# eBay vs Facebook Marketplace vs Mercari for reselling

Source: https://rushilo.com/blog/ebay-vs-facebook-marketplace-vs-mercari
By om.assets, Rushilo. Updated 2026-10-31.

> Use Facebook Marketplace for bulky or local items, because local pickup sales carry no selling fee. Use eBay for collectibles, parts and anything a national buyer will search for, accepting a 13.6% final value fee plus $0.40 per order. Use Mercari for small shippable items when you want a flat 10% fee and a simple listing flow. Most working resellers list on more than one.

You found something underpriced, you know roughly what it is worth, and now you have three apps open. eBay feels like the serious option, Facebook Marketplace feels like the fast one, and Mercari keeps showing up as the "lower fee" one. Pick wrong and you either give away 15% in fees you did not need to pay, or you sit on an item for weeks because the right buyer never saw it.

The short answer: **the platform should follow the item, not the other way round.** Bulky and local goes to Facebook Marketplace. Searched for, collectible or niche goes to eBay. Small, light and mainstream goes to Mercari, often alongside eBay. The rest of this page shows the fees on one sale, who buys on each app, the scams each one invites, and a simple rule for choosing.

Three terms first. A **final value fee** is the percentage a platform keeps when an item sells. **Local pickup** means the buyer collects and pays in person, with no shipping. **Cross listing** means listing the same item on several apps at once and removing it everywhere when it sells.

## Which is better for reselling: eBay, Facebook Marketplace or Mercari?

None wins everywhere. Each platform is best at one job, and the table below is the quick version as of October 2026.

| | eBay | Facebook Marketplace | Mercari |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Collectibles, parts, niche and branded items | Furniture, appliances, bulky and local items | Small, light, mainstream items |
| Seller fee | 13.6% of total incl. shipping, plus $0.30 or $0.40 per order | $0 local pickup; about 10% on shipped orders | 10% of item plus buyer paid shipping |
| Buyers | National and international, search driven | Local, browse driven, price sensitive | National, app based, casual |
| Speed | Steady, depends on search demand | Often fastest for local items | Moderate |
| Main risk | Returns and "not as described" claims | Meetups, no shows, lowballers | Dispute decisions you cannot appeal |
| Listing effort | Highest (item specifics, shipping rules) | Lowest | Low |

eBay's fees come from its own [selling fees page](https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/fees-credits-invoices/selling-fees?id=4822). Mercari and Facebook do not publish fee pages that loaded for us, so those figures are as reported by fee trackers in 2026 (sources at the end). Fees change, so check the fee screen in each app before you price.

## How much does each platform take on a $100 sale?

On a $100 item where the buyer pays $10 shipping, eBay keeps about $15.36, Mercari about $11, and Facebook Marketplace nothing if it sells as local pickup. Here is the arithmetic. **This is an illustrative example**, not a quote, and it assumes a $10 label.

| Example: $100 item, $10 shipping | eBay | Mercari | FB Marketplace (shipped) | FB Marketplace (local) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buyer pays | $110 | $110 | $110 | $100 cash or in app |
| Platform fee | 13.6% x $110 = $14.96, plus $0.40 = $15.36 | 10% x $110 = $11.00 | about 10%, so $10 to $11 | $0 |
| Postage you pay | $10 | $10 | $10 | $0 |
| You keep | about $84.64 | about $89.00 | about $89 to $90 | $100 |

The key detail most comparisons miss: **both eBay and Mercari charge their percentage on shipping too.** eBay's page says the total sale amount "includes the item price, any handling charges, any shipping costs collected from the buyer." The Jupid fee calculator, checked against Mercari's help page in July 2026, says Mercari's 10% applies to item plus buyer paid shipping. So padding shipping to hide your price does not dodge the fee.

Other fee details worth knowing:

- **eBay** gives 250 free listings a month, then $0.35 each. The per order fee is $0.30 on orders of $10 or less and $0.40 above. Athletic shoes selling for $150 or more drop to 8% with no per order fee.
- **Mercari** dropped its separate 2.9% plus $0.50 processing fee on January 6, 2025, according to Jupid. Cashing out instantly to a debit card costs a flat fee (Jupid reports $3; Voolist reports $2), while standard direct deposit is free.
- **Facebook Marketplace** charges nothing on local sales. LitCommerce reported in May 2026 that shipped orders pay 10% with a minimum fee, up from 5% in April 2024, though its own FAQ still shows the old 5%. Treat the shipped rate as roughly 10% and confirm in your Commerce Manager.

Some competitor pages still show eBay at 13.25%. That rate is out of date for most categories as of October 2026.

## Who buys on each platform, and why does it change your price?

eBay buyers search for a specific thing, Facebook buyers browse what is nearby, and Mercari buyers sit in between. That changes what each audience will pay.

**eBay** is where someone types an exact part number, a game title or a card set. Zetlis cites eBay's reach at about 136 million buyers. For rare or niche items, that pool is the whole point: a local buyer might value a vintage controller at $20 while a collector three states away pays $60. This is why many flippers source on Marketplace and sell on eBay.

