eBay is one of the strongest platforms for resellers because buyers are already searching for specific products. If you have a branded item, a replacement part, a collectible, a tool, a small appliance, or something with a model number, eBay can put that item in front of the right buyer.

That reach is valuable, but it comes with fees.

What you actually pay on eBay

For many categories, eBay final value fees often land around 13% to 15%, though the exact percentage depends on the category. Some categories are lower. Some are higher.

The important thing to understand is that eBay's fee is generally based on the total sale amount, which can include the item price, shipping, tax, and other applicable charges. That means the number you keep is not the same as the number the buyer pays.

If you sell consistently, an eBay Store subscription may reduce some category fees, but it also adds a monthly cost. That usually makes sense only once you are moving steady volume.

When eBay makes sense

eBay is usually a good fit for items that are:

• Branded or searchable
• Lightweight enough to ship affordably
• Priced high enough to absorb fees
• Niche enough that local buyers may not be looking for them
• Easy to describe with a model number, UPC, brand, or part number

Examples include power tools, small appliances, electronics, video games and media, collectibles, replacement parts, brand-name clothing or shoes, and specialty household items.

If you pull a DeWalt drill, a discontinued appliance part, or a brand-name item from a pallet, eBay may be where the most motivated buyer is searching.

The honest trade-off

eBay gives you reach, but it takes a cut. On a $60 sale, you are not keeping $60. You still need to account for platform fees, shipping, packing material, possible promoted listing costs, and returns.

This matters even more with heavy items. A cast iron pan, bulky appliance, or oversized tool may look profitable until the shipping quote eats most of the margin.

Facebook Marketplace is one of the best platforms for local resale, especially when the item is too heavy, bulky, or awkward to ship. For local pickup transactions, Facebook Marketplace can be a strong option because you are not paying traditional platform fees and you are not dealing with shipping.

What you actually pay on Facebook Marketplace

For local, in-person sales, there is usually no platform fee. That is the main advantage.

You list the item, communicate with local buyers, arrange pickup, and collect payment. For larger items, that can be much better than trying to box, ship, and insure something that was never meant to travel across the country.

When Facebook Marketplace makes sense

Facebook Marketplace is usually best for:

• Furniture
• Appliances
• Patio sets
• Exercise equipment
• Large tools
• Outdoor gear
• Oversized electronics
• Bulk lots
• Items with strong local demand

These are common liquidation and open-box categories. If you source a sectional, grill, air conditioner, dining set, storage cabinet, or large appliance, local selling is often the smarter play.

You may not get the absolute highest possible price, but you can avoid fees, avoid shipping headaches, and move the item faster.

The honest trade-off

Facebook Marketplace has friction. You may deal with lowball offers, no-shows, slow responses, buyers asking if an item is available and then disappearing, and people trying to negotiate after arriving.

That is part of local selling. The best way to protect your time is to set expectations clearly. Include condition notes, pickup location, price firmness, payment preference, and whether you will hold the item.

Simple rules save time. Facebook Marketplace is not perfect, but for heavy or bulky inventory, it can protect your margin better than shipping.

Mercari is a simpler selling platform that sits somewhere between eBay and local resale. It is easier to list on than eBay, more shipping-focused than Facebook Marketplace, and useful for smaller everyday items that do not need a highly specialized buyer.

What you actually pay on Mercari

Mercari has shifted its fee model: sellers currently pay no selling fee (0%), while buyers pay a Buyer Protection fee on top of the item price. That means your take-home as a seller is cleaner, but buyers see a higher total at checkout than your listed price.

That matters for pricing strategy. If your item is listed close to what the same thing sells for on eBay or Amazon, the buyer's all-in cost on Mercari may push them elsewhere. Price with that gap in mind. Also note: Mercari has changed its fee structure more than once, so it is worth confirming the current terms before you start listing.

When Mercari makes sense

Mercari can work well for:

• Clothing
• Shoes
• Accessories
• Small household goods
• Beauty items
• Kitchen items
• Lower-to-mid priced open-box finds
• Everyday consumer products

If you pull a batch of brand-name clothing, small kitchen appliances, accessories, or household goods from a liquidation pallet, Mercari can be a reasonable place to list them. It is also a good starting point for newer sellers who want a simpler process before learning the details of eBay.

The honest trade-off

Mercari is simpler, but the buyer pool is usually not as deep as eBay. For niche items, collectibles, replacement parts, electronics, or anything buyers search for by exact model number, eBay may still give you better reach.

Mercari works best when the item has broad appeal and the listing process needs to be fast and simple.