I still remember the chaos of mid-2024 when Mercari announced "Zero Selling Fees." I was sitting in my car after a thrift haul, frantically cross-listing everything I owned, thinking this was the golden age of reselling. It felt too good to be true.
And, of course, it was.
Fast forward to late 2025, and the landscape has shifted again. Mercari has reintroduced seller fees, eBay has tweaked its category rates, and the "Buyer Service Fee" experiment has left everyone confused about who is actually paying what. If you are trying to decide between Mercari vs eBay right now, you aren't just choosing a platform; you're choosing a business model.
I’ve sold thousands of dollars of inventory on both platforms this year—from vintage Pyrex to sealed video games—and the difference in my bottom line has been shocking. If you want to know where to list that pile of death-pile denim in the corner of your room, you need to look past the marketing emails and look at the real math.
The Great Fee Debate: "Split Costs" vs. "One Big Chunk"
The biggest confusion right now is how much does Mercari take vs eBay after the policy reversals of January 2025.
eBay: The "All-Inclusive" Bill
eBay’s fee structure is like a high-end resort: expensive, but you know what you’re getting.
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The Cost: For most categories, you pay roughly 13.25% of the total sale price (item + shipping + tax) plus a $0.30fixed fee.
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The Reality: If you sell a jacket for $50 + $10 shipping, eBay takes about $8.25. It stings, but it’s consistent.
Mercari: The "Nickel and Dime" Strategy
Mercari has tried to reinvent the wheel, and it’s messy. As of the January 2025 update, they brought back the 10% seller fee on sold items.
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The Twist: They also charge buyers a "Buyer Service Fee" (typically around 3.6%) and a payment processing fee.
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The Impact: This "double dipping" means the sticker price isn't the final price. A buyer sees your $50 item, adds it to the cart, and sees a total closer to $65 after taxes and fees. This causes massive cart abandonment.
My Honest Failure: I listed a rare Funko Pop on Mercari for $40. I got five likes in an hour. No buyers. I dropped it to $35. Still nothing. I finally messaged a "liker" who told me, "After the buyer fees and shipping, this $35 toy costs me $52. I can get it on eBay for $45 flat." I moved the item to eBay, priced it at $45 with free shipping, and it sold in 20 minutes. The selling on mercari vs ebay math requires you to think about the buyer's total cost, not just your payout.
Shipping Wars: QR Codes vs. Global Shipping
Shipping can make or break your margin. If you are asking how does Mercari work compared to eBay regarding logistics, think "Simple" vs. "Powerful."
Mercari: The "No Printer" Paradise
Mercari is built for people who own a smartphone but not a printer.
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QR Codes: You select the weight, they give you a QR code. You walk into UPS or USPS, they scan your phone, print the label, and you leave.
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The Downside: Mercari’s prepaid labels are often more expensive than commercial rates. A 2lb package on Mercari might cost $14 to ship via UPS. On eBay (using their discounted rates), that same package might be $9.
eBay: The Logistics Heavyweight
eBay expects you to be a bit more professional.
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eBay International Shipping (EIS): This is the killer feature. You ship the item to a hub in Illinois. eBay handles the customs, the international shipping, and the risk. If the item gets lost in France, eBay refunds the buyer, and you keep your money.
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Calculated Shipping: eBay can calculate the exact postage based on the buyer's zip code. Mercari relies on flat zones or "free shipping" guesses.
Here’s where it gets interesting... Pirate Ship integration. On eBay, I use Closo to sync my sales data, but for shipping, I often buy labels on Pirate Ship for heavy items to save money. Mercari makes "ship on your own" cumbersome because you lose some seller protections if you don't use their labels.
Audience & Vibe: Garage Sale vs. The Mall
You are selling the same item, but the customers are totally different.
The Mercari Shopper
Mercari feels like a digital yard sale. The audience is younger, looking for a deal, and loves to chat.
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Best For: Squishmallows, gym brands (Gymshark, Alphalete), anime merch, and "mall brand" clothing (American Eagle, Hollister).
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The "Lowball" Culture: Expect offers. Aggressive offers. If you list something for $20, expect a message asking "Lowest?" or an offer for $12.
