Peer-to-peer e-commerce platforms have made it easier than ever to turn old clothes and other unwanted items into cash. In fact, many professional “resellers” buy and sell to flip items for a profit online. But with so many options, it can be hard to know where to start.
In this blog post, we'll compare two of the most popular choices: Poshmark and eBay. Both marketplaces have much to offer, but which is the best fit for you? We'll break down the pros and cons of each platform to help you make the best choice.
Founded in 2011, Poshmark is a social commerce marketplace known for buying and selling secondhand fashion. With over 80 million community members, Poshmark is one of the largest resale marketplaces. Known for fashion, Poshmark has recently expanded its categories to home goods, toys, select pet supplies, and electronics. One of the best things about Poshmark is its unparalleled ease of use. Poshmark offers the simplest selling and shipping experience, making it a top marketplace among sellers.
Did you know that Poshmark enhances your Google ranking? Your Poshmark listings can reach a wider audience beyond the platform itself, thanks to promoted placements in Google’s feed.
For an in-depth analysis of everything you need to know about Poshmark, check out The Poshmark Bible.
eBay is the largest and most lucrative peer-to-peer e-commerce marketplace. eBay has been around since 1995, and today, it is estimated that there are over 138 million active users worldwide. eBay is available in 180 countries, and eBay's top user bases are the USA, UK, and Germany.
On eBay, you can sell almost anything, including clothes, electronics, furniture, home goods, beauty products, commercial/industrial products, and more. With simple global shipping, eBay allows sellers to reach a global audience of potential buyers. As a result, eBay is well-suited for both casual sellers and professional sellers.
Learn the ins and outs of eBay in the article How to Sell on eBay.
Choosing the right marketplaces to sell your items can significantly affect your success as an online seller. In this section, we'll provide a detailed comparison between Poshmark and eBay, helping you determine which platform best suits your selling needs.
Poshmark primarily attracts a younger, trendier audience with a strong focus on women. The majority of Poshmark users are between 18-35 years old and female, and the platform is particularly popular among those interested in secondhand fashion, luxury items, and trendy clothing.
eBay's user base is much broader and more diverse in terms of age and interests. eBay attracts a global audience, including buyers and sellers of all ages with a wide range of interests. The marketplace is popular among collectors, hobbyists, and those looking for both new and used items across various categories.
Sellers focused on fashion and lifestyle items might prefer Poshmark due to its targeted demographic. However, those looking to reach a more diverse and global audience might find eBay's broader user base more advantageous.
The range of selling categories varies by marketplace. On Poshmark, you can sell men’s, women’s, and children’s fashion, select home items, pet items, and small electronics. On eBay, you can sell almost anything, so long as it is not illegal.
You’ll love the article Trends and Best Brands to Sell on Poshmark in 2024.
eBay is well-known for its wide variety of product categories, which is much more expansive than Poshmark. While both marketplaces excel in fashion, eBay's broader range of categories makes it a better fit for sellers with diverse inventories beyond fashion.
Poshmark offers the simplest interface. It is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, especially for those new to selling online. The platform's focus on simplicity makes it easy for users to list items quickly. Poshmark also offers resources like blogs and tutorials to help sellers succeed.
eBay’s interface is much more complex, reflecting the platform’s broader range of features and selling options. While eBay offers extensive tools for sellers, such as eBay Product Research, the learning curve can be steeper for beginners. However, eBay provides detailed guides and seller tools to help users navigate the platform.
💡Tip: Do not be intimidated by eBay’s complexities; those complexities are opportunities to increase sales to the largest audience.
Listing an item on Poshmark is straightforward. Sellers take photos, add a description, set a price, and select shipping options. The platform guides users through each step, making the process quick and easy.
👀 Did you know that the entire listing description is searchable on Poshmark? That means every word you enter in your Posh description helps your items to yield in relevant searches.
Listing on eBay requires more detailed information, including selecting item categories, executing item specifics, setting auction or buy-it-now prices, and creating and applying business profiles for payments, shipping, and returns. The eBay listing form is much more complex, but truly helps interested buyers to find your items.
💡Tip: Both Poshmark and eBay allow for listing videos in addition to product photos. Both marketplaces provide stats that listings with videos are significantly more likely to sell!
While Poshmark’s listing process is simpler and faster, eBay’s process, while more detailed and complex, allows for greater customization and control over listings.
Poshmark and eBay offer similar fees, but it is tough to compare due to eBay's complex fee structure.
eBay fees might be slightly lower than Poshmark fees, under some circumstances.
Here is a breakdown of Poshmark fees and eBay fees:
Poshmark fees are 20% of the sale price or a flat $2.95 fee for all items sold for less than $15.
Poshmark fees are simple and straightforward. There are no fees to list and separate payment processing fees- only the 20% selling fee upon sale. However, it is best to list items that you can sell for at least $15. If you sell an item for $3 on Poshmark, you make $0.05…
If you sell a pair of jeans on Poshmark for $20, you will make $16 after fees.
Sale Price: $20
Poshmark fee: $4
You make: $16
👀 Did you know you can also opt into Poshmark Promoted Closet for paid promotion? Fees apply.
eBay fees are the most difficult to ascertain. They truly cannot be estimated due to all the factors contributing to them.
For a super rough estimate, consider eBay fees between 15-20%. Here are some of the various eBay selling fees:
💡Tip: For example, eBay charges a final value fee of 13.25% plus $0.30 for most clothing categories.
eBay fees are complicated. We could write an entire blog about eBay selling fees; in fact, we did! Check out the article Everything You Need to Know About eBay Selling Fees for more information!
