Mercari vs eBay [2023]: Which Platform Is Right for You?

Are you looking to start a side hustle by selling your used items online, but don’t know where to turn?

Mercari and eBay are two of the most popular websites for buying and selling goods, so which one is right for you?

Today, we’ll compare Mercari vs eBay to help you decide which platform will offer the best opportunities when it comes time to sell your unwanted possessions.

Keep reading as we examine everything from fees and convenience factors down to trustworthiness and ease of use!

What Is Mercari?

Mercari is an online marketplace for buying and selling new, used, vintage, and handmade items.

Founded in 2013 by Shintaro Yamada in Tokyo, Japan as a mobile shopping app, it quickly became the most downloaded e-commerce platform that year.

Since then, its user base has grown rapidly to over 10 million users across Europe and North America!

Mercari allows people to sell their unwanted goods from clothing or electronics to homeware and collectibles, all without having any fees charged until you make your first sale.

Once you have sold something on Mercari there are some charges associated with cashing out but they’re very minimal compared to other marketplaces such as eBay.

As well as being able to list products easily using just your smartphone camera, which makes uploading product images quick & easy.

The main appeal of using Mercari lies within its trustworthiness: buyers can rate each purchase after completion ensuring everyone knows who they’re dealing with when making transactions.

What Is eBay?

eBay is an online auction and shopping website that allows users to buy, sell or trade goods with one another.

It was founded in 1995 by Pierre Omidyar as AuctionWeb.

The company began trading publicly on the NASDAQ stock exchange under its current name in 1998 and has since become a global force for e-commerce.

On eBay you can find anything from cars to clothes, electronics to antiques, it’s all available at the click of a button!

Whether you’re looking for something new or used, chances are high that eBay will have what you need.

As well as being able to bid on items directly via auctions (in which case buyers typically get better deals) shoppers can also purchase products outright if they want them right away without having any competition involved whatsoever.

With millions of sellers around the world offering millions of unique items up for sale every day, there’s no shortage of interesting products waiting to be discovered on this enormous marketplace!

eBay vs Mercari Features

When deciding which marketplace platform to use for selling your items, it’s important to consider the features of both eBay and Mercari.

Let’s take a look at what each offers in terms of convenience factors, fees, trustworthiness, and ease of use.

Convenience

Both websites have mobile apps that allow you to easily list items while on the go.

However, unlike eBay with its global reach and multitude of buyers around the world; Mercari is mainly geared towards US customers as well as those living in Japan (where it was founded).

Fees

When selling an item on either site there will be some associated costs, but they differ depending on the type of product being sold and where it is located.

On average though; eBay charges a 10% fee per listing plus an additional 3% payment processing fee whereas Mercari only has one flat 10% commission rate regardless of how much money you make from any sale, making them more cost-effective when considering longer-term sellers who are attempting to build their businesses over time.   

Trustworthiness/Safety

It can be difficult knowing whether or not someone online is trustworthy, particularly when dealing with expensive goods!

Thankfully both sites have robust safety measures built into their platforms such as payment processing safeguards and buyer/seller ratings so that you can be sure of who you’re dealing with.

Additionally; eBay has a “Money Back Guarantee” policy in place which offers some extra protection when something goes wrong.

Whereas Mercari takes a hands-off approach leaving it up to the buyers/sellers to reach an agreement if necessary.

Ease-of-Use

Finally, both sites are fairly simple for users, however, this is largely dependent upon how familiar someone already is with online marketplaces!

That being said; experienced or novice sellers alike should have no trouble navigating around either website’s interfaces as well as listing items quickly & easily.

eBay vs Mercari Fees

When it comes to selling your goods online, the fees involved can make or break a deal.

After all, no one wants to invest in an expensive listing only for their item not to sell!

When comparing Mercari vs eBay fees, there are several important factors that you should consider:

First of all, on eBay, you’ll be charged insertion and final value fee per item listed and sold (with different rate ranges depending on what type of account you have).

This means that after each sale is complete from start to finish, including shipping costs, etc, then around 10% will come off the top as commission for using the platform.

Additionally, PayPal transaction fees may also apply when receiving payments through this method.

Meracri doesn’t charge any upfront listing costs; however, they do take out a flat-rate 10% sales commission whenever an item sells successfully plus credit card processing charges if applicable at 2.9%.

