eBay vs Mercari: Best Platform for Selling Penny Items
eBay and Mercari are both popular platforms for selling penny items, but they serve different markets and have different fee structures. Here’s how to choose.
Feature
eBay
Mercari
Seller Fees
13.25% + 2.35%
10% flat
Shipping Labels
Discounted USPS/FedEx
Prepaid labels available
Buyer Base Size
130M+ buyers
20M+ buyers
Listing Effort
Medium (detailed listings)
Low (quick photo listings)
Best Categories
Electronics, Collectibles, Tools
Clothing, Small Items, Toys
Average Sale Price
$15-$30
$8-$20
Offer System
Best Offer + Counter
Offers + Smart Pricing
Payment Speed
1-2 business days
3-5 business days
The Verdict
eBay is better for higher-value items, electronics, and anything with strong search demand. Mercari wins for quick, low-effort listings of clothing, small accessories, and items under $15. Use eBay for your bread-and-butter flips and Mercari for quick-turn items that aren’t worth the effort of a detailed eBay listing.
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Which platform has lower fees?
Mercari has a simpler, lower fee structure at 10% flat. eBay charges approximately 15.6% total (final value + payment processing). For a $15 item, you keep about $13.50 on Mercari and $12.66 on eBay.