| Factor | eBay | Mercari |
|---|---|---|
| Selling fee | ~13.25% most categories | 10% |
| Payment fee | Included above | 2.9% + $0.50 |
| Total all-in | ~13.25% | ~12.9% + $0.50 |
| Listing fees | 250 free/month, then $0.35 | Always free |
| Active buyers | ~130M global | ~20M US |
| Average sale price | $25–$60 | $10–$25 |
| Best for | Collectibles, electronics, hard goods, anything $25+ | Quick flips, fashion, items under $25 |
| Time to sell | 3-14 days typical | 1-7 days typical |
| Buyer protection | Strong (often pro-buyer) | Strong |
| Shipping labels | Best discount in the industry | Good discount |
| Payout speed | 2 business days | 2-5 days after delivery |
Where eBay wins
- Higher average sale price. Buyers expect to spend more, so the same item often sells for 30-60% more than on Mercari.
- Massive audience. 130M buyers vs 20M means rare and niche items actually find buyers.
- Best shipping rates. eBay's negotiated USPS/UPS labels are the cheapest of any platform.
- Sold comps everywhere. The best pricing data on the internet — you can comp anything.
Where Mercari wins
- Speed. Listings sell faster, especially under $25.
- Simpler. No store subscription, no insertion fees, no Top Rated Seller maze.
- Lower percentage fee. 10% vs 13.25% means you keep more on every sale — IF you can match the eBay sale price.
- Mobile-first. Listing from your phone in 60 seconds actually works.
The verdict
For items over $25: eBay almost always wins. The higher sale price more than offsets the 3% fee gap, and your shipping is cheaper. Vintage, electronics, collectibles, hard goods → eBay.
For items under $25: Mercari wins on speed. The lower fee matters less than how fast you can move inventory. Fast fashion, small accessories, beauty, books → Mercari.
For most resellers: Do both. Cross-list with a tool, see which platform sells which categories faster, then specialize.
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