Online reselling has never been more accessible, with platforms like Mercari and eBay making it easy for anyone to turn clutter into cash. But which platform offers the best experience—and most profit—for sellers? In this guide, we’ll compare the two side by side to help you decide where your time and inventory are best invested.

Ease of Listing: Which Platform Is More Seller-Friendly?

For any online seller, the listing process is where everything begins. A seamless, intuitive system can save hours, especially if you post multiple items regularly. Both Mercari and eBay have their own approach to creating listings, and the experience can vary dramatically depending on your needs and familiarity with online marketplaces.

Mercari: Fast, App-Centered, and Simple

Mercari is ideal for first-time or casual sellers who want to list items quickly without much setup. Most users create listings directly from their smartphones, and Mercari’s interface is built for mobile-first functionality. The process is streamlined:

1. Upload 3–12 photos
2. Enter a title and description
3. Select a category (or let Mercari auto-suggest)
4. Set a price (with optional Smart Pricing)
5. Choose shipping options

Mercari also offers tools like price comparison suggestions, a built-in camera tool, and basic editing tips to improve your product images—all within the app. There’s no need to fiddle with complex settings like item condition levels, international policies, or return settings unless you want to.

eBay: Feature-Rich but Steeper Learning Curve

eBay’s listing system is robust, with more options and flexibility, which is especially beneficial to experienced sellers or those running high-volume operations. You can list from both the desktop and the app and choose between fixed-price or auction formats.

Here’s where eBay gets more complex:

• Multiple item conditions (new, like new, refurbished, etc.)
• Detailed item specifics (model number, brand, color, material)
• Custom business policies (returns, payment terms, shipping)
• Promotions and shipping discounts
• Cross-border listing options
• Bulk listing via CSV uploads or selling manager tools

While eBay’s interface is not difficult to use, it definitely demands more attention to detail. Those added inputs also make your listings more searchable, which can drive higher visibility in search results.

Key Takeaway: Mercari makes listing fast and stress-free, perfect for occasional sellers who want to post and go. eBay, while more time-consuming, offers powerful listing features that help advanced sellers scale, automate, and optimize their sales. If you’re starting or selling occasionally, Mercari is the easier on-ramp. If you’re building a business, eBay gives you the tools to grow.

Fees and Payouts: Who Takes a Bigger Cut?

Understanding how much each sale actually earns you is crucial when choosing between platforms. While listing items may be free or easy, the real cost comes after the sale through fees, payment processing, and how quickly you get paid. Both Mercari and eBay have different approaches to seller fees and payout timelines, and the right choice for you depends on your selling volume, item type, and long-term goals.

Mercari: Transparent and Flat-Rate Simplicity

Mercari keeps things straightforward. There are no listing fees, and the site takes a flat 10% selling fee of the final sale price, regardless of the type of item you are selling. In addition, there’s a payment processing fee of 2.9% + $0.50 per transaction.

Let’s break that down with an example:

• You sell an item for $40
• Mercari takes 10% ($4.00) + $1.66 in payment processing fees
• Your payout is $34.34 (before shipping)

Payouts are released once the buyer rates the transaction, which typically happens within a day or two of delivery. If the buyer doesn’t respond within three days, Mercari automatically finalizes the sale and releases your funds. The remaining amount can then be credited to your bank account or used as cash for additional Mercari transactions.

eBay: More Variables, More Possibilities

eBay’s fee structure is more nuanced and more customizable. Here are the key components:

• Final Value Fee: Typically 13.25%, though this can vary by category. Some high-end or specialty items (e.g., watches, electronics) may be charged a lower or higher percentage.
• Listing Fees: The first 250 listings per month are free. After that, each listing costs $0.35 unless you subscribe to an eBay Store.
• Optional Fees: You can pay extra for bold fonts, subtitle features, promoted listings, reserve prices, or scheduling tools.

eBay’s Managed Payments system automatically deducts fees before depositing the net balance directly into your bank account, typically 1–3 business days after the item is delivered and confirmed. Unlike Mercari, eBay doesn’t require buyer ratings to process payouts.

eBay also offers seller tools to offset these fees, like store subscriptions, which reduce per-item fees and provide analytics tools and bulk listing features for power sellers.

Key Takeaway: Mercari is ideal for casual or occasional sellers thanks to its simple, flat-rate fees and fast payout process. eBay, while potentially more expensive and complex, gives serious sellers the tools to optimize fees and grow long-term profits. If transparency and ease are your top concerns, Mercari takes the edge. If you’re running a volume-driven resale business, eBay might ultimately give you more value despite the higher cut.

