Marketplaces Compared Fee by Fee
The right platform can add a third to your net on the same item. The wrong one can turn a decent flip into a wash. Match the item to the buyer, then check the fee.
A word on fees before anything else
Marketplace fees change — sometimes several times a year. Rather than quote figures that may be stale by the time you read this, we describe each platform's fee structure. Before you price anything, open the platform's official seller fee page and plug the current rate into our profit calculator. That two-minute check is the difference between guessing and knowing.
eBay
Buyers: search-driven, global, collector-heavy. People arrive looking for a specific brand, model or size.
Fee structure: a final value fee calculated as a percentage of the total sale (including shipping), plus a small per-order fee. Optional promoted listings add a further ad rate you choose.
Shipping: you set it — calculated, flat, or free with the cost built into price. Discounted labels available through the platform.
List here: menswear, outdoor gear, vintage, media, parts, tools, anything with precise keywords.
Poshmark
Buyers: fashion-focused, mostly women's apparel, shoes and accessories; responsive to offers and bundles.
Fee structure: historically a flat fee on lower-priced sales and a percentage commission above a set threshold. Check the current split, since low-ticket items feel flat fees the most.
Shipping: prepaid label system, typically paid by the buyer, with weight limits per label tier.
List here: mall and contemporary brands, handbags, shoes, items that benefit from "sharing" and offers.
Mercari
Buyers: general bargain shoppers across categories.
Fee structure: has shifted between seller-paid percentages and buyer-side fees in recent years. Confirm the current model before relying on it.
Shipping: built-in prepaid labels or ship-on-your-own options.
List here: household items, toys, games, small electronics, casual clothes — quick listings with fewer fields.
Depop
Buyers: younger, trend-aware, photo-first. Styling sells.
Fee structure: payment processing on each sale; US selling fees were reduced in recent years, so check what applies in your country.
Shipping: platform labels or your own.
List here: Y2K, streetwear, band tees, vintage denim, statement pieces with strong flat-lay or modeled photos.
Facebook Marketplace
Buyers: local, practical, price-sensitive, quick to message and slow to show up.
Fee structure: no selling fee on local pickup; shipped orders carry a percentage-based selling fee.
Shipping: optional. Local is where it shines.
List here: furniture, cast iron, Pyrex, lamps, bulky items. Meet in public, well-lit places; many police stations offer safe exchange spots.
Etsy (vintage)
Buyers: design-minded shoppers looking for character pieces.
Fee structure: a per-listing fee, a transaction fee and payment processing — three lines on your ledger, not one.
Rule: Etsy defines vintage as at least 20 years old. Newer thrifted goods don't belong there.
List here: mid-century decor, vintage textiles, older kitchenware and jewelry.
Crosslisting: more eyes, more admin
Listing one item on several platforms raises your odds of a sale, but it also raises the risk of selling the same item twice. If you crosslist, delist everywhere the moment one sale lands — and keep a simple inventory sheet with a SKU or bin number for every item so you can find it in seconds.
Choosing in practice
Ask three questions: Will buyers search for this by name? (eBay.) Is it a fashion piece that needs styling or offers? (Poshmark, Depop.) Is it heavy or awkward? (Facebook Marketplace, local.) Then run the numbers. A $30 item with a flat fee and buyer-paid shipping can net more than a $35 item where you pay the label.
Protect your account
Every major platform prohibits counterfeits and has processes, like eBay's VeRO program, that let rights holders remove listings. Repeated violations can end in suspension and withheld payouts. Accurate photos, honest condition notes and genuine goods are the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy. Next: Buy Price to Net Profit.