**Facebook Marketplace** buyers are local and price aware. One r/Ebay seller summed it up: "Nothing beats Facebook marketplace, in terms of selling. It's the fastest imo." Another assumed it "works good for local stuff like furniture. Something you couldn't reasonably ship." That matches what r/Flipping operators report: one buyer of a truckload of Costco refrigerators sold all 28 units on Marketplace in about 8 weeks for $23,700, cash only, and noted he "didn't have any fees."

**Mercari** buyers are casual shoppers on an app, often looking for a deal on clothes, toys, games and small electronics. Offers and price drops are normal, and buyers see the item price plus fees and shipping at checkout, which can make your listing look pricier than it is.

> **Tip:** Before you choose, search the item's sold listings on eBay. If it sells there for well over what local listings ask, ship it. If eBay sold prices are close to local prices, sell local and keep the fee.

## How does shipping work on each one?

eBay and Mercari are built around shipping; Facebook Marketplace is built around pickup, with shipping as an add on.

- **eBay** lets you charge shipping or offer it free, print discounted labels, and use eBay International Shipping, where eBay handles customs and international claims. A seller who moved from Mercari to eBay was told in r/eBaySellerAdvice that "all international shipments sent to eBay for forwarding are handled by eBay."
- **Mercari** sells prepaid labels by weight and lets you choose who pays. Free shipping usually sells faster, but the label comes out of your payout.
- **Facebook Marketplace** shipping works for small items, but most of its strength is local. For anything heavy, the postage alone kills the deal on eBay or Mercari, which is exactly where Marketplace wins.

### A quick weight rule

1. Under about 1 pound and under $30: Mercari or eBay, whichever has more sold comps.
2. 1 to 10 pounds and over $50: eBay first, Mercari as a cross listing.
3. Over about 20 pounds or awkward shapes: Facebook Marketplace local only.

## Which platform has the most scams?

Facebook Marketplace carries the most personal risk, Mercari the most dispute risk, and eBay the most return risk.

**Facebook Marketplace:** the risks are in person. In one r/Flipping thread, a seller who sold a tested monitor was later contacted by the same buyer through a fake profile, boxed in at the meetup and pulled from his car over a refund demand. The top replies were the same advice operators repeat: meet at a police station "safe exchange" spot with cameras. Lowballing is the everyday version: another r/Flipping seller agreed on $80, watched a buyer test a monitor for an hour, then got offered $60 cash because that was "all the cash he brought."

**Mercari:** no meetups, but Mercari decides disputes. In an r/Mercari thread, a buyer who filmed the unboxing of fake signed CDs still lost the case, and "Mercari said their decision is final." Sellers report the reverse too, with buyers returning something different. Record yourself packing anything over about $50.

**eBay:** eBay's buyer protections are strong, which means "not as described" claims and returns can land on the seller. Clear photos of flaws and accurate item specifics are your defence.

> **Watch out:** On Facebook, never accept payment links, codes sent to your phone, or "my cousin will pick up and pay by check." Cash at a safe exchange point or in app checkout only.

## Which platform should you use for what you sell?

Match the item to the platform using three questions: can it ship cheaply, will a local buyer pay close to full value, and does a national buyer search for it by name?

| Item | First choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Patio sets, couches, dressers | Facebook Marketplace | Too big to ship; no fee on local sales |
| Appliances, TVs, exercise gear | Facebook Marketplace | Heavy; buyers want to see it working |
| Video games, retro consoles | eBay, cross list to Mercari | Collectors search by title |
| Car parts, tools, tech parts | eBay | Buyers search part numbers nationwide |
| Name brand clothing and shoes | Mercari and eBay | Small to ship; sneakers $150+ get eBay's 8% rate |
| Toys, home decor under $30 | Mercari or local | eBay's per order fee bites on cheap items |
| Trading cards, coins, watches | eBay | Biggest pool of serious buyers |

If you buy at thrift stores, our list of the [best things to resell from thrift stores](/blog/best-things-resell-thrift-stores) maps well onto this table, and the [Reselling pack](/reselling) has the full pricing checklist for deciding where each find goes.

## How do you cross list without selling an item twice?

Cross listing works if you remove the item everywhere within minutes of a sale. Here is a simple routine for beginners.

1. List on your first choice platform from the table above with your best photos and full measurements.
2. Copy the same photos and description to one second platform. Two is plenty to start.
3. Price slightly higher on eBay to cover its larger fee, and keep Facebook at the "cash today" price.
4. When anything sells, delist it on the other app before you do anything else, even packing.
5. Every Sunday, check views: anything with no saves after two weeks gets a price drop or moves to the other app.

A free or paid cross listing tool can automate step 4 once you have dozens of items live. Until then, a notes file with "listed on: eBay, Mercari" next to each item works.

## What mistakes do new resellers make choosing a platform?

The common mistakes are fee blindness, shipping heavy things, and treating one app as the only market.