Sellers must factor these into consideration when pricing items accordingly so that profits are still made once those deductions occur post-sale.

eBay vs Mercari User Experience

When it comes to the user experience offered by Mercari and eBay, both have unique advantages that may be beneficial for your selling needs.   

One of the primary differences between these two sites is their target markets: while eBay appeals primarily to serious buyers looking for a variety of items from established sellers, Mercari has become an ideal platform for casual users who want quick cash without too much hassle. 

As such, expect different levels of convenience when using each site.   

Mercari makes buying and selling simple with its streamlined process, there’s no need to take photos or write product descriptions yourself; all you do is enter basic information about the item into their mobile app! 

This feature allows people with even less time on hand (or those just getting started in online selling) to quickly make money through secondhand goods they don’t use anymore without any extra effort. 

Meanwhile, if you’re more experienced as an online seller then eBay could be better suited because it offers additional features like detailed listing creation tools which allow potential customers to see exactly what you are offering before making a purchase decision.

This level of detail can help build trust among buyers and ensure successful sales transactions!

However please bear in mind that setting up listings takes longer than simply entering details into one form.

On the other hand, eBay is a more established and trusted platform for buying and selling goods.

While Mercari’s app-based model offers convenience, eBay has been around longer which means its users are likely to be more serious buyers. 

It also features additional tools like automatic payment processing that make it easier for sellers to manage their finances securely, this feature isn’t available on Mercari at the moment.

In conclusion, both platforms have different strengths when it comes to user experience, it all depends on your goals as an online seller!

If you want quick cash with minimal effort then Mercari might be better suited while if you’re looking for trustworthiness among buyers or need additional listing creation tools then eBay should provide these extra capabilities without issue.

Ultimately choosing between these two sites will depend heavily upon what type of sales experience you wish to offer customers to find success online!

eBay vs Mercari Product Selection and Listing

When it comes to product selection and listing, eBay has the edge over Mercari.

With millions of products for sale, buyers on eBay can access a much wider range of goods than those offered by Mercari.

Sellers have more flexibility when it comes to setting their prices too, whereas on Mercari sellers are restricted in terms of price margins they set and the pricing structure that must be followed.

Listing an item is also simpler with eBay as you’ll need only basic information such as title, description, and photos before publishing your item.

However, with Mercari you’ll need additional details such as condition, brand name or size, etc., which requires extra time spent filling out fields correctly to attract buyers effectively.

Additionally once listed on each platform there’s no guarantee that items will sell straight away due to the competition from other listings!

eBay vs Mercari Return Policy

When it comes to returning policies, eBay and Mercari have very different approaches.

On eBay, buyers are protected under the Money Back Guarantee which allows them to return their item for a refund within 30 days if they received an incorrect or damaged item, or simply changed their mind. 

However, all returns must be sent back at the buyer’s expense and not all items qualify for a full refund; in some cases, sellers may offer partial refunds only after receiving the returned item.

Mercari takes a much more lenient approach with its easy-to-follow return policy: buyers can initiate returns without contacting the seller within 3 days of delivery for any reason whatsoever – no questions asked!

All shipping costs incurred by both parties will also be covered by Mercari itself (the funds deducted from the total amount paid when originally purchasing).

It’s important to note that while these policies make things convenient on both ends of transactions involving used goods sold via either platform, there is still potential risk involved so making sure you understand exactly what you’re buying before clicking ‘buy now’ should always take priority over ease of use benefits alone!

eBay vs Mercari Shipping Fees

When it comes to shipping fees, eBay and Mercari have distinct advantages for buyers and sellers alike.

On both platforms, the cost of shipping is based on weight as well as the distance from the seller’s location, so larger or heavier items tend to incur a higher fee.

For buyers, one major difference between eBay vs Mercari is that with Mercari you are given an estimate upfront when checking out your item, meaning there will be no surprise costs at checkout time!

This makes shopping via Mercari much simpler if you’re looking for a more straightforward buying experience without added charges further down the line.

However, some shoppers may prefer having control over their delivery options through eBay instead.

On both sites, sellers cover the cost of postage but they can also choose to offer free shipping either all the time or under certain conditions such as when multiple items are bought together in bulk, etc.

About the actual pricing structure; on eBay, most standard international shipments range from $10-$20 (excluding insurance) while Mercari has set tiers depending on size/weight starting from just 99c up to around $25 maximum per shipment ($40 US max).