If you sell a pair of jeans on eBay for $20 you will make $13.98 after fees under the following parameters:
Poshmark's fees are straightforward but potentially higher, especially for lower-priced items. eBay’s fees can vary widely based on the item category and seller’s choices, making it difficult to calculate potential profits.
Poshmark provides a simple messaging system within the app, allowing buyers and sellers to communicate directly about items, offers, and orders. Buyers can also communicate via comments on listings or even comments within a bundle (like a shopping cart) they have curated. The private “message” feature on Poshmark is unavailable until a sale occurs.
eBay offers a more robust messaging system with options for sellers to communicate with buyers through messages, emails, and even order-specific notes. Sellers can also send offers directly to interested buyers.
eBay’s communication tools are more versatile and suited for handling a high volume of transactions. Poshmark’s tools are simple but effective for the platform’s social-commerce approach.
Poshmark allows buyers to offer items, and sellers can accept, decline, or counteroffer. Sellers can also send offers to “likers” in bulk or individually. This process is straightforward and integrated into the platform’s social features.
eBay offers similar flexibility, with buyers able to make offers on buy-it-now items and sellers able to accept, decline, or counter. Sellers can also send offers to “watchers” but on a limited basis, to only the newest watchers. Additionally, eBay's auction feature allows buyers to bid on items, which can increase the final sale price.
Both platforms offer easy-to-use negotiation tools, but eBay’s auction option adds an extra layer of flexibility for sellers looking to maximize their profits.
Poshmark offers the simplest shipping for sellers, offering only a flat-rate shipping option. The platform provides a prepaid shipping label for USPS, and the cost is typically paid by the buyer. While this is simple, it does not allow the seller much control over shipping and handling.
eBay offers multiple shipping options, including USPS, UPS, and FedEx, giving sellers flexibility in choosing the best shipping method. Sellers can also offer free shipping or pass the cost to buyers. eBay allows sellers to create shipping profiles with their desired carriers, charges (calculated or flat), handling time, handling fees, and more. eBay sellers can purchase shipping labels directly from eBay or facilitate shipping on their own.
👀 Did you know that eBay offers the simplest global shipping of any marketplace? You simply ship to the eBay Global shipping hub in the U.S. From there, they handle the packaging, customs, and international shipping. They also handle returns.
In comparison, eBay offers far superior, albeit far more complex, shipping offers for sellers. Poshmark’s shipping process is simpler but less flexible, while eBay offers more options, making it better suited for sellers shipping a wide range of items. Poshmark also allows only national shipping, while eBay provides for global shipping.
Poshmark does not allow returns unless the item is not as described (wrong item sent, undisclosed damage, not authentic, etc.). To attempt a return, a buyer must open a Poshmark case and submit photographic evidence to support their claim. Within the formal case, the buyer, seller, and Poshmark can all communicate back and forth to “hash it out.”
In my experience, Poshmark is certainly not quick to respond, but it is the fairest platform. While other platforms have a reputation for “always siding with the buyer,” Poshmark is fairly true to it’s return policy.
eBay allows sellers to set their return policies, including whether they accept returns, the return window, and who pays for return shipping. However, eBay’s buyer protection program may override seller policies in certain situations.
While you don’t have to allow returns on eBay, most top sellers would argue that you basically do. To become a member of the eBay Top Rated Seller Plus program, you have to offer free returns. Even if you aren’t interested in achieving that milestone, failing to offer returns can be very risky for eBay sellers. Basically- if your buyer wants a return, they’re going to get one. To circumvent your “no return” policy, buyers may open an “INAD” (item not as described return claim) and eBay will likely side with the buyer. Yes- even if your item is exactly as described, the eBay buyer is always right. You are highly unlikely to “win” a case on eBay.
When a buyer successfully opens an INAD claim, you must accept the return, pay the return shipping, and have an infraction on your account. So, you might as well offer free returns because either way, a determined buyer will force one upon you.
As such, most high-volume eBay sellers accept returns.
In comparison, Poshmark has a superior return policy. On Poshmark, a buyer simply cannot return an item if it doesn’t fit or if they changed their mind, while on eBay, they basically can.
Poshmark accepts credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, and PayPal. The transactions are secure, and buyers can choose their preferred payment method at checkout.
eBay accepts a wide range of payment methods, including credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and more. eBay’s managed payments system handles all transactions securely.
Both platforms offer secure and convenient payment options, but eBay’s wider range of accepted payment methods provides greater flexibility for buyers.
On Poshmark, sellers receive their earnings once the buyer has received and accepted the item or three days after delivery, whichever comes first. The funds are deposited into the seller’s Poshmark account and can be withdrawn to a bank account, typically taking 2-5 business days.
eBay processes payouts daily or weekly, depending on the seller’s preference. Once an item is marked as delivered, eBay releases the funds to the seller’s bank account, with processing typically taking 1-5 business days. On eBay, several factors can affect the fund distribution status, such as subscription type.
Both marketplaces offer efficient payout processes, but eBay’s ability to choose the payout schedule gives sellers more control over their cash flow.
Let’s explore the pros and cons of selling on Poshmark. By understanding the platform's benefits and challenges, you'll be better equipped to decide if it's the right choice for your reselling business.
💡Tip: Poshmark sellers can use free USPS Priority Mail supplies because Poshmark labels qualify. Find them at the post office or order them for free to your door!
Let’s explore the pros and cons of selling on eBay to help you better understand the selling experience.
