers must handle customer questions on both platforms. eBay offers more tools and supports communication through its site.