Mercari vs eBay

The Mercari marketplace is a customer-to-customer platform that promotes selling with ease. Mercari, which launched in Japan in July 2013, has evolved to become the country’s largest marketplace, with over $10 billion in monthly sales. Mercari is an e-commerce platform that allows users to easily construct an online store and sell their products to buyers on the marketplace. It demands basic steps, such as when users open an online store, list their products, and gain access to a pool of over 20 million active users!

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According to Mercari’s 2017 financial report, this represents an increase from 8.5 million users. As a result of the simple manner in which it communicates with users, most buyers and sellers are inclined toward buying and selling on the Mercari marketplace.

The marketplace launched in the United States in 2014 and now connects millions of users in the United States and Japan to buy and sell basically anything. Since then, the Mercari app has been downloaded over 50 million times in the United States, with numerous positive reviews for its ease of use and speedy sales.

What is eBay?

Similar to other marketplaces, eBay allows users to buy and sell items directly to one another. eBay, which began in 1995 as AuctionWeb, presently processes over 2 billion transactions per day. Furthermore, it is available in several countries, and nationwide shipping is possible. Clients in a certain area can shop for local goods on eBay by entering their zip code, and the seller will ship the things to them. Anyone interested in selling or buying on eBay can sign up for a free account and begin participating in the global marketplace right away. However, in order to create a seller account and begin selling on eBay, a seller must pay a listing fee. eBay is now the second-most popular online marketplace, connecting customers and vendors in more than 190 local markets. You may buy and sell basically everything on eBay, including profitable third-party sales.

Both Mercari and eBay are great sites to make purchases because they have so many things to choose from. Before making a purchase, though, you need to be aware of a few differences.

Selection

eBay has been operating much longer than Mercari and has a larger user base, which means a larger assortment of products to choose from. eBay also has a greater selection of categories, especially collectibles, antiques, and vintage products. Mercari, on the other hand, provides a more focused collection, with a concentration on fashion, cosmetics, and home items.

Pricing

Mercari and eBay both have reasonable pricing; however, it is important to evaluate prices before making a purchase. Although eBay uses a bidding mechanism, prices might change depending on the demand for a particular item. Mercari operates under a fixed pricing structure, whereby buyers and sellers are not allowed to haggle over the asking price.

Customer Safety

Both Mercari and eBay have buyer protection procedures in place to protect purchasers in the event of fraud or misconduct. Buyers can request a full return if the item they get is not as described under eBay’s Money Back Guarantee program. Mercari has a policy similar to this; however, it’s called the Buyer Protection Program, and it covers things that are not as advertised, are damaged, or are lost in transit. In summary, both Mercari and eBay provide an excellent purchasing experience, each with its own distinct characteristics.

Mercari vs. eBay Fees

The various e-commerce marketplaces do impose fees on sellers’ accounts, which vary depending on the platform. As a result, it’s critical to understand the various price points and choose the ideal platform for your company. Amazon and other popular platforms charge their merchants fulfillment, monthly storage, and referral fees. Mercari and eBay have selling fees as well, with several variables and price points. Let us investigate!

#1. Insertion Costs

To begin selling on Mercari or eBay, all you need is an active account. After that, you must maintain this account active by adding new listings or relisting them on a regular basis to guarantee that the items are updated on the marketplace. With over 350,000 listings per day, Mercari has risen to become Japan’s largest marketplace. As of 2021, eBay had around 160 million buyers globally and over 1.3 billion product listings on any one day. eBay provides its merchants with 250 zero-insertion-fee listings per month and charges $0.35 beyond that. It also takes extra time and effort to complete listing forms prior to selling. When you list an item on eBay, you must take images of it, write a descriptive description, and likewise specify the category and item price. To entice potential customers, you can also provide item dimensions, weight, and other specs in ads.

Mercari, on the other hand, does not demand any payments or extensive listing procedures. It is rather straightforward to advertise products on Mercari; simply take a few high-quality photos of what you’re selling, write a brief description, enter your selling price, and you’re ready to go!

#2. Processing Fees

Mercari does not charge its sellers to post their products on the marketplace; nonetheless, it does charge a 10% commission on each item sold. Equally, once a transaction is completed, Mercari charges its users a 2.9% payment processing fee on all completed transactions, plus an additional $0.50 based on the price of things sold. Payment service providers charge the processing fee to safely process and finish financial transactions, which went into effect on November 1, 2022. The normal payment processing agreement and contract are made directly between a seller and a service provider. Mercari further processes each transaction and charges a predetermined fee at the end.

Poshmark vs. Mercari vs. eBay

Poshmark is a marketplace with over 60 million members for those wishing to sell trendy clothing and accessories that are predominantly secondhand. Overall, eBay is particularly popular, with millions of users in roughly 200 markets worldwide. Mercari is a comparatively new marketplace that launched in 2013. It is ideal for collectors, bargain hunters, and people who simply enjoy shopping.

