Ah, eBay—the subject of Weird Al Yankovic songs, the cause of occasional unexpected news headlines, and the source of our thriftier friends’ wardrobes.
It might seem like nothing could hold a candle to this beloved online marketplace, but many other sites like eBay do exist.
These platforms provide an alternative for folks to buy and sell used and new items alike.
Whether you’re searching for unique products or starting an online business, even longtime eBay users (like myself) should check out the pros and cons of these sites.
Etsy
Once the domain of hobby crafters, Etsy now features all kinds of products—mass-produced mugs, screen-printed t-shirts, and even digital guides to selling on Etsy.
And the hobby crafters are still there, too, hawking hand-sewn quilts and macrame wall hangings.
Etsy’s fees are minimal compared to eBay’s: 20 cents per listing, plus a 6.5% transaction fee per sale.
In my personal sales experience, you’ll need to do ample product research and SEO tinkering to make your listings stand out.
One of those digital selling guides may help.
OfferUp
For those trying to sell large items, like furniture or boats, OfferUp is built with a focus on local, in-person transactions.
You can buy and sell in confidence via the TruYou membership program, which verifies users’ identities with the aim of preventing scam listings.
I say “aim” because some users complain the site doesn’t do enough to prevent scams and bots.
But let’s face it, that’s par for the course for online marketplaces.
As with any internet transaction, if red flags arise with a buyer or seller, trust your gut and back away.
Mercari
Mercari is essentially Japan’s answer to eBay, and while its user base is smaller (think around 20 million rather than 135 million), that can still translate to plenty of sales.
Users around the world sell clothes, home goods, collectibles, and much more here.
Like eBay, Mercari allows sellers to list for free—but also like eBay, Mercari charges a percentage of every sale.
Currently, that fee is 2.9% plus 50 cents, as well as a $2 fee per direct deposit payment.
Annoying, but still lower than eBay, where fees can run up to 15%.
eBid
Launched just a few years after eBay, eBid serves as an online marketplace for auctions and fixed-price products. Sound familiar? Even the interface resembles eBay’s. Notably, though, most selling costs here are less than a dollar, and monthly memberships help keep fees low.
However, the tradeoff here is much less web traffic.
As a result, users typically market their own products on social media rather than waiting for organic shoppers.
Some users hate it; some users love it (you’ll have to look into the memberships and decide for yourself).
Amazon
No matter your personal feelings about Amazon, there’s no denying the power of this ubiquitous digital storefront where you can buy everything from A to Z.
You can also sell everything from A to Z through the Fulfilled by Amazon or Fulfilled by Merchant programs.
Amazon charges monthly fees to high-volume vendors and 99 cents per sale for small sellers.
You can also consider paying for Amazon Ads if you need extra traffic.
The income potential here is high, though, with some sellers raking in thousands of dollars every month.
Walmart Marketplace
If you’re wondering why you’ve never heard of selling on Walmart Marketplace before, that’s likely because Walmart requires all third-party sellers to be verified businesses.
That said, those who fulfill that condition gain access to Walmart’s enormous customer base.
You can set up an account for free, though you’ll pay a referral fee of 5 to 15% per sale.
It’s not exactly beginner-friendly since previous sales records are a must.
But Walmart Marketplace presents big opportunities for anyone with prior eCommerce experience.
Facebook Marketplace
Many in the resale game call Facebook Marketplace the new Craigslist.
The interface is so simple that even my tech-challenged parents have been able to buy and sell furniture on it, and Facebook only charges sales fees for shipped items.
So, in-person pickups are fee-free.
Prices on Facebook Marketplace tend to be lower, but you can cross-market by posting to multiple pages (“flea market” groups are great for this).
Note that you won’t have the guaranteed seller protections of other sites, so screen potential customers before making a sale.
Poshmark
Poshmark first launched as an online fashion marketplace, and though it’s expanded to include home goods, tech, and more, the site is still best known as a place to buy and sell clothes and accessories.
Fast fashion brand sweaters and designer purses alike abound here.
Before you get too excited, Poshmark does charge a hefty 20% selling fee on items of $15 or more.
With enough volume, you could make thousands of bucks a month, but you could also just use Poshmark here and there for extra cash—updating your closet may lead to new sales.
Swappa
Customers often struggle to verify the quality of eBay’s technology listings, but that’s not a problem on Swappa.
This platform allows users to buy and sell used tech like smartphones and refurbished tablets, verifying listings by IMEI and ESN numbers.
Still, as with any eCommerce marketplace, earning good feedback is key to making more money here.
While Swappa hosts its fair share of high-volume flippers, you can also find success as a smaller seller.
Listings are free, and the site takes just 3% of the final sale.
Chairish
No old DVDs or Beanie Babies to be found on Chairish—the site skews more toward the high-end, vintage market.
Sellers can charge a premium for items like mid-century modern couches and Swarovski jewelry, with listing prices often in the thousands of dollars.
Chairish differs from other eCommerce sites in that it’s a consignment operation, not a peer-to-peer marketplace.
But you’ll have to pay top dollar to avoid those customer service headaches.
Commissions can range from 22 to 45% of each sale, plus monthly membership fees.
Bonanza
Just like eBay, Bonanza places no limits on what kinds of products you can sell or buy.
Drill bits?
You can find them on Bonanza.
Handmade necklaces?
You can find them on Bonanza.
Dietary supplements?
You might want to purchase with caution, but those are on Bonanza, too.
Selling on Bonanza has its pros and cons: sales fees are just 25 cents for users without an active membership, plus a variable final value fee.
On the other hand, Bonanza rarely intervenes in seller-customer disputes, so you could struggle to find recourse for a nasty buyer.
RubyLane
As a former antiques dealer, I wish I’d heard of RubyLane before trying my luck on eBay.
RubyLane caters to customers buying vintage and collectibles, with items that run the gamut of furniture, pottery, jewelry, and those porcelain dolls that may or may not be haunted.
The marketplace launched in 1998, so the site has worked out all the kinks seen in newer eCommerce spaces.
RubyLane charges a $45 monthly membership and a percentage per item, though the site’s lower traffic makes it best for people trying to move a few big-ticket items.
Decluttr
Decluttr joins Swappa in the used technology niche.
The main difference, though, is that Decluttr is a consignment shop.
On the upside, you won’t have to deal with customers, but on the downside, you might not earn top dollar since Decluttr has to resell your products.
Decluttr does have the advantage of a dedicated customer base since all items are verified and prices are often low.
Sellers who want to turn a profit here should focus on making high-volume sales for small profit margins, which may require a bit of extra footwork.
eCrater
In terms of products, eCrater has it all—laptop batteries, vintage posters, you name it.
This is pretty standard for an eCommerce site, but eCrater also charges no listing fees unless an item sells on the Main Marketplace or through their advertising services.
However, the tradeoff for these low fees is low traffic.
You likely won’t see the same amount of sales as on other sites, so you may have to charge lower rates.
Come prepared to spend time fine-tuning your pricing and items, and you’ll soon dial in those profit margins.
Which eBay alternative caught your eye?
Whether searching for unique products online or selling your own items for income, sites like eBay can help you turn a profit in either savings or sales.
You can easily set up a digital shop on most of these internet marketplaces, so research to find the right one for you.
Selling online, whether used or new items, may prove more profitable than you think.
Even if you don’t have Elton John’s wardrobe or a small Texas town to sell, you could be sitting on a gold mine – you won’t know until you put your products out there.