Today, we will compare mercari vs ebay head-to-head. You will get to know if is mercari better than eBay, and what their advantages are against each other.
Choosing the right suitable platform among Mercari and eBay will give you an upper hand in your business. Don’t you ever wish something you had known earlier? You will definitely thank yourself for knowing the perks of eBay and Mercari before getting started.

This article will discuss:

• At A Glance: Ebay Vs Mercari
• Comparison of Mercari vs eBay
• Pros And Cons Of Selling On Mercari Vs Ebay
• Which Is The Best Mercari Vs Ebay For Sellers
• FAQs
• Conclusion

So without further ado, let’s start our journey.

At A Glance: Ebay Vs Mercari 

Mercari and eBay are both online marketplaces where people can buy and sell various items. However, they have some differences in their features, fees, and user base.

eBay is an established platform that has been operating since 1995. It has a large and diverse customer base, with millions of users from different countries and regions. 

eBay offers a variety of products, from new to used, from cheap to expensive, from common to rare. eBay charges sellers for listing their items and also takes a cut of the final sale price. 

However, it also provides sellers with many tools and options to customize their listings, reach more buyers, and grow their business.

Mercari is a newer platform that launched in 2013 in Japan and expanded to the US in 2014. It has a smaller but growing customer base, with mostly young and tech-savvy users. 

Mercari specializes in selling items quickly and easily through its mobile app. It does not charge sellers for listing their items, but it takes a flat 10% commission on every sale. 

Mercari has a simple and user-friendly interface, with no complicated features or options. It is ideal for sellers who want to declutter their homes or make some extra cash.

Why Compare Mercari And Ebay?

Selling online is a great way to make money, but you need to pick the right platform for your products. How do you decide which one to use?

You should think about these factors when you compare eBay and Mercari:

• How much do you pay for shipping?
• How much do you pay for listing fees?
• How many customers can you reach?
• How good is the customer service?
• How easy is it to return items?
• How fast can you get your money?

Comparison of Mercari vs eBay

Mercari and eBay are both popular online marketplaces in 2023, but they have different features that suit different sellers. You should weigh the pros and cons of each one before you start selling.

Fee structure- ebay vs mercari fees

Mercari charges a flat 10% commission, whereas eBay charges a variable fee based on the category and selling price.

While eBay charges a non-refundable listing fee even if the item doesn’t sell, Mercari charges $0.50 for every sale.

Mercari charges 2.9% of the purchase price for payment processing, while eBay charges additional fees for promotional tools and features.

Mercari provides unlimited free listings, whereas eBay provides 250 free listings per month and charges $0.35 for additional listings.

In contrast to eBay’s classified ads, which require meeting the buyer in person, Mercari offers a Mercari Local option for local selling with a delivery fee. 

Overall, Mercari generally has lower fees compared to eBay for most product categories. However, eBay may have lower fees for certain categories, and it offers additional promotional tools and features. 

The choice between the two platforms depends on the seller’s specific needs, business size, and target audience.

Seller Protection and Return Policy on eBay and Mercuri

Seller Protection on Mercari:

• Buyers are generally valued more than sellers.
• Returns must be requested within 3 days of arrival with a valid reason.
• Payment is held until both the seller and buyer have rated each other, up to 3 days after delivery.
• Delayed ratings from buyers can result in a longer wait for funds.

eBay Seller Protection:

• Strict rating system for sellers, with potential negative impact for late shipments, order cancellations, or bad reviews.
• Performance reviews are conducted on every account periodically, evaluating the quality of listings and transactions.
• Sellers can choose their preferred return policy.
• PayPal’s return policy may require sellers to handle returns automatically.
• eBay’s “Money Back Guarantee” ensures sellers receive payment for shipped items in case of non-payment.

Buyers are more valued than sellers on both platforms. This is quite obvious, isn’t it? Both platforms have seller protection policies in place, but the specifics and effectiveness may differ. 

To ensure their protection, sellers must understand and follow the policies of each platform. You have to consider the risk and customer base associated with your products.