Overall selling fees charged by each platform can vary significantly so please ensure you read each platform’s terms and conditions before making your final decision.

In the end, both sites offer competitive shipping fees, but it is up to you to decide which works best for you in terms of cost, convenience, and reliability.

eBay vs Mercari Buyer & Seller Protection

When it comes to the safety and security of both buyers and sellers on Mercari vs eBay, some important differences need to be considered.

On one hand, eBay offers a comprehensive buyer protection program that provides coverage for items that do not match the description given by the seller or arrive damaged.

Buyers can also get their money back in certain cases if they don’t receive what they paid for.

In addition, eBay has built-in fraud prevention measures such as verification checks when an item is purchased with PayPal or other payment methods.

On Mercari however, there’s less of a focus on buyer protection but more emphasis on seller support systems like insurance programs and customer service teams available 24/7 via phone or online chat.

Sellers have access to tools like automated pricing suggestions based on similar items recently sold to ensure fair market value prices, protecting them from potential underselling losses due to inexperience or negligence during listing setup processes.

Both platforms offer trustworthiness ratings so customers can easily make informed decisions about who they’re buying from before making any purchases!

eBay vs Mercari Customer Support

On eBay’s website, customers can call 1-866-540-3229 (Monday to Friday from 9 am – 5 pm PST) if they require assistance with a problem not addressed in the online Help Center.

Live chat is available 24/7 as well, but only after submitting an inquiry form outlining your issue first.

Additionally, you can reach out via Twitter (@AskeBay), Facebook Messenger (Ebayinc), email ([email protected]), or even snail mail at:

eBay Inc.

2145 Hamilton Avenue

San Jose CA 95125 USA.   

On Mercari’s website, there are various ways to contact Customer Support depending upon which country you live in and whether your question is related to buying or selling items on their marketplace.

However, most countries offer phone number options ranging from 8 AM–9 PM local time during weekdays & weekends; some regions also provide email services!

In addition, there are helpful FAQs located within each category of questions so that users don’t have to search far when seeking assistance with a specific issue.

Mercari also has an online Help Center that is organized by topic and includes helpful videos for navigating their site, resolving disputes, getting started selling on the platform, and more.

Mercari vs eBay for Sellers

When it comes to selling used items online, two of the most popular platforms are Mercari and eBay.

To decide which platform is right for you as a seller, several factors need to be taken into consideration such as fees, convenience factors, trustworthiness, and ease of use.

Mercari offers sellers an easy-to-use interface along with simple listing procedures.

Plus, its flat 10% commission fee on sales makes it more cost-effective than other options available out there.

On top of this, the fact that buyers pay their shipping costs helps keep your expenses low when selling through Mercari!

Additionally, in 2021 they introduced rental capabilities, allowing users to rent products instead of purchasing them outright.

eBay has long been one of the biggest names in online shopping & selling, and for good reason too!

It provides comprehensive listing tools so that every item can be accurately described by sellers; plus their marketplace reaches far beyond what any individual website could offer alone, giving vendors access to potential customers worldwide!

eBay also allows retailers more flexibility when pricing items compared to other services like Amazon or Walmart Marketplace due largely because PayPal’s payment system facilitates buyer protection measures (including refunds) on all purchases made through eBay’s site.

Mercari vs eBay for Buyers

When it comes to buying goods online, Mercari and eBay offer two of the most popular platforms available.

Each platform has its own set of advantages and disadvantages that may make one a better choice than the other for buyers in certain situations. 

For instance, eBay is known for having more variety when it comes to items sold on its site while also providing a level of trustworthiness as they are an established brand with years of experience behind them. 

Meanwhile, Mercari offers competitive prices from sellers who might not be offering their wares anywhere else, making shopping on this app quite exciting!

Furthermore, both apps come with buyer protection guarantees designed to keep you safe during transactions and provide refunds if something goes wrong along the way.

Mercari Pros & Cons

Mercari Pros

• Low Fees: Mercari charges a flat fee of 10% per item sold, making it cheaper than most other online selling platforms such as eBay.
• Ease of Use: The app is simple and easy to navigate with all the necessary features for listing items conveniently from your phone or computer quickly.
• Variety of Categories & Items Available for Sale: In addition to clothes, shoes, accessories, and collectibles you can also list vehicles, furniture, and electronics on Mercari!

