Mercari or eBay: Where Should You Sell?

Are you torn between Mercari and eBay as your go-to online selling platform? 

We understand that choosing the right platform can be quite baffling when there are so many options and two alternatives are right in front of you. 

If you’re a casual seller looking for a hassle-free selling experience, Mercari  might be the perfect fit for you. But keep in mind that  if you’re a serious seller aiming to establish a long-term online business or expand your reach to a wider audience, eBay might be the superior choice. 

Stick around as we explore the key features, benefits, and drawbacks of both platforms. 

Let’s dive into the Mercari vs. eBay debate and find the perfect platform for your online selling journey.

Mercari Vs Ebay: Differences At A Glance

Here’s a quick sneak peek of the comparison if you’re in a hurry

Mercari Or Ebay: In Depth Analysis

Here is a feature to feature analysis of both Mercari and Ebay so you can decide which one is for you. 

Ease of Use:

Between the two, Mercari stands out for its simplicity and user-friendly interface. The platform offers a straightforward process for anyone wishing to list their inventory, upload pictures, and manage their sales. 

The mercari app has intuitive design and easy navigation that makes it accessible for you regardless of how much experience you have.  

On the contrary, eBay has a more complex and feature-rich interface, which can be overwhelming for you if you are a new user trying to get used to things. 

We won’t lie, it does give you all the tools you can think of. You even have customization options, allowing for more control over listings. 

However, the process of creating listings on eBay may involve more steps and requirements that you may not be so fond of. 

Winner: Mercari. We like the simplicity and forwarness of the user experience.

Pricing Options:

The pricing options are competitive when compared. Mercari utilizes a fixed pricing model, where you are to set a specific price for your products, and buyers can purchase them directly at that price. This straightforward approach simplifies the selling process and allows for quick transactions.

The difference is that eBay offers both fixed pricing and auction-style listings. You will have the option to set a fixed price for your items. You can also initiate an auction where buyers bid on the product. The highest bidder at the end of the auction wins the item.

Winner: Tie. The choice between Mercari’s fixed pricing and eBay’s auction-style listings depends on the seller’s preference and the nature of the products being sold. Each platform offers unique advantages depending on the seller’s strategy.

Fees:

So, Is it cheaper to sell on Mercari than eBay? When it comes to mercari vs ebay selling fees, Mercari shipping charges a 10% commission on each sale, along with a $0.30 fee and a 2.9% processing fee based on the purchase price. There may be additional fees in specific situations, such as bank rejection. You can check on the mercari fees calculator 

eBay provides you with 200 free listings per month, and additional listings cost 35 cents each. In terms of commissions, eBay charges a percentage ranging from 10% to 12% depending on the category. You will also need to consider shipping fees, which can vary based on factors like carrier, weight, and class.

Winner: Tie for seller fees; Mercari for shipping fees. Both platforms have similar seller fees, but Mercari edges out in terms of shipping fees as it offers more straightforward shipping options and includes shipping protection worth up to $200.

Seller Protection:

Mercari requires buyers to request returns within three days of receiving the product and provide a valid reason. The platform holds the payment until the buyer rates the seller. 

While this offers some level of protection, we don’t like that it makes you dependent on the buyer’s cooperation and prompt rating.

On the other side, eBay provides stronger seller protection measures. It employs a rating system for sellers, encouraging them to maintain a good reputation. You will have the privilege to deny return requests within 10 days of delivery. 

eBay also offers a money-back guarantee to buyers, providing an extra layer of assurance for sellers.

Winner: eBay. Its rating system, coupled with the money-back guarantee, offers enhanced protection for sellers, ensuring a more secure selling experience.

Customer Support:

Mercari provides a help center with frequently asked questions and offers email support for inquiries. If you have serious issues, you may need a phone call conversation with their support team.

Ebay does similar when it comes to customer support but they are better in efficiency. eBay boasts comprehensive customer support options. Its help center is well-structured and contains extensive information to address common queries. You can get Customer support  via phone and email, allowing you to seek assistance when needed.