Shipping

• Mercari has a simpler shipping fee structure, with prepaid shipping options and calculated fees based on weight, size, and location.
• Mercari offers shipping protection for up to $200 for lost or damaged items.
• eBay provides more flexibility in shipping options, including a range of carriers and the ability to offer free or chargeable shipping.
• eBay offers international shipping services, expanding the reach of sellers to a global audience.
• Both platforms have partnerships with major carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx.

Overall, the choice between Mercari and eBay for shipping depends on the seller’s preferences and needs. Mercari offers simplicity and protection for domestic shipping, while eBay provides more flexibility, including international shipping options. 

Sellers should consider factors such as item size, weight, destination, and cost-effectiveness when deciding which platform is best for their shipping needs.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a complete overview of similar marketplaces? Here it goes.

Ultimately, the best platform for you may depend on your personal goals and preferences as a seller. You may also want to try out different platforms and see which one works best for you. There are tools to help you research products, optimize listings, compare fees, and streamline shipping across different platforms.

Pros And Cons Of Selling On Mercari Vs Ebay

What makes a marketplace better than others? Well, in this competitive age, no one wants to fall behind. All the marketplaces are trying to get more traction and offering lucrative benefits. So, you will find it difficult to opt out of any of them.

The following table was created for you so that you can easily understand the advantages and disadvantages of selling on Mercari

The following table was created for you so that you can easily understand the advantages and disadvantages of selling on eBay

Which Is The Best Mercari Vs Ebay For Sellers?

So, what do you think? It’s now boiled down to your products, right?

If you are looking for a risk-free start, Mercari is the best place for you.
If you are ready to face the global audience and know your way to keep shipping costs lower, you can start listing on eBay as well.

Mercari is popular among youngsters and bargain hunters. Most of the audience is there for fashion items. So, keeping that in mind, you can choose the best fit for you.

FAQs

What Are The Seller’s Reviews On Mercari Vs Ebay Reddit?

Mercari has fewer fees, faster payouts, easier returns, and fewer scammers than Ebay, but also less traffic, a lower sell-through rate, more lowballers, and no shopping cart feature.

Ebay has more buyers, more exposure, more niche items, and more flexibility than Mercari, but also higher fees, longer payouts, more returns, and more scammers.

Zahidzaman says, “For certain things, I prefer Mercari, especially since a transaction is closed 3 days after delivery minimizing abusive returns plus, they don’t charge a commission on shipping, unlike eBay. But for certain niche items, it’s hard to beat eBay since it’s a much larger user base.”

You can read more reviews and opinions by clicking on the links below:

Mercari vs Ebay… : r/Flipping – Reddit

What Are The Customers Review On Mercari Vs Ebay Reddit? 

Some items sell better on Mercari than on Ebay, such as video games, Pokemon cards, clothes, and electronics.

“Ebay has more variety, more security, more options, and more customer service than Mercari, but also higher prices, longer shipping, more returns, and more scams”

Is Selling On Mercari Better Than Ebay?

The best-selling platform is determined by the items you sell, the company’s initial prices, and your target audience.

Is Mercari More Secure Than Ebay?

Both platforms for e-commerce are legal and trustworthy. However, you have to watch out for the scammers.

Is It Possible For Me To Sell On Both Platforms?

Yes, you can list items on eBay and Mercari simultaneously, and many sellers do. Crosslisting is the practice of increasing exposure for your listings in order to speed up sales.

Which Is Cheaper, Selling on Mercari or eBay?

For most product categories, Mercari has lower fees than eBay and is the less expensive way. 

However, Comparing seller fees between the two platforms is always worthwhile because, in some product categories, such as more expensive ones like instruments or designer shoes, eBay has lower fees than Mercari.

Conclusion

Selling online is growing to be the first choice for new businesses. A good start will boost you up in the game. The larger your presence is, the wider your audience. So, why not list your products in multiple marketplaces? 

This can be time-consuming and tiresome in the beginning, but it will be worth the effort.

But start slow and steady. And we always appreciate the initial research that you are doing right now!