Whether you’re a new and aspiring writer or someone who wants to make a business selling books, both Amazon and eBay are great options for selling books. But in our opinion, Amazon has a much wider reach for books compared to eBay. Not a lot of people would go to eBay to search for books.
That being said, however, depending on your situation, the auction-style format of eBay may be enticing to a lot of readers, especially those that want older, second-hand books.
So let’s check out a more in-depth comparison of the two platforms when it comes to bookselling.
Selling Books On Amazon Vs eBay
Did you know that Amazon started out as a book-selling website and then later expanded to become the eCommerce giant it is today? No wonder it’s one of the best options for selling books.
On the other hand, eBay is more targeted toward selling antiques and collectibles. In that sense, you can also get used, rare, editions of books there.
But there’s a lot more to it when deciding which one is better in the long run. Let’s dive right in.
Market Share
In terms of market share for selling books, Amazon holds a significant advantage over eBay. The Amazon marketplace dominance stems from its dedicated focus on books and its vast customer base.
As the world’s largest online marketplace, Amazon provides a seamless buying experience, robust distribution channels, and extensive marketing opportunities for Kindle authors and publishers as well as people looking to sell physical copies.
With features like Kindle Direct Publishing and Kindle Unlimited, Amazon has revolutionized the ebook industry.
While eBay also allows book sales, its market share in this specific category is comparatively smaller. eBay’s auction-style format may appeal more to collectors seeking rare or out-of-print editions rather than catering to the broader book-buying market.
eBay offers a platform for individuals to sell used books or engage in niche book markets, attracting a different customer segment.
Especially for those of you selling eBooks, the market can be bleak on eBay.
For sellers looking to maximize their reach and sales potential in the book market, Amazon’s dominant market share and comprehensive book-selling infrastructure make it the preferred platform.
Seller Fees
When it comes to eBay vs Amazon selling fees, there are some notable differences.
eBay adopts a fee structure based on listing fees, final value fees, optional add-ons, and seller subscriptions. Sellers are charged a fee to list an item, which varies based on factors like the listing format, category, and duration.
Additionally, eBay charges a final value fee as a percentage of the total sale price (including shipping costs). Optional features, such as promoted listings or additional listing enhancements, also incur additional fees.
eBay offers different subscription plans, such as eBay Stores, which provide discounted eBay fees and additional benefits for sellers.
On the other hand, Amazon’s fee structure is primarily composed of referral fees and variable closing fees. Referral fees are calculated as a percentage of the item’s sale price (excluding shipping) and vary based on the category.
Certain categories may have variable closing fees, which apply to media items like books. However, Amazon’s fee structure may vary based on the specific selling plan chosen by the seller, such as the Individual or Professional selling plans.
In general, eBay’s fee structure offers more flexibility and options for sellers, allowing them to choose the features and subscription level that best aligns with their selling needs.
Amazon’s fee structure is more streamlined but may have lower referral fees in some categories.
It’s crucial for you to carefully analyze their selling volume, item types, and other factors to determine which platform offers the most cost-effective fee structure for their specific book-selling business.
Fulfillment methods
Amazon provides a comprehensive fulfillment service called Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). With Amazon FBA, sellers can send their inventory to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, where Amazon takes care of storage, packaging, shipping, and customer service.
This means that when a book is sold, Amazon handles all aspects of order fulfillment, including picking, packing, and shipping. FBA also offers benefits like Prime eligibility, which can enhance product visibility and customer trust.
In contrast, eBay does not offer a dedicated fulfillment service like FBA. Sellers on eBay are typically responsible for their own order fulfillment processes. This means for eBay sales, the seller needs to handle inventory storage, packaging, shipping, and customer service themselves.
Sellers do however have the flexibility to choose their preferred shipping methods and carriers.
The key difference is that Amazon’s FBA streamlines the fulfillment process by leveraging its extensive logistics network, allowing sellers to focus on other aspects of their business. In contrast, eBay leaves the fulfillment process primarily in the hands of the sellers.
Ultimately, sellers looking for a simplified and efficient fulfillment process may find Amazon’s FBA advantageous.
Return and Refund Policy
Amazon has a well-established and customer-centric return policy. It offers a standardized approach, often referred to as the “A-to-Z Guarantee,” which ensures a fair and consistent experience for both buyers and sellers.
Under this policy, buyers can request returns for eligible items within a specified timeframe, typically 30 days. Amazon facilitates the return process, providing prepaid shipping labels and handling the refund once the item is received.
Sellers are expected to adhere to Amazon’s return policies and may be responsible for covering return shipping costs.
eBay’s return and refund policies are more flexible and customizable. Sellers on eBay have the freedom to set their own return policies, such as specifying return timeframes and conditions.
Buyers can request returns based on the seller’s stated policy, which can vary from seller to seller
eBay encourages sellers to offer returns and provides guidelines to ensure a positive buyer experience. In case of disputes or issues, eBay provides a resolution center where buyers and sellers can communicate and attempt to reach a resolution.
So while from the POV of the seller, the refund policies of Amazon can be a bit strict, it does ensure that the customer is stress-free and can trust the seller. With eBay, you have a lot more control.
Safety
If you’re wondering between Amazon vs eBay, which is safer, then Amazon wins again.
Amazon has strict policies and robust systems to ensure the safety of transactions. It offers features like Verified Rights Owner (VeRO) program to protect against copyright infringement and counterfeit products.