Winner: eBay. With its active customer support system, eBay offers sellers better access to help and assistance, ensuring that you have help 24/7 

International Selling:

Keep in mind that Mercari operates primarily in the United States and Japan, making it a suitable platform for sellers in those regions. That’s why you hear of Mercari Japan more specifically. If you are an international seller outside of these regions, you may face limitations or additional requirements to sell on Mercari.

That’s not the case for eBay. They have a global presence, allowing you to list and sell products far beyond all borders. You can reach a broader audience and expand your customer base beyond the local market.

Winner: eBay. Its global reach and support for international selling give you the advantage of accessing a larger customer base worldwide.

Listing Customization:

We prefer ebay for customization because Mercari offers limited customization options for product listings. You can do as little as provide a title, description, and upload pictures, but the overall appearance and layout are standardized.

eBay provides extensive listing customization options. So that you can create listings that appeal to your customers visually, with custom templates, product variations, and additional details. You can also include store branding elements to create a cohesive brand identity.

Winner: eBay. Its  customization options are extensive and gives you wings to create more visually appealing and personalized listings, which can attract buyers.

Product Categories:

Mercari focuses on a wide range of product categories, including fashion clothes, electronics, home goods, collectibles, and more. However, it may not be as comprehensive as eBay in terms of niche or specialized categories.

eBay offers an extensive selection of product categories, including mainstream and niche markets and even uncommon items like books, sports cards, labels etc. You can find dedicated categories for various items, allowing you to target specific customer segments.

Winner: eBay. Its comprehensive range of product categories provides you with more opportunities to list and sell items across various niches and markets.

Seller Tools and Analytics:

Seller tools and analytics make a world’s difference when you are trying to sell online. Mercari offers basic seller tools and analytics, including sales history, views, and likes on listings. 

However, the platform’s analytics capabilities may be limited compared to more advanced analytics platforms.

What we like about eBay in this case is how it goes an extra mile to give you tools and analytics that are updated and new. This includes detailed sales reports, insights on customer behavior, and listing performance metrics, which you otherwise won’t get in Mercari. 

Winner: eBay. The advanced tools let sellers like you gain valuable insights to optimize your selling strategies.

Promotional Tools and Marketing:

Mercari offers promotional features such as discounted shipping labels and seller campaigns to attract buyers. However, the promotional tools may be limited compared to eBay’s marketing options.

eBay provides a wide range of promotional tools and marketing options including promoted listings, cross-promotion, and advertising opportunities. You have the opportunity to increase your product visibility and reach a larger audience through targeted marketing efforts.

Winner: eBay. Its comprehensive promotional tools and marketing options provide you with more opportunities to showcase your products and drive sales.

Seller Community and Support:

Seller community can help you thrive in your online business more than you imagine it to. Mercari has a growing seller community and offers a user-friendly interface that facilitates interaction and communication between sellers.

eBay, on the other hand, has a well-established seller community with forums, discussion boards, and support channels. You won’t have problems connecting with fellow sellers, seeking advice, and receiving support from eBay’s customer service team.

Winner: eBay. Its active and involved seller community and comprehensive support resources make it easier for anyone to connect, learn, and receive assistance when needed.

Seller Policies and Disputes:

Mercari has its own set of seller policies and guidelines that you have to adhere to. Disputes between buyers and sellers are managed through Mercari’s resolution center, where the platform mediates and facilitates resolutions.

eBay has well-defined seller policies and guidelines that you must follow. The platform has a structured resolution process to handle disputes and claims, offering protection to both buyers and sellers.

Winner: Tie. Both platforms have established policies and dispute resolution mechanisms to ensure fair transactions, providing a level of protection for sellers.

Mercari Or Ebay For Selling

So, based on the analysis of the features and comparisons between Mercari and eBay, it is evident that both platforms have their own strengths and advantages for sellers. 

However, eBay emerges as a better choice for you if you are selling. There are several justifications to that but we like to side on the reasons for its wider reach and established reputation. 

The advanced marketing options, seller protection, and extensive seller community and support are further reasons why ebay may come out to be the better platform for selling.

