Selling Used Items On Amazon Vs eBay: Which is Better?

Online marketplaces have made it easier to sell used items, but choosing from so many options can be confusing.

Amazon and eBay are the top players in the eCommerce, but when it comes to selling used items, it’s not clear which one is the better option.

Selling Used Items on Amazon vs eBay – Some Comparisons 

Market Share

A research done by Marketplace Pulse concluded that Amazon has captured more market share compared to its competitors worldwide. A higher market share confirms that Amazon has a wider reach and will help in advertising your products better. 

Revenue 

Considering the market share difference between both platforms, comparing revenue seems a bit unfair. In 2022, Amazon generated a staggering $514 billion in revenue, whereas eBay accumulated $10.41 billion, setting its competitor in a different league. 

Fees 

When considering selling used items on Amazon or eBay, it’s important to factor in the fees. Both platforms charge the sellers for every item you sell through their marketplace. 

eBay

If we talk about eBay, it allows you to list 250 items monthly for free. Nevertheless, if you somehow exceed the 250 limit, the platform will charge you $0.35 per listing. eBay also charges up to 12.9% fees on sales exceeding $7.5K. 

It’s worth noting that fees on eBay differ by the product type you’re selling. For instance, if you’re selling a guitar, you’ll only get charged 3.5% of the final value of your sale. 

Don’t miss: How To Sell on eBay Using My Battle Tested Methods

Amazon 

Amazon charges considerably higher fees than Amazon. Being a professional seller on Amazon, you must buy a monthly subscription of $39.99. Although there is no listing fee, the platform deducts its referral fee for every sale you make. 

In most cases, the referral fee is fixed at 15%, but the referral fee can also differ based on your product type. For instance, if you’re selling items like books or video games, Amazon charges you a closing fee of $1.80 for every item. 

If you choose to use the Amazon FBA services, there will be further fees, too! The Additional fees in the FBA service cover the handling, storage, shipping, and packaging of your products. 

Check out: How to sell on Amazon for Beginners (The Beginner’s Guide to Amazon)

Return Policy 

While both platforms have a reputation for being a reliable platform, its return policies are more user-friendly. Amazon’s shipping policy allows its customers to get a full return on their purchase, provided that they are unsatisfied with the delivery times or the quality of the purchase. 

On the other hand, eBay has a much more complicated policy for users. eBay’s “no Returns” box often leaves the buyers ticked, considering that they have no alternative other than keeping the product they’re unhappy with. 

While you might believe that the “No Returns” policy helps you boost sales, it’s contradictory. By setting the no-return policy, you send a message to the customers that your products aren’t trustworthy. And also, unless you don’t have stellar ratings, it’ll be very difficult for you to get any orders. 

Selling Models 

The biggest difference you’ll notice between both platforms is through their selling models. While Amazon offers huge discounts often, it usually adheres to a fixed-price system, irrespective of the product’s condition. 

Whereas eBay gives sellers a choice between the fixed-price model or the auction-style method. This unique approach allows the buyers to place bids on items for a specific amount of time. After the bid time runs out, the person offering the highest bid for your product gets it. 

Considering that you’re selling used items, it’s best to go with the auction-priced system. This pricing method allows you to get the best value for your items, especially if you’re unsure about the value of your product. 

Product Types 

Amazon 

While both platforms offer a long range of product types, Amazon’s size allows it to capitalize and offer a more diverse market. Whether it is electronics, books, or home goods, it’s highly unlikely not to find something on Amazon. 

Compared to eBay, Amazon boasts a much more formal product catalog. Its ideal design makes it easy for users to find products that match their interests. To further enhance the user experience, Amazon also shows trending products, giving sellers more exposure to sell their products. 

eBay 

Since its launch, eBay has been considered as the ideal platform, especially for buying and selling used products. While eBay features items like collector’s items, historical items, and other special buys, it has a much more relaxed vibe compared to Amazon. 

eBay is also very price competitive, which is why more people are drawn to it to shop for used goods. Considering the pricing, the used items listed on eBay are often a good deal. 

eBay further encourages sellers to create a separate listing for every product, whereas Amazon allows various sellers to sell the same product in a mutual listing. Having separate listing accounts for better exposure of your eBay account, allowing you to gain more customer reach. 

Selling Used Items on Amazon vs eBay – Pros and Cons 

Amazon Pros

1. High Conversion Rates 
2. Better Support and Customer Trust 
3. Better customer reach 

Amazon Cons 

1. Strong competition between competitors 
2. Lack of Patron loyalty 
3. Restricted brand ownership 

eBay Pros

1. Comparatively lower fees 
2. Better affiliate program 
3. Access to Various Seller Tools 
4. Lesser Competition than Amazon 

Ebay Cons 

1. Comparatively lesser market exposure 
2. You might have to offer free shopping 
3. No Delivery fulfillment 

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