Shipping Options and Buyer Expectations

Shipping can make or break the selling experience. For sellers, it affects convenience, profit margins, and customer satisfaction. Buyers, in turn, expect quick and reliable delivery—and, in some cases, free shipping. Both Mercari and eBay offer flexible solutions, but they differ in terms of who handles what and how much control you have over the process.

Mercari: Prepaid, Protected, and Streamlined

Mercari keeps shipping as easily as possible. You have the following options when creating a listing:

• Mercari Pre-paid Label: Discounted USPS, UPS, or FedEx shipping with tracking and protection
• Mercari Pack & Ship: Let The UPS Store pack and ship your item (usually for large or fragile items)
• Use Your Shipping: For sellers who want more control, though it requires more legwork

Most sellers go with pre-paid labels, which are auto-generated once a sale is made. You print, pack, and drop off. Better yet, Mercari offers shipping protection (up to $200) if you use their label, covering lost or damaged items.

Buyers on Mercari are generally more forgiving when it comes to shipping speed, especially if the seller communicates clearly. Since the platform leans toward casual users, expectations are more relaxed, though prompt shipping still leads to better ratings and faster payouts.

eBay: Flexible, Customizable, and Business-Oriented

eBay offers a full range of shipping options, ideal for sellers who want control over every detail. You can choose:

• Calculated Shipping: eBay determines cost based on weight and distance
• Flat Rate Shipping: You set a fixed price
• Free Shipping: Encouraged by eBay for search ranking and buyer appeal
• Local Pickup: Ideal for bulky items
• International Shipping: Via eBay’s Global Shipping Program or your method

Sellers are expected to handle shipping promptly, and eBay rewards this with seller ratings and Top Rated Seller status. However, you also shoulder more responsibility: label printing, selecting package sizes, comparing carrier prices, and deciding whether to insure the shipment.

eBay buyers tend to have higher expectations, especially regarding fast shipping, professional packaging, and detailed tracking updates. This is particularly true in competitive categories like electronics and collectibles.

Key Takeaway: Mercari is perfect for sellers who want a stress-free, hands-off shipping process—thanks to pre-paid labels, built-in tracking, and automatic protection. eBay offers unmatched flexibility and control, making it ideal for experienced or high-volume sellers who want to tailor the shipping experience. If convenience is your top priority, Mercari wins. If you need precision and customization, eBay is a better fit.

Types of Items That Sell Best on Each Platform

Not all marketplaces attract the same type of buyers or cater to the same kind of inventory. While Mercari and eBay are both well-known resale platforms, they draw different audiences with different shopping habits. Choosing the right platform for your product category can dramatically improve your sell-through rate and reduce wasted effort.

Mercari: Great for Everyday Goods and Lifestyle Items

Mercari has carved out a niche with casual sellers and younger users, especially through its mobile-first app experience. Shoppers here are typically looking for good deals on lightly used or new everyday items. Sellers benefit from Mercari’s algorithm that highlights recent, relevant listings in a visually clean, scrollable format.

Top-selling categories on Mercari include:

• Clothing and Fashion Accessories: Fast fashion, athletic wear, handbags, and trendy brands (like Shein, Lululemon, or Zara) perform well.
• Beauty and Skincare: Lightly used or new items (e.g., unopened skincare, makeup, hair tools) are popular.
• Small Electronics: Things like earbuds, smartphones, gaming accessories, or home gadgets often sell quickly.
• Home and Kitchen Goods: Storage bins, small appliances, decorative items, and cookware do well.
• Baby and Kids’ Items: Outgrown clothes, toys, and gear (like carriers or monitors) are highly searchable.
• Casual Hobby Items: Journals, crafting supplies, and lightweight collectibles find traction.

The common theme? Affordable, approachable products that appeal to mobile shoppers browsing in their downtime.

eBay: The Marketplace for Collectibles, Niche, and High-Value Goods

eBay’s strength lies in its global reach and collector-driven marketplace. It’s not just a place to offload used goods—many buyers come specifically for rare, vintage, or category-specific finds. Its advanced filters and auction format also support long-tail items that take time to sell but can command higher margins.

Best-performing categories on eBay include:

• Collectibles and Memorabilia: Trading cards, coins, vintage toys, and pop culture items (especially from the ’80s—’90s).
• Electronics and Tech: Refurbished phones, vintage audio gear, video game consoles, computer parts, and accessories.
• Luxury and Designer Fashion: Watches, handbags, and premium apparel brands like Gucci, Chanel, and Rolex—especially with authentication.
• Automotive Parts and Tools: From rare car parts to power tools, DIY and repair buyers rely on eBay’s global network.
• Books and Media: Out-of-print titles, manuals, music memorabilia, and niche academic materials often sell best here.
• Specialty Hobby Goods: eBay’s dedicated user base welcomes high-end camera equipment, model kits, instruments, and more.

eBay also benefits sellers who are looking to scale operations with inventory tracking, multi-quantity listings, and third-party integrations for order fulfillment.