Mercari Cons

• Lack Of Buyer Protection Policies: Unlike eBay which offers protection against nonpayment or fraudulent activity by buyers, there are no buyer protection policies on Mercari.
• No Global Shipping: Sellers must ship products within their own country only unless they have access to international shipping solutions outside the platform.
• Fewer Payment Options: Payments made through PayPal or debit cards may take up to three days due to processing delays while cash payments typically settle faster.
• Lack of Quality Control: Mercari does not require sellers to authenticate their items before listing, so buyers must be vigilant about checking for quality and authenticity when purchasing goods from this platform.
• Customer Service Issues: Some users report that the customer service team is unresponsive or slow at responding to inquiries and issues with orders placed on the app.

eBay Pros & Cons

eBay Pros

• Wide selection: With millions of active buyers on the platform at any given time, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for with ease!
• Easy setup: Setting up an account doesn’t take long, meaning less hassle when getting started.
• Buyer protection: PayPal offers buyer protection policies so shoppers feel safe making purchases through eBay.

eBay Cons

• High fees: Depending on the item sold there can be high listing or final value fees associated with each sale made on eBay.
• Limited customer service options: Many complaints have arisen from customers who were unable to get help in resolving problems quickly due to limited customer service options available.
• Difficult returns policy: Although improvements have been made over recent years regarding returns policies, navigating these rules can still prove difficult.
• Geographical restrictions: Many buyers are only able to make purchases from within their own countries, limiting the potential customer base for international sellers.
• Long delivery times: Delivery times can vary and could be an issue if you’re selling products that need to arrive quickly or without delay.

eBay vs Mercari Reviews

When researching which platform to use, one of the most helpful pieces of information is reading reviews from other users.

For our comparison between eBay vs Mercari, we’ve taken a look at some real-life reviews for each site:

For eBay,

“eBay has been around forever and it’s still going strong! I have sold many items here with great success. It’s easy to set up your account and list items – plus the buyers are almost always honest.”

And when looking at Mercari,

“I find that fewer people are using this website than others like Craigslist or Amazon but so far my experience with buying things off here has been positive – no issues yet!”

Tips for Success on Mercari and eBay

If you’re looking to make a little extra money by selling your items online, Mercari and eBay can be great tools for success.

To get the most out of these platforms, here are some tips that will help ensure your listings stand out from the competition:

Take High-Quality Photos

Good photos are essential when it comes to getting potential buyers interested in your item(s).

Make sure all pictures show off every detail about what you’re selling, even imperfections!

Additionally, include multiple shots with different angles if possible so viewers get an accurate sense of size and condition.

Write Descriptive Listings

The more detailed information you provide about each listing, the better chance customers have at understanding exactly what they would receive should they choose to purchase something from you on either platform (Mercari or eBay).

Include product dimensions as well as specifics regarding color/style variants available where applicable too!

Be Responsive & Professional

One way to make a good impression is through prompt communication; respond quickly whenever someone asks questions via messaging services like mercari’s chat feature or eBay’s email system before purchasing anything, this builds trust which could result in repeat business later down the line:)

Remember to always remain polite and professional in all your interactions, even when dealing with difficult customers.

Use Shipping Supplies & Pack Carefully

Making sure items arrive safely is of utmost importance, buyers don’t want to receive damaged goods!

Be sure to use proper shipping materials such as bubble wrap or foam padding for fragile items, and tape the package securely closed before handing it off to be shipped.

Set Reasonable Prices

While you may not get every single penny out of each item that you sell on either platform (Mercari or eBay), setting reasonable prices will help ensure more sales over time; people are less likely to purchase something if they feel like they’re getting ripped off!

In addition, research other similar listings/products available so you can adjust the pricing accordingly when needed too:)

Final Verdict

The final verdict is that both Mercari and eBay can offer great opportunities to sellers looking to make a bit of money on the side.

Both sites have their pros and cons, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference when deciding which one you’d like to use.

If convenience is your top priority, then go with eBay, they offer listings in multiple countries and have an expansive selection of items available for sale.

However if saving money on fees while taking advantage of more buyer-friendly policies appeals most, consider giving Mercari a try instead!

No matter what platform you choose, good luck with your selling endeavors!

FAQs on Mercari vs eBay