eBay vs Mercari 2023: Where To Sell Collectables?

It’s no secret that the collectables market has seen immense growth in recent years. Likewise, the reselling of collectables has grown a lot too and become a highly profitable niche. However, with so many platforms now available to resell items, choosing the right one can be difficult. In this article, we have picked two online platforms, both of which are popular choices when it comes to reselling collectables – eBay and Mercari. Here, we will compare each platform head-to-head with the aim being to give you a better idea of which platform you want to sell on.

eBay vs Mercari

eBay needs no real introduction. Founded in 1995, it is undeniably a veteran of the online marketplace world and usually the go-to. The platform offers a global outreach and a broad array of categories, which include everything from electronics to fashion and, of course, collectables.

On the other hand, Mercari is a relative newcomer only launched in 2013 in Japan and later in the U.S. and U.K. However, it has been making waves as an alternative to eBay for some time now, especially among the collectables community. There are a variety of potential reasons for this, each of which we will now look at in comparison to eBay.

User Interface and Ease of Use

For many, the usability of a platform is a crucial factor. In this regard, Mercari takes the lead. Its modern, sleek, and streamlined interface is simple to navigate, making listing items really easy. The listing process involves filling out a form and uploading photos – a process that even the least tech-savvy user can get their head around.

eBay, in comparison, has a more complex listing process, likely due to the wider array of selling options and listing intricacies it offers. Despite this, you could argue that once you understand eBay’s interface, you get a more comprehensive selling experience.

Winner: Without a doubt, Mercari takes the win for us when it comes to user interface and ease of use.

Audience and Reach

eBay is a global platform with 182 million users worldwide, which certainly gives it an edge when it comes to audience size. This arguably means that if you have a top collectable, eBay gives you the best chance of finding a buyer who is willing to pay a premium price. When it comes to demographics such as age, just about everyone knows or uses eBay.

On the flip side, Mercari operates only in the U.S., U.K., and Japan as of now. Despite its more limited geographical reach, Mercari boasts an enthusiastic community of collectors, with the likes of comics being among the platform’s most popular items. Mercari also appeals more to a younger, tech-savvy demographic in line with this community of collectors and the majority of users are between 18-34 years old.

Winner: Deciding a winner for this category is tough. On the one hand, eBay’s huge reach is hard to ignore. On the other hand, the fact that Mercari has become a hub somewhat specific to collectables makes it hard to ignore. For now, though, we believe eBay still boasts an edge over Mercari, although that could change in the future if the latter expands its operations to more countries.

Seller Fees

Next up is a highly important criterion – selling fees. Mercari offers an extremely simple system, charging a flat 10% selling fee, which is deducted once your item sells. This fee applies no matter the category the item you’re selling is in. This straightforward approach is certainly appealing, especially when compared to eBay’s slightly more convoluted fee structure.

eBay’s final value fees range from 2% to 12.35% depending on the item’s category, with most collectables falling under a 12.35% fee. You also may have to pay to even list on eBay, should you go over the certain amount of free listings you are afforded. There are also the likes of insertion fees, although eBay allows 200 insertion fee-free listings per month.

Winner: As you can see, eBay’s over-convoluted fee system can be a headache, especially if you are new to selling online. In contrast, Mercari offers fees that are not only easy to understand but also cheaper when it comes to collectables. As such, Mercari takes the cake on this one.

The Verdict: eBay or Mercari?

Deciding between eBay and Mercari boils down to what you’re selling and what you prioritize as a seller. If you’re reselling high-value, rare collectables and you want a broad international reach, eBay may be your best bet. Its vast user base can help ensure your item is seen by the right buyer willing to pay top dollar.

Conversely, if you’re selling lower-value collectables, or are new to the reselling game and value simplicity and ease of use, Mercari is a strong contender. Its streamlined interface and straightforward fee structure make it an inviting platform for newcomers.

At the end of the day, both platforms have their strengths and cater to different seller needs. Thus, why not try listing your items on both and see where you personally find the most success? After all, flexibility and adaptability are key when reselling. If you want to stay up to date with all the latest and most profitable collectable releases and much more including sneakers, NFTs, tickets, electronics and more then you can sign up to Juiced here. Our app not only helps you stay informed on the best products but also contains numerous tools to help your reselling journey such as a cross-listing tool so you can list on multiple platforms at once and an auto-checkout tool.