Key Takeaway: Mercari shines for quick-turnaround, low-maintenance goods like clothes, electronics, and home items. It’s the best choice for sellers looking to declutter or flip lifestyle products with minimal effort. eBay, by contrast, is ideal for niche, collectible, or high-value inventory—especially if you’re targeting a global or specialty audience. The key is matching the platform to the product and buyer behavior.

Customer Service and Dispute Resolution: Who Has Your Back?

Even the smoothest transactions can encounter issues—late deliveries, damaged items, or buyers claiming an item isn’t as described. That’s where customer service and dispute resolution systems come into play. For sellers, it’s essential to know how well a platform supports them when things go wrong. Mercari and eBay both offer systems for resolving disputes, but they differ in how protective they are of sellers and how disputes are handled.

Mercari: Simple System, Buyer-Focused Resolution

Mercari keeps its customer service process straightforward, but some sellers feel it favors buyers. After a sale, Mercari requires the buyer to rate the seller before funds are released. If there’s an issue, such as a damaged or not-as-described item, the buyer can request a return within 3 days of delivery.

Here’s how it works:

• The buyer submits a return request with photos and an explanation.
• Mercari’s team reviews the claim and makes a decision.
• If approved, the buyer receives a return shipping label.
• Once the item is returned and inspected, Mercari cancels the sale and refunds the buyer.

Sellers aren’t completely powerless—if the return seems unfair, you can respond to the claim and offer context or clarification. However, Mercari typically favors the buyer unless there’s clear evidence of misuse or dishonesty.

That said, if you use Mercari’s pre-paid shipping label, your package is insured for up to $200 for loss or damage. Their help center is accessible through chat or email, and most basic issues are resolved within 24–48 hours.

eBay: Structured Appeals, but Requires Seller Savvy

eBay offers a more robust but complex dispute resolution framework. Sellers are given more tools to defend themselves, but familiarity with the platform’s policies is required.

Here’s how eBay handles common problems:

• If a buyer opens a “Request for Return” or “Item Not As Described” case, you have the option to accept, dispute, or provide a partial refund.
• You can upload proof—photos, delivery confirmation, or communication history—to support your position.
• If eBay sides with the buyer, the platform may issue a refund from your account automatically.
• However, you may appeal a decision if you believe the outcome was incorrect.

eBay also offers Seller Protection policies, which help shield you from fraudulent returns, item-switching, or negative feedback in qualifying cases. If you meet Top Rated Seller standards, you’re given additional benefits like partial refund options and enhanced credibility during disputes.

Although wait times vary, customer care can be contacted by phone, email, or chat. For high-volume or professional sellers, eBay’s protections can offer a solid safety net, assuming you’re proactive and document your transactions well.

Key Takeaway: Mercari offers fast, streamlined dispute handling, which is great for casual sellers but can feel one-sided in favor of buyers. eBay, while more complex, provides stronger protections for experienced sellers who understand how to document and respond to issues. If you want quick support and don’t sell high-risk items, Mercari will likely be sufficient. For high-value sales or sellers who need more control and accountability, eBay’s detailed policies make it a more secure choice—if you know how to use them.

Conclusion

So, which is better?

• Choose Mercari if you’re a casual seller, want quick listings, and prefer an app-first experience.
• Choose eBay if you’re looking to scale, sell collectibles, or need robust selling tools.

Ultimately, both platforms have their place. Some sellers even use both—leveraging Mercari for lightweight, fast-moving items and eBay for high-value, specialized goods.

FAQs

Can I sell the same item on both Mercari and eBay?

Yes, but be sure to remove it from one platform once it sells on the other to avoid double-selling.

Do I need a business license to sell on either platform?

No, but frequent or high-volume sellers may be subject to tax reporting and may want to register as a business.

Does Mercari or eBay offer shipping insurance?

Mercari includes protection with its pre-paid labels. eBay sellers must add it manually or use carrier insurance.

Which app has better customer service?

Mercari has faster support for casual issues. eBay has more detailed escalation options for complex cases.

Can I sell internationally on both platforms?

eBay allows international shipping and has a Global Shipping Program. Mercari is U.S.-only for now.

Additional Resources

• Mercari Selling Guide – Official support for Mercari sellers
• eBay Seller Center – Tutorials and policy breakdowns
• eBay Fees Explained – Breakdown of costs by category
• Mercari Shipping Options – How Mercari handles shipping
• eBay Shipping Basics – eBay’s guide to shipping