eBay vs. Amazon for Resellers: Fees, Control, and Which Fits Your Inventory
Quick answer
eBay is usually the better fit for used, unique, vintage, collectible, and one-off items, because you create your own listing and set your own condition description. Amazon tends to suit new, branded, multi-quantity products that match an existing catalog page, especially with Amazon's fulfillment service. Fees, competition, and rules differ significantly, so many resellers use both and route each item to the channel where it nets the most profit.
Key takeaways
- eBay: your own listing, flexible condition descriptions, auctions and offers, strong for used and unique goods.
- Amazon: shared catalog pages, buy box competition, strong for new branded products at volume.
- Both charge category-based percentage fees; Amazon adds fulfillment fees if you use its warehouses.
- Some Amazon categories and brands are restricted for new sellers.
- Compare net profit per item, not headline fee percentages.
"Should I sell on eBay or Amazon?" is a common question from resellers ready to grow. The honest answer is that they're built for different kinds of inventory. Understanding the differences helps you put each item where it earns the most. Fee details change, so check each marketplace's official fee pages before deciding.
How are eBay and Amazon different for sellers?
| eBay | Amazon | |
|---|---|---|
| Listings | You create your own listing for each item | Most products share one catalog page; sellers compete for the buy box |
| Best inventory | Used, vintage, collectible, unique, parts | New, branded, multi-quantity products |
| Pricing formats | Fixed price, auction, Best Offer | Fixed price |
| Selling fees | Category % final value fee + per-order fee | Category referral fee %, plus a monthly fee on the professional plan or per-item fees on the individual plan |
| Fulfillment | Usually self-fulfilled or via a 3PL | Self-fulfilled or Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) with fulfillment and storage fees |
| Restrictions | Category and item policies | Many categories and brands require approval |
| Buyer relationship | Messaging, offers, store following | Very limited seller-buyer contact |
Which platform has lower fees?
It depends on the item. Percentage fees are in a broadly similar range for many categories, but Amazon adds FBA fees if you use its fulfillment, plus storage fees for slow inventory, while eBay sellers pay their own shipping. Comparing headline percentages is misleading — compare net profit per item after every fee and shipping cost. Our guide to calculating eBay profit shows the eBay side; build the same calculation for Amazon.
When is eBay the better choice?
- Used items where condition varies from unit to unit.
- Vintage, collectibles, and items without a barcode.
- Rare items where an auction can reveal true market value.
- Bundles and lots — see selling lots.
- Car parts, electronics parts, and repairable items.
When is Amazon the better choice?
- New, sealed branded products with an existing catalog page.
- Products you can buy repeatedly and send in bulk to FBA.
- Items where fast, Prime-eligible delivery drives sales.
Check brand and category restrictions first; some require approval or documentation from authorized suppliers.
Should you sell on both?
Many growing resellers do. A practical approach is to route each item by type: new branded multi-quantity goods to Amazon, used and unique items to eBay. If you list the same item in both places, you need inventory sync to avoid selling it twice — see cross-listing.
How do you compare results across platforms?
Track profit per item, sell-through, and return rate for each channel over a few months. MyOrderProfit focuses on eBay profit tracking; its Enterprise warehouse module also includes Amazon FBA shipment management for operations that prepare inventory for Amazon. Whatever tools you use, compare channels on net profit and cash flow, not gross sales.
Frequently asked questions
Is eBay or Amazon better for reselling?
eBay is usually better for used, unique, vintage, and collectible items, while Amazon tends to suit new branded products sold in quantity. Many resellers use both and route items by type.
Are Amazon fees higher than eBay fees?
Percentage selling fees are broadly similar in many categories, but Amazon can add fulfillment and storage fees while eBay sellers pay their own shipping. Compare net profit per item rather than headline percentages.
Can I sell used items on Amazon?
Amazon allows used items in some categories under specific condition guidelines, but many categories and brands are restricted, and used goods without a catalog page generally fit eBay better.