#1. The Poshmark Market

Poshmark is a marketplace for those wishing to sell trendy, basically used, clothing and accessories. With over 60 million users in North America and nearly 100 million goods for sale, it is an excellent way to clear out or update your closet by selling certain items. This platform is ideal for anyone wishing to sell mid- to high-end goods. Furthermore, as previously said, the app contains a social component. You can hold virtual “parties” to meet other members of the community and welcome new dealers. You can also engage with listings and visually design your profile, all with the objective of becoming a popular eCommerce store.

#2. The eBay Market

Since the early 2000s, eBay has become an eCommerce behemoth, with millions of users spanning nearly 200 regions. eBay was successful in developing a person-to-person online community in which sellers and purchasers could engage directly. Additionally, you can sell anything on the marketplace, from low-cost trinkets to high-end products. Items are organized into categories to make listings easier. Finally, if you have any problems, eBay’s customer service is second to none.

#3. The Mercari Marketplace

Mercari is a newcomer to the market, having launched in 2013. The platform is best suited for bargain hunters, collectors, and people who simply enjoy shopping. Although you can sell clothing on the platform, it is not the best place to offer designer things. Sporting items and infant clothes, on the other hand, have a sizable market. Mercari provides a straightforward, user-friendly listing method as well as a social chat component that allows promoters to give listings a boost in the form of discounts and commissions.

If you’re thinking about starting to list products on eCommerce platforms, deciding between eBay vs. Poshmark vs. Mercari can be difficult if you don’t do your homework. That is why it is essential to first understand your inventory and then research how to perfect your delivery plan.

Poshmark, for instance, is the place to shop for trendy clothing, but the eBay marketplace also allows you to barter your items.

Furthermore, while the fees on Poshmark are significant, products move quickly. Mercari listings, on the other hand, are easier to maintain and the costs are lower, yet products don’t move as rapidly on the Japanese site. Full-time sellers may wish to use eBay to profit from more users and the ease of selling multiple products at once across categories. Overall, eBay is a good solution for people hoping to make a huge profit by selling many items.

Mercari vs Etsy

Etsy is yet another American e-commerce company that specializes in vintage things, craft materials, and handmade items. If you want to locate a wide choice of the aforementioned, Etsy is the place to go. Clothing, home decor, furniture, toys, art, bags, jewelry, tools, and other products are also available. In 2005, on June 18th, Etsy was officially launched. Its roots and headquarters are in Brooklyn, New York, United States. Its current CEO is Josh Silverman. Jared Tarbell, Chris Maguire, Rob Kalin, and Haim Schoppik founded the company. It serves as the parent company for subsidiaries such as Etsy Ireland UC, Etsy France SAS, Etsy France SAS, and others.

#1. Fees for Selling on Mercari and Etsy

Mercari: Rather than deducting fees for using their services directly, Mercari is associated with a few financial service providers, who deduct the quantity of fees from your balance. Mercari will charge you a market rate of 2.9% plus $0.30 for each customer payment received. This tax is opposed to the item’s price. The policy charges the customer for any type of payment. When a direct deposit transaction of more than $10 happens with your bank account, no fee will be charged. Nevertheless, if the direct deposit amount is less than $10, the $2 fee will be waived.

Etsy: Etsy charges a transaction fee of only 6.5% of the price indicated at the time of listing. The season percentage will be applied even when shipping and present wrapping costs are calculated.

HCL costs $0.20 for each private listing and $0.20 for each additional amount to be covered. When a customer buys a designated product from your store, you charge them this fee. You should expect the costs to be subtracted from your sales total accordingly. A negative ending balance means you will have a payment due at the beginning of the next month.

#2. Shipping:

Mercari provides a prepaid label at a discount of 63% off retail carrier rates. They will deliver the delivery to your mailbox, and live tracking will be available on the app and website. Mercari gives you the option of selecting the shipping service provider for your package. Indeed, most of the time, it advises the prepaid label for experienced sellers with oversized products to sell. Furthermore, experienced UPS packing experts are required when the order is heavy and fragile.

Etsy: Etsy provides an automated shipping rate calculation option called “calculated shipping” for customers residing inside the geographic regions of Canada and the United States. This function enables the automatic calculation of shipping prices based on the services offered by USPS (United States Postal Service) and Canada Post. The determination of shipping prices is contingent upon four factors: the chosen shipping service provider during the checkout process, the overall weight of the package, the dimensions of the package, and the address of the recipient. Customers have the autonomy to determine their own postage delivery prices for the products they purchase. Additionally, in the event that the actual shipment rate is lower than the amount charged, a prompt refund of the excess payment will be provided.

#3. Advertising cost:

Mercari: Mercari does not have an advertising cost option. When you list the product you intend to sell, they will not ask for a commission. Conversely, if the item is sold, you must pay them a commission of 10% of the product’s selling price.