The eBay Shopper
eBay is a global mall. The buyers are older, have more disposable income, and are often looking for specific replacements or collectibles.
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Best For: Vintage electronics, replacement parts (remote controls, car parts), rare collectibles, and high-end designer goods.
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The "Buy It Now" Culture: eBay buyers are less chatty. They see it, they want it, they buy it. I have sold items on eBay for $100 without a single message exchanged.
The Return Policy: 3 Days vs. 30 Days
This is the single biggest operational difference between websites like Mercari and eBay.
Mercari: The "3-Day Sprint"
Mercari has the best return policy for sellers, period.
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The Rule: Once the item is delivered, the buyer has 3 days to rate the transaction.
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The Closure: If they rate you (or 3 days pass), the transaction is closed. They cannot open a return. They cannot chargeback (easily). The money is yours forever.
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Why I Love It: I sold a designer handbag on Mercari. The buyer rated me 5 stars on Day 2. On Day 10, she messaged saying she "changed her mind." I politely told her the transaction was closed. On eBay, I would have been fighting a return case.
eBay: The "30-Day Looming Threat"
eBay is obsessed with the "Amazon experience."
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The Rule: Most sellers are pressured to offer 30-day returns. Even if you mark "No Returns," eBay’s Money Back Guarantee overrides you if the buyer claims "Item Not as Described."
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The Risk: A buyer can use your item for 29 days and open a return on Day 30. It’s rare, but it happens.
People always ask me...
"Is Mercari safer than eBay?"
Common question I see. For sellers, Mercari feels safer regarding returns because of the 3-day window. However, eBay has better customer support. If you get scammed on Mercari (e.g., a buyer returns a box of rocks), getting a human on the phone is nearly impossible. eBay has a dedicated "Seller Help" team that can actually step in.
"Which one is better for beginners?"
Mercari is infinitely easier to list on. You can list an item in 30 seconds from your phone. eBay’s listing form has 50 fields (Item Specifics) that you feel pressured to fill out. If you just want to clear a closet, start with Mercari. If you want to build a business, learn eBay.
"Can I list on both?"
People always ask me this. Yes! You should. I use Closo to automate cross-listing – saves me about 3 hours weekly – because the audiences rarely overlap. My vintage Pyrex sells on eBay; my Nike hoodies sell on Mercari. Why limit yourself to one storefront?
Conclusion: Picking Your Platform
So, Mercari vs eBay? The answer depends on what you value more: Speed or Volume.
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Choose Mercari if: You are selling trendy clothing, toys, or home decor under 5lbs. You want quick listings, final sales (no returns after 3 days), and a simple app experience.
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Choose eBay if: You are selling collectibles, electronics, or anything weird/rare. You want access to 134 million buyers and are willing to navigate a complex fee structure for higher sell-through rates.
My advice? Don't choose. Start on Mercari to get your feet wet. It’s low risk. Once you get the hang of shipping and customer service, graduate to eBay to chase the higher prices. The real power comes from being everywhere at once.
If you are ready to start listing, make sure you know how to package items for shipping to avoid damage claims. And if you are still undecided, check out our comparison of Poshmark vs. Depop to see if the social selling model is a better fit for your wardrobe.
FAQ Page Schema
Here's something everyone wants to know: Is it cheaper to sell on Mercari or eBay? Technically, Mercari's fees (10% + fees) are slightly lower than eBay's (13.25% + fees), but the gap has narrowed significantly in 2025. However, Mercari's "Buyer Service Fee" can deter customers, meaning you might have to lower your item price to make a sale, effectively canceling out the fee savings.
Common question I see: Does Mercari report to the IRS? Yes. Both eBay and Mercari are required by US federal law to send you a 1099-K tax form if your gross sales exceed the current reporting threshold (which has fluctuated between $600 and $5,000 in recent years—always check the current IRS guidelines for 2025). You must report this income.
People always ask me: Can I sell the same item on both platforms? Yes, this is called "cross-listing." It is a standard strategy for resellers. However, you must be vigilant. If the item sells on eBay, you must immediately delete the listing on Mercari. Using inventory management tools is highly recommended to avoid the nightmare of "double selling" a single item.
