Key Points
- Over 12 to 24 million ecommerce sites worldwide; Mercari and eBay among top choices.
- Mercari is suitable for small businesses with free listings and user-friendly platforms. While eBay is preferable for larger merchants due to an extensive customer base.
- Choosing between Mercari and eBay depends on business size and preferences.
Are you planning to start selling online in 2024 but struggling to decide on the best ecommerce platform?
Recent data shows there are 12 to 24 million ecommerce sites worldwide, and Mercari and eBay are among the top choices.
Choosing between Mercari and eBay is a crucial decision if you run an online business, but it’s important to note that these platforms have significant differences.
Your choice should be based on your specific business requirements.
This blog covers everything you need to know to make an informed decision between Mercari and eBay, helping you choose the right platform for your ecommerce business.
Without further ado, let’s dive straight into it.
Overview Of Mercari v/s eBay
Put simply, Mercari is an e-commerce platform that makes it easy for users to set up online stores and sell products to buyers within its marketplace.
Since its launch in Japan in July 2013, Mercari has become the country’s largest marketplace, processing over 10 billion in monthly transactions.
Its appeal lies in its straightforward user interface, making it a popular choice for both buyers and sellers.
On the other hand, eBay, initially known as AuctionWeb when it started in 1995, is a customer-to-customer transaction platform.
With over 2 billion daily transactions, eBay offers a versatile space where you can buy and sell almost anything.
Additionally, it provides opportunities for lucrative third-party selling.
Mercari v/s eBay: Similarities
- Mercari and eBay are popular eCommerce platforms that cater to both buyers and sellers.
- They provide a versatile space for users to list, sell, buy, and trade a wide variety of items.
- Both platforms offer a straightforward and free signup process for new users, making it easy to join their marketplaces.
Additionally, users can access these eCommerce platforms on their mobile devices, allowing for greater reach and interaction with a broader customer base.
In summary, Mercari and eBay offer user-friendly experiences and extensive opportunities for online commerce.
Mercari v/s eBay: Differences
| Mercari | eBay | |
|---|---|---|
Fees | Easier listing with fewer required fields. | More time-consuming listing and setup process. |
Account Set Up | Quick account setup for selling. | More steps to get the store up and running. |
Location Availability | Limited to the United States and Japan. | Available worldwide in over 100+ countries. |
Platform Fees | No listing fees; 10% of each sale goes to Mercari. | Up to 250 free listings; $0.35 per listing plus 12-14% selling fee depending on the item. |
Customer Base | Over 15 million users worldwide. | Over 182 million users worldwide. |
Customer Service | Help center on the website; no phone service. | Help center and phone support available. |
Returns | All sales final; eligible for returns if misrepresented. | Buyers can return items for any reason, but must check with the merchant first. |
Mercari v/s eBay: Pricing And Value
Before you choose between Mercari and eBay, it’s important to understand the fees associated with each platform.
In this section, we’ll break down the specific costs of setting up your online store to help you start selling quickly.
Mercari Pricing
Listing a product on Mercari’s website is free. Instead, Mercari charges a fee when your item is sold.
For each sale made by merchants on the platform, Mercari deducts a minimum of 10% of the item’s price.
This method will be more beneficial for smaller businesses, who can’t afford to pay the listing fee.
Additionally, Mercari imposes fees related to payment processing.
Sellers are charged a rate of 2.9% plus $0.30 for every payment received from the buyer.
This fee is calculated based on the sale price of the goods in a completed transaction and applies to all types of payments received from the buyer.
eBay Pricing
eBay charges sellers two main fees: an insertion or listing fee and a final value fee after an item is sold. Here’s a breakdown:-
1. Insertion Or Listing Fee:
This one-time fee occurs when you create a listing.
While it’s usually free for most items, some categories may have an insertion fee of up to $0.35 per listing.
Importantly, this fee is non-refundable, even if your item doesn’t sell.
2. Final Value Fee:
The final value fee on eBay is only applied upon the sale of an item, with the percentage varying by category and total sale amount (including item price, postage, taxes, and other fees).
Typically ranging from 12.9% to 15% for most categories, sellers without an eBay subscription plan receive up to 250 monthly zero-fee insertions..
Mercari v/s eBay: Shipping Fees
When comparing shipping fees on Mercari and eBay, both platforms have distinct fee structures.
Mercari Shipping Fees
- Mercari offers two shipping options: Mercari Prepaid and Mercari Pack & Ship.
- Charges a 10% commission on each item sold, along with a payment processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
eBay Shipping Fees
- eBay lacks automatic shipping labels; sellers must purchase their own post-sale.
- The final value fee on eBay is based on the item’s price, chosen listing format, category, additional upgrades, and seller conduct. It’s a percentage of the entire sale price with a flat rate of $0.30 per order.
- Fees vary based on item category and price, ranging from 3-15% of the sale price.
The Final Verdict
Choosing between Mercari and eBay largely depends on your business size.
For small business owners, Mercari is an excellent option with its free listings and user-friendly platform, suitable for both beginners and experienced online traders.
On the other hand, larger merchants may prefer eBay due to its extensive customer base, providing a higher chance of selling products quickly.
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FAQs
It’s your call. When listing an item, you decide if the buyer pays for shipping, with the label cost added at checkout, or if you cover it, incurring a label fee based on the package size and weight.
No, Mercari operates in both Japan and the US. The Mercari app has been downloaded 50 million times and ranks as the 17th most popular shopping app.
As of January 2023, women’s fashion takes the lead as the top category, offering everything from clothing to accessories. The appeal of women’s fashion on Mercari lies in its diverse options, extensive selection, and competitive prices.