- **Pricing without the fee.** On eBay, $100 is closer to $85 in your pocket after fees and postage in the example above.
- **Listing furniture for shipping.** Postage often costs more than the item. Sell it local.
- **Selling cheap items on eBay.** On a $6 sale, the $0.30 per order fee plus 13.6% takes about $1.12 before postage (example arithmetic). Bundle cheap items into lots.
- **Meeting buyers at home.** Use public, camera covered meetup spots.
- **Shipping without proof.** Photograph the item, the label and the sealed box. Mercari and eBay disputes are decided on evidence.
- **Ignoring sold comps.** Asking prices lie. Check sold listings first.

If you are still building your first stock, [how to start reselling with no money](/blog/start-reselling-with-no-money) walks through selling what you already own on these same apps before you spend anything.

## Where to go from here

1. Pick five things you already own: one bulky, two small, two niche.
2. List the bulky one on Facebook Marketplace, the small ones on Mercari, and the niche ones on eBay.
3. Record what each sold for, the fee, and how long it took.
4. After two weeks, put most of your effort where your net per hour was highest.
5. Add a second platform for your best category and start cross listing.

Results vary by area, category and how well you source, so let your own numbers decide. The [Reselling pack](/reselling) adds the full lessons, sourcing and pricing checklists, listing templates and scam rules for $19, and all 16 Money Printer packs are $39.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which platform is best for reselling?

It depends on the item. Facebook Marketplace is best for furniture, appliances and anything too big to ship, because local pickup sales have no selling fee. eBay is best for collectibles, parts and niche items that need a national audience. Mercari suits small, light items you want to ship with a flat 10% fee. Most resellers use at least two of them.

### Is it better to sell on eBay or Mercari?

Mercari usually keeps more money per sale: a flat 10% of the item price plus buyer paid shipping, against eBay's 13.6% plus $0.40 per order as of October 2026. eBay usually sells faster and for higher prices on collectibles and parts, because far more buyers search there. Try both with the same item and compare what actually sells.

### How much does Mercari take from a $100 sale?

Mercari takes $10 from a $100 item with free shipping, because its US selling fee is 10% and the separate processing fee was dropped on January 6, 2025. If the buyer also pays $10 shipping, the fee is $11, since it applies to item plus shipping. Instant Pay cash outs add a flat fee, reported as $3.

### Is it more profitable to sell on eBay or Facebook Marketplace?

Facebook Marketplace is more profitable per sale for local pickup items, because you pay no selling fee and no postage. eBay is more profitable for items that local buyers will not pay full price for, like rare parts, vintage games and collectibles, because the bigger audience often pushes the price up by more than eBay's roughly 14% in fees.

### Can you list the same item on eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Mercari at once?

Yes, and many resellers do. This is called cross listing. The risk is selling the same item twice, so delist from the other apps the moment one sells, or use a cross listing tool that does it for you. Start by cross listing only your higher value items so the extra admin pays off.

### Is Mercari safe for sellers?

Mercari is mostly safe, because buyers pay through the app and you ship with tracking, so there are no cash meetups. The weak point is disputes: Mercari decides returns and authenticity cases, and r/Mercari threads show sellers and buyers both losing cases they felt they proved. Photograph and video every item and its packing before you ship.

### What is the best way to learn reselling?

The best way to learn reselling is the Rushilo Reselling pack, because it gives you the step by step lessons, sourcing and pricing checklists and listing templates for $19, built from what working flippers reported. Pair it with selling a few things you already own on each platform, so you learn fees and buyers with no money at risk.

## Sources

- [eBay: Selling fees (most categories)](https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/fees-credits-invoices/selling-fees?id=4822)
- [Jupid: Mercari fee calculator](https://jupid.com/mercari-fee-calculator)
- [Voolist: Mercari fees 2026](https://www.voolist.com/blog/mercari-fees-2026)
- [LitCommerce: Facebook Marketplace fees](https://litcommerce.com/blog/facebook-marketplace-fees/)
- [Zetlis: Facebook Marketplace vs eBay vs Mercari](https://www.zetlis.com/blog/facebook-marketplace-vs-ebay-vs-mercari-2026)
- [Listing Monster: Best US reselling platforms 2026](https://listingmonster.ai/blog/best-us-reselling-platforms-2026)
- [r/Ebay: Facebook Marketplace vs eBay](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ebay/comments/jo67b9/facebook_marketplace_vs_ebay/)
- [r/Flipping: Someone tried to rob me today from FB Marketplace](https://www.reddit.com/r/Flipping/comments/1vxm5tb/someone_tried_to_rob_me_today_from_fb_marketplace/)
- [r/Mercari: Scammed by seller](https://www.reddit.com/r/Mercari/comments/1vairwy/scammed_by_seller/)
- [r/eBaySellerAdvice: Did I get this right?](https://www.reddit.com/r/eBaySellerAdvice/comments/1bkh1ud/did_i_get_this_right/)
- [r/Flipping: Truckload of refrigerators from B-Stock](https://www.reddit.com/r/Flipping/comments/1x13zs9/my_experience_buying_a_truckload_of_refrigerators/)