Want to know where your stuff will sell for the most money? I've spent the last year actively selling on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Mercari - and I'm breaking down exactly where I've had the best success and highest profits. Let's dive into the pros, cons, and profit potential of each platform.
Facebook Marketplace: The Local Champion
Facebook Marketplace has become my go-to for large items and furniture. Why? Zero shipping hassle. Local buyers pick up directly from you, meaning no packaging materials or shipping costs eating into your profits. I've consistently gotten higher prices here for furniture, exercise equipment, and household items compared to other platforms.
The downside? You're limited to your local market, and no-shows are frustratingly common. However, I've found that clear communication and requiring small deposits through Facebook Pay has significantly reduced flaky buyers.
Profit Potential: Best for items $50-500, especially furniture and bulky items
Average Profit Margin: 60-70% (no shipping costs!)
eBay: The Established Giant
eBay remains king for collectibles, electronics, and specialty items. The platform's massive reach means you can often command premium prices for the right items. I've had particular success with vintage electronics, trading cards, and brand-name clothing.
The catch? eBay's fees can be steep (around 13% plus payment processing), and their policies tend to favor buyers heavily. Shipping costs can also cut into profits significantly if not calculated carefully.
Profit Potential: Best for items $20-1000+, especially collectibles and electronics
Average Profit Margin: 40-50% (after fees and shipping)
Mercari: The Rising Star
Mercari has surprised me with its effectiveness for selling trendy items, beauty products, and fashion. The platform's younger user base actively seeks out current brands and styles. Their flat 10% fee structure is refreshingly straightforward.
The platform's biggest advantage? Less competition than eBay and a more engaged buyer base than Facebook Marketplace. However, buyers expect heavy discounts, and lowball offers are common.
Profit Potential: Best for items $10-200, especially trending items and fashion
Average Profit Margin: 45-55% (after fees and shipping)
Where I Make the Most Money
After tracking my sales for the past year, here's the breakdown:
Highest Profit Items:
- Facebook Marketplace: Furniture and home goods
- eBay: Collectibles and electronics
- Mercari: Fashion and trending items
Highest Profit Margins:
1. Facebook Marketplace (70%)
2. Mercari (55%)
3. eBay (50%)
Pro Tip: Want to maximize your profits across all platforms? Check out lazylister.net for tools that help you cross-post listings efficiently and track your sales performance.
The Verdict
Each platform has its sweet spot. I make the most pure profit on Facebook Marketplace due to zero shipping costs and fees, but eBay brings in the highest total revenue thanks to its massive audience. Mercari serves as an excellent supplementary platform, especially for trending items.
My recommendation? Don't limit yourself to just one platform. Cross-post strategically based on what you're selling. Furniture and local items go to Facebook Marketplace, collectibles and high-value items to eBay, and trending items to Mercari.
Comments
Post a Comment