There’s no doubt that, while Mercari offers convenience and simplicity, eBay provides a more professional selling environment with greater flexibility. Plus, they have a great resource base!

If you’re still confused, you may want to ask yourself which goal you wish to aim for. 

If you are looking to establish a side hustle or career in online selling, eBay is recommended. However, if you prefer a straightforward and hassle-free selling experience for occasional or casual selling, Mercari can be a suitable option for you. 

The Pros of Selling On Mercari

You can enjoy the following benefits with Mercari: 

• Simple and user-friendly platform.

• Easy to use for both buying and selling.

• Allows selling a wide variety of items, both new and used.

• Popular for its “online flea market” concept.

• Quick and easy signup process with minimal requirements.

• Provides a mobile app for on-the-go selling.

• Offers competitive and cost-effective seller fees.

• Allows sellers to set their own shipping preferences and offers shipping protection.

• Provides a platform for sellers to reach a large user base and potential buyers.

• Supports communication between buyers and sellers through comments and 

messaging.

• Allows sellers to track their sales and earnings conveniently.

The Pros of Selling on eBay

The pros of selling on ebay are far and wide. Here are benefits you get: 

• Established and reputable platform with a large user base.

• Offers the option to sell through auctions, allowing for potential higher selling prices.

• Provides more flexibility in pricing options, including fixed rates and bidding.

• Allows you to reach a global audience and access international markets.

• Offers seller protection and a money-back guarantee for certain transactions.

• Provides excellent customer support and a help center.

• Allows you to customize their listings with detailed product information.

• Offers seller analytics and sales reports to track performance and make data-driven decisions.

• Offers promotional opportunities to increase visibility and sales.

• Supports a wide range of product categories, allowing you to list diverse items.

• eBay offers seller discounts and incentives, such as fee promotions and seller rewards programs.

• Provides a comprehensive feedback system that helps establish trust and reputation for sellers.

• Provides integration with third-party tools and services to enhance the selling experience.

• Offers cross-promotion opportunities and the ability to create customized promotions to boost sales like you can use facebook marketplace 

Mercari Or Ebay For Buyers

Both Mercari and eBay have established themselves as trustworthy platforms for buying, but eBay has a longer history and stricter regulations in place, making it generally considered more trustworthy for buyers. 

If you are a buyer, you will look for safety. The extensive buyer protection policies, feedback system, and strong emphasis on seller accountability contribute to eBay’s reputation as a reliable platform for online purchases. It’s considered to be safer, less scammy and might have better seller quality as well.

So Is Mercari better than eBay?

So, which is better? While it all comes to your needs, the pros and cons do have an effect on how you may think about a platform. We do advise you to weigh the goods against the bads when you are deciding. 

While Mercari offers its own set of benefits and advantages, when it comes to choosing between Mercari and eBay, eBay emerges as the platform that offers a more comprehensive and advantageous selling experience.

FAQs

Does eBay charge if you dont sell?

Yes, eBay charges fees to you as a seller even if your items don’t sell. They have insertion fees for listing items, which are non-refundable regardless of whether the item sells or not.

Is it easier to sell on Mercari than ebay?

In terms of ease of selling, Mercari is generally considered to be easier than eBay. Mercari has a simpler and more user-friendly interface, requiring less information and fewer steps to list and sell items. This ease of use makes it more convenient for new or casual sellers. 

Is mercari safer than ebay?

When it comes to safety, both Mercari and eBay have their own measures in place, but eBay is often perceived as safer due to its stricter buyer and seller rules. 

Final Thoughts

This ebay mercari comparison should put things to bed for you. So, when it comes to choosing between Mercari and eBay as a selling platform, both have their own strengths and weaknesses but what you choose will depend on your choice and needs. 

As someone who has experience using both platforms, we personally prefer eBay. We value the additional options and features it offers, the greater level of seller protection, and the ability to reach a larger audience of potential buyers. 

Consider your specific goals, the types of products you sell, your level of experience, and the level of support and protection you require.