Last Updated on July 29, 2023 by lukesguide
Have you been thinking about setting up a Mercari or eBay store but are not sure which one to start with? With so many opinions on which is best in the battle of Mercari vs eBay, it is easy to get bogged down in the details.
To help you with your decision, we’re going to break everything down for you in this article. We’ll cover everything from the pros and cons, pricing, key features, user experience, and customer support.
By the time you’re done, you should have a good idea of which side you’re on in the Mercari vs eBay debate.
Let’s get started!
Mercari vs eBay Pros and Cons
Let’s look at the pros and cons of eBay and Mercari.
Mercari Pros
- Simplicity – Mercari offers a user-friendly interface, making it easy to list and sell items.
- Flat 10% Selling Fee – A lower selling fee compared to eBay can be more attractive to some sellers.
- Less Competition – Smaller seller pool might mean less competition for certain items.
- Prepaid Shipping – Mercari provides prepaid shipping labels for sellers, streamlining the shipping process.
Mercari Cons
- Limited Product Categories – Mercari focuses primarily on fashion, beauty, and household items, restricting options for some sellers.
- Smaller User Base – The smaller audience might result in fewer potential buyers for your items.
- Fixed Price Listings – The absence of auctions can lead to potentially lower prices for rare or in-demand items.
- Lower Buyer Trust – Some buyers may be less familiar with Mercari, leading to concerns about the credibility of the platform.
eBay Pros
- Larger User Base – eBay has a massive global audience, increasing the potential for more buyers.
- Diverse Product Categories – You can sell a wide range of items, from collectibles to electronics, catering to various interests.
- Auction Format – Allows bidding, potentially leading to higher prices for sought-after items.
- Established Reputation – eBay’s longstanding presence can provide a sense of trust to buyers.
eBay Cons
- Higher Fees – eBay charges higher seller fees, including listing and final value fees.
- Complex Policies – Dealing with eBay’s extensive rules and regulations can be cumbersome.
- Strong Competition – The vast marketplace means facing stiff competition from other sellers.
About Mercari
Mercari was founded in Japan in July 2013 by Shintaro Yamada. Initially, it started as a peer-to-peer mobile marketplace, allowing people to buy and sell secondhand items using their smartphones. The platform gained significant popularity in Japan, which led to its expansion into the United States in 2014. Mercari’s success continued to grow, and it further expanded its services to other countries, including the United Kingdom and Germany.
About eBay
eBay is a renowned online marketplace that presents a compelling opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to establish their business. Founded in September 1995 by Pierre Omidyar in the United States, eBay has grown into a global e-commerce giant. It offers entrepreneurs a vast user base with millions of active buyers and sellers from around the world, providing an extensive reach for their products. Sellers on eBay can benefit from its diverse product categories, spanning from electronics to collectibles, catering to a broad spectrum of interests.
Comparison Of Mercari vs eBay
When making a comparison of Mecari vs eBay, it is worthwhile looking at the key characteristics of each platform and seeing how they stack up against each other.
Similarities
Both Mercari and eBay are online marketplaces that allow users to buy and sell a wide range of products.
They provide a platform for entrepreneurs to start their business and reach a global audience.
Both platforms offer seller ratings and feedback to establish trust between buyers and sellers.
Sellers on both platforms can set their product prices and utilise various listing formats.
Differences
Mercari has a simpler and more streamlined interface compared to eBay, making it easier for beginners to list and manage their items.
eBay has a larger user base and offers a more extensive product selection due to its diverse categories.
Mercari primarily focuses on fashion, beauty, and household items, while eBay allows selling in a broader range of categories.
eBay utilizes an auction format in addition to fixed-price listings, providing potential for higher bidding on sought-after items, which Mercari lacks.
eBay charges higher seller fees, including listing and final value fees, whereas Mercari applies a flat 10% selling fee.
Accuracy
Both platforms strive to maintain accurate product listings and enforce policies to combat fraudulent activity.
eBay’s larger user base may increase the likelihood of encountering inaccurate listings compared to Mercari’s smaller user pool.
Ease of Use
Mercari is generally considered more user-friendly, especially for sellers new to e-commerce, due to its simple interface and streamlined listing process.
eBay’s more complex policies and processes might require a steeper learning curve for inexperienced sellers.
Customer Support
Both platforms provide customer support, but eBay’s larger scale might result in longer response times compared to Mercari.
Pricing
Mercari’s flat 10% selling fee can be advantageous for sellers looking for a straightforward fee structure.
eBay’s higher fees, including listing and final value fees, could impact sellers’ profit margins, especially for high-priced items.
Is Mercari As Safe As eBay?
Both Mercari and eBay are reputable online marketplaces with established safety measures.
However, their safety can vary depending on individual transactions and users.
Both platforms offer buyer and seller protections, but it’s essential to exercise caution, follow the platform’s guidelines, and use secure payment methods. Always check user reviews and ratings before making a purchase or selling items to ensure a safe experience on either platform.
Do More People Use Mercari or eBay?
eBay has a larger user base and is more established than Mercari. eBay, being one of the earliest online marketplaces founded in 1995, has catered to a broader international audience and offers a wide variety of products.
In contrast, Mercari, established in 2013, has gained popularity but may not have attained the same level of scale as eBay. However, the landscape may have evolved, and current statistics would provide the most accurate information on their respective user bases.
Why Is Mercari Cheap?
Mercari may appear to be cheaper than other online marketplaces like eBay due to its lower commission rate.
However, consideration should also be given as to whether you, as a seller, can achieve a higher sale price on another marketplace, like eBay. Mercari’s smaller user base may mean settling for a lower price since there are fewer buyers.
Mercari vs eBay: Which Is Better?
From my perspective, eBay is the better overall platform. While there are some benefits to using Mercari, such as lower fees, the broader user base of eBay tends to lead to a higher sale price.
I also find eBay’s user interface and seller tools much more user-friendly.
Have you sold on Mercari? Or do you sell on eBay? Let us know in the comments which platform you think is best!