Etsy: Etsy charges a percentage ranging from 12 to 15 percent to showcase what you offer to others in the form of ads. Merchants who earned more than $10,000 on Etsy in the previous 12 months will be charged 12%, while the rest of the merchants will be charged 15%.

eBay vs. Amazon

The initial online auction platform, eBay, had high and difficult fees for sellers in the past. Even though they have simplified their pricing, which makes it easier to grasp, they still use an organized system that varies depending on the type of listing and the seller’s profile. The charge structure on Amazon can be difficult to understand and use. It would be useful to compare the two locations using sample calculations. Still, specific examples could be interpreted as selecting or shifting towards one company over another because of the stated varied pricing structures and closing costs, which vary by item category, item weight, and buyer payment choice.

Amazon offers certain advantages over eBay. To begin, it does a fantastic job of making the shopper believe they are dealing with Amazon themselves. Items from the seller are listed alongside those from Amazon. You can make purchases with just a single click, or “1-click buying.” Buyers can complete their payment without leaving the Amazon site, unlike eBay and PayPal. Sellers can even have their things stored and distributed straight from Amazon’s warehouses using Fulfillment by Amazon. A seller, on the other hand, may opt to use eBay to customize and personalize their listings. With the opportunity to include eye-catching full-color advertisements within a listing, it may be more appealing and likely to result in a sale than Amazon’s neutral listings.

Do People Buy on Mercari?

Mercari is a legitimate and successful online marketplace that is simple for both buyers and sellers to use. It’s ideal for sellers searching for a diverse market in which to sell almost anything at competitive seller fees.

Who Pays Shipping on Mercari?

It all depends. When you list an item on Mercari, you first choose who pays for the shipment. If you want the customer to pay for the shipping label, the fee will be added at checkout. Consequently, if you pay, you will be charged a label cost based on the size and weight of your shipment.

Are There Fake Buyers on Mercari?

A common Mercari scam targeting merchants involves purchasers requesting a refund due to supposed product damage and other difficulties. Customers are not always right, contrary to popular belief, and this is a common concern when starting a resale firm. Its meteoric rise may raise questions, but let’s be clear: Mercari is a legitimate platform. Surprisingly, as with any other online marketplace, it is not without difficulties, and Mercari scams do occur. Scammers are evidently everywhere, taking advantage of any platform that provides them with prospective victims.

How Much Money Can You Make on Mercari?

Given that the majority of these verifiable earnings were gathered over several months, it appears safe to assume that if you have a steady stream of extra stuff to sell, you can earn between $50 and $500 per month.

Is Mercari Free to Sell?

Mercari does not charge you to list goods for sale on its website. Instead, you are charged when the item is sold. Every sale a merchant makes on the website results in Mercari taking a minimum of 10% of the item price. Mercari also pays costs for payment processing.

What Is Mostly Sold on Mercari?

Women’s fashion is the most popular category on Mercari, with everything from apparel to accessories available. Women’s clothes are quite popular on Mercari due to their variety, large selection, and low prices.

How Long Does Mercari Take To Pay?

It can take up to 5 business days for funds to reflect on your bank statement following a processed transfer request. Remember that each Mercari account can only access one bank account. As a result, if you have a shared bank account, only one of the account holders can use it on Mercari.

What Items Sell Fastest on Mercari?

Electronics are the best-selling category on every platform that allows them to be sold. Small devices, in particular, sell quickly on Mercari! Make a list of your belongings, especially cameras, phones, iPads, and headphones. Don’t forget that electronics cases and accessories are also popular!

Are eBay Fees Higher Than Mercari?

Both eCommerce platforms are comparatively legal and trustworthy. How come Mercari is so inexpensive? Mercari charges only 10% of the item price and has no listing fees. This is why they are less expensive than eBay.

How Much Does eBay Take on a Sale?

The answer lies in the context. eBay charges between 5% and 15%, depending on the category of your items. According to eBay, the final value fee for the majority of categories is 13.25% of the sale price or less, plus $0.30 for each order. Visit eBay’s website to learn more about seller fees.

How Much Does eBay Take From $300?

This, however, varies by category, but it generally costs the merchant between 5% and 15%.

Who Pays for Shipping on eBay?

Sellers are charged two basic fees for each listing on eBay: a listing insertion fee and a final value fee. The final value fee is a percentage of the total amount of the sale, including delivery costs. It does not cover delivery costs. Depending on the method of fulfillment, the buyer will first cover this and then the seller.

How Do You Receive Payment on eBay?

It is easy to get payment for things sold on eBay. Your buyers can pay using a variety of options, and you’ll get paid straightaway into your bank account. All of your payouts can be tracked on the Payments tab, which opens in a new window or tab in Seller Hub, or Payments, which opens in a new window or tab in My eBay.

Conclusion

Choosing the most suitable marketplace enables sellers to enhance their business growth in a prompt and efficient manner. Although eBay provides a broader customer base that proves advantageous for numerous sellers, Mercari offers a listing method that is both cost-free and straightforward, accompanied by a 10% fee on sales. The size of an eCommerce firm can significantly influence the selection between Mercari and eBay. One can achieve financial sustainability by carefully choosing a suitable platform that aligns with the desired product or service, consequently enabling the development and growth of your enterprise.

MERCARI VS EBAY: What Are the Key Differences?

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