Amazon also provides seller performance metrics and customer feedback ratings, helping buyers make informed decisions. Their fulfillment service (FBA) offers secure storage and shipping, minimizing the risk of fraudulent transactions.
eBay also prioritizes safety but takes a slightly different approach. It offers seller protection programs, such as Seller Protection Policy, which safeguards sellers against certain fraudulent claims.
eBay has a feedback system where buyers can rate sellers, providing transparency and helping build trust. However, it’s worth noting that eBay’s auction-style format may have slightly more risk associated with buyer disputes and unpaid items, which sellers need to manage.
Reasons Why Selling Books on Amazon is Better than eBay
Apart from their differences, there are several other reasons why I’m recommending Amazon over eBay. Here’s why.
- Vast Customer Base
Amazon has a significantly larger customer base compared to eBay. This means a higher potential for book sales and exposure to a larger audience of book buyers.
It is also popular worldwide and gives you access to a much wider audience. From fiction to textbooks, it doesn’t matter which category you wish to sell in, Amazon has the customers for it.
This means no matter what you’re willing to sell, you’re way more likely to get more sales on Amazon than on eBay.
- Book-Specific Focus
Amazon has a dedicated focus on books as a product category. It offers specialized features such as Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) for self-publishing e-books and Kindle Unlimited for subscription-based reading.
This focus attracts book enthusiasts and increases the chances of selling books successfully.
And considering people are more likely to look for new books on Amazon, you can get away with higher prices than you would have on eBay. Books sell for more on Amazon. So more profits!
- Prime Membership Advantage
Amazon Prime members enjoy free and fast shipping on eligible products, which can be a significant incentive for customers to purchase books from Amazon. Selling books on Amazon makes your listings eligible for Prime, increasing the chances of attracting buyers.
- Brand Reputation and Trust
Amazon is a globally recognized and trusted brand. Buyers often feel more confident purchasing books from Amazon due to its reputation for reliability, customer service, and buyer protection programs. This established trust can help boost sales and attract potential customers.
- Enhanced Marketing Opportunities
Amazon provides various marketing tools and opportunities to promote your books, such as sponsored product ads and personalized recommendations. These features increase visibility and exposure for your book listings, improving the likelihood of making sales.
Which books sell most on Amazon and eBay?
The books that sell the most on Amazon and eBay can vary, but some general trends can be observed:
On Amazon
- Bestsellers and Popular Titles: Current bestsellers, popular fiction, and non-fiction books tend to perform well on Amazon due to the platform’s wide customer base and the convenience of purchasing new books.
- Self-Help and Personal Development: Books in the self-help, personal development, and business categories are often in high demand on Amazon as customers look for resources to improve various aspects of their lives.
- Children’s Books: Amazon is a popular destination for purchasing children’s books, including picture books, middle-grade novels, and educational materials.
On eBay
- Collectible and Rare Books: eBay attracts collectors and enthusiasts seeking rare and out-of-print books. Vintage editions, first editions, signed copies, and other unique editions tend to perform well on eBay’s platform.
- Niche and Specialized Books: eBay’s diverse marketplace allows sellers to reach specific audiences interested in niche subjects like specialized hobbies, academic textbooks, or technical manuals.
- Limited Editions and Box Sets: Exclusive editions, limited releases, and book sets can generate interest and demand on eBay among collectors and fans of particular authors or series.
Is Amazon a good place to sell used books?
If you want to build a business selling used books on Amazon, then you can expect to see profits rolling in after a few months. It is an excellent platform to sell used books.
With a large customer base and a dedicated book category, you have a higher chance of finding interested buyers specifically looking for used books.
Amazon’s competitive pricing options allow you to set attractive prices for your used books, making them appealing to budget-conscious buyers.
The Buy Box feature, if you meet the criteria, can significantly boost sales by giving you increased visibility.
Amazon SEO works with you and not against you and makes it easier for you to rank higher in specific categories to make more sales.
Is eBay good for used books?
Yes, eBay is an excellent platform for selling used books, including rare books and collectibles. Its marketplace attracts book collectors and enthusiasts who actively seek out unique and out-of-print editions.
Sellers can take advantage of eBay’s specialized categories and listing options to showcase the rarity and collectibility of their books. Furthermore, eBay’s auction-style format allows sellers to generate interest and potentially fetch higher prices for valuable second-hand books.
Whether it’s a rare first edition or a sought-after collectible, eBay provides a dedicated space for reaching buyers who appreciate the value and significance of these literary treasures.
FAQs
Can I sell PDF books on eBay?
Yes, you can definitely sell your digital books on eBay in PDF format. Just make sure to follow all the regulations eBay has for digital or eBooks. The content of the book must be original and yours. You can’t sell copyrighted or pirated digital books on eBay.
Does Amazon sell books in PDF?
Yes, Amazon sells books in PDF. While PDF is not the primary format for eBooks on Amazon, you can still find some titles available in PDF format in the Amazon Kindle Store.
Can I sell my book on Amazon and eBay without a publisher?
Yes, you can sell your book on both Amazon and eBay without a publisher. On Amazon, you can use Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) to self-publish eBooks and paperbacks. On eBay, you can create listings for physical books or use the Digital Delivery system for eBooks. Make sure to follow the platforms’ guidelines and have the necessary rights to sell your book.
How many books need to be sold to be a bestseller on Amazon?
There’s no fixed number to hit when it comes to becoming a bestseller on Amazon. Amazon flags books as bestsellers in different categories. So based on your competition, you can even get the bestseller in that category with just 10 sales in a day. So in each category, that number to hit is different. The time in which you hit those numbers is also important.
Final Thoughts
While we do suggest Amazon for those of you looking to make profits or make a business out of selling books, eBay isn’t that bad either for individuals.
If you want to sell old books you have lying around or maybe a rare, signed collectible then eBay can also be a good place for you.
We hope this guide helped you choose the right platform to sell your books.
