Selling on eBay vs. Amazon: Which Platform Is Better for You?

Selling on eBay vs selling on Amazon. Which platform is a better choice? Learn about fees, competition, fulfilment and selling models to decide.

Selling on eBay vs. Amazon

 

If you want to start an online business, eBay and Amazon are two of the biggest platforms for selling products. Each offers unique benefits, but choosing the right one depends on your business goals, budget, and product type.

This guide compares eBay and Amazon based on key factors such as fees, competition, selling models, fulfilment, and buyer behaviour to help you decide which platform is best for you.

 

1. eBay vs. Amazon: A Quick Overview

eBay – The Auction & Fixed-Price Marketplace

• Founded in 1995, and operates as an auction-based and fixed-price selling platform.
• Ideal for used, collectable, and niche products.
• Allows seller-to-buyer direct transactions with fewer platform restrictions.

Amazon – The eCommerce Giant

• Founded in 1994, Amazon is the world’s largest online marketplace.
• Focuses on new and brand-name products with a strong emphasis on customer experience.
• It uses FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) for fast shipping and customer service.

Bottom Line: eBay is more flexible and suitable for niche, used, or unique items, while Amazon is better for scaling an online business with high-demand products.

 

2. Selling Fees: Which Platform Costs More?

eBay Fees

• Insertion Fee: Free for the first 250 monthly listings; £0.30 per additional listing.
• Final Value Fee: 12.8% – 15% per sale, depending on the category.
• Optional Store Subscription: £19.99/month for basic, £59.99/month for featured, and £269.99/month for anchor stores.
• PayPal Fees (if applicable): 2.9% + £0.30 per transaction.

Amazon Fees

• Individual Seller Plan: £0.75 per item sold.
• Professional Seller Plan: £25/month.
• Referral Fee: 8% – 15% of the sale price (varies by category).
• FBA Fees: Additional costs for storage, fulfilment, and returns.

Winner: eBay is generally cheaper for casual sellers, while Amazon has higher fees but more automation and customer reach.

 

 

3. Product Categories: What Sells Best?

Best Products to Sell on eBay:

✅ Used, vintage, and collectable items (antiques, rare coins, classic sneakers).
✅ Electronics & refurbished goods (smartphones, gaming consoles).
✅ Car parts, accessories, and DIY tools.
✅ Unique, handmade, or custom products.

Best Products to Sell on Amazon:

✅ Brand-new, high-demand items (kitchen gadgets, fitness gear, fashion).
✅ Private label products (self-branded items manufactured in bulk).
✅ Books, toys, and beauty products.
✅ Bulk and wholesale stock for scaling businesses.

Winner: Amazon dominates with mass-market retail products, while eBay is better for specialised, used, and niche items.

 

4. Competition & Buyer Behaviour

eBay Buyer Behaviour:

• More price-sensitive buyers looking for bargains.
• Higher demand for used, refurbished, and collectable products.
• Buyers expect individual seller communication and offers.

Amazon Buyer Behaviour:

• Customers prefer new, fast-shipping products.
• Brand and trust-focused buyers who prioritise convenience.
• Most sales come from Buy Box winners (Amazon favours FBA sellers).

Winner: Amazon has higher customer trust, but eBay buyers are often more engaged and willing to negotiate.

 

5. Shipping & Fulfilment: FBM vs. FBA vs. eBay’s Managed Delivery

Selling on eBay (Fulfilled by Merchant - FBM)

✅ You control your own packaging and shipping methods.
✅ No mandatory shipping requirements.
✅ Lower fulfilment costs than Amazon FBA.
❌ Slower delivery times unless you use eBay’s Managed Delivery Service.

Selling on Amazon (Fulfilled by Amazon - FBA)

✅ Amazon handles storage, packing, shipping, and returns.
✅ FBA items qualify for Prime two-day shipping, increasing sales.
✅ Higher Buy Box win rate due to Amazon’s preference for FBA sellers.
❌ FBA fees can be expensive, especially for bulky or slow-moving items.

Winner: Amazon FBA is ideal for scaling a business, while eBay allows more control over shipping and fulfilment.

 

 

6. Seller Support & Restrictions

eBay Seller Support

• More seller-friendly policies (easier to resolve disputes, set custom return policies).
• Allows negotiations and direct buyer communication.
• Fewer restrictions on product categories and listing styles.

Amazon Seller Support

• Strict seller policies (risk of account suspension if you violate guidelines).
• Limited buyer-seller communication (Amazon prefers automated responses).
• Higher return rates due to Amazon’s lenient refund policies.

Winner: eBay gives sellers more control, while Amazon enforces stricter rules but provides more automation.

 

7. Which Platform Is Best for You?

✅ Choose eBay if:

• You sell unique, used, or collectable items.
• You prefer lower fees and direct buyer interaction.
• You want more control over pricing, shipping, and policies.

✅ Choose Amazon if:

• You sell new, mass-market, or private-label products.
• You want fast, automated fulfilment with FBA.
• You aim for higher volume sales with fewer customer interactions.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I sell on both eBay and Amazon?

Yes! Many sellers use both platforms to diversify income and reach different types of buyers.

2. Which is more manageable for beginners?

eBay is easier for beginners since it has fewer restrictions and lower fees.

3. Do eBay or Amazon sellers make more money?

Amazon sellers often generate higher revenue, but eBay sellers have lower fees and more flexibility.

4. Which has better customer service for sellers?

eBay is more seller-friendly, while Amazon prioritises customers over sellers.

5. Does Amazon have more competition than eBay?

Amazon is more competitive because big brands and FBA sellers dominate the marketplace.

6. Which is better for long-term business growth?

Amazon is better for scaling, while eBay is ideal for niche sellers and side hustlers.

7. Can I sell the same products on both platforms?

Yes! You can cross-list products on both platforms to maximise exposure and sales.

8. Which platform is more profitable?

It depends on your product type, pricing strategy, and selling model.

 

eBay vs. Amazon – Which Wins?

Both eBay and Amazon have pros and cons, but the best platform for you depends on your selling and how you want to run your business.

Want the best of both worlds? Sell on both platforms to maximise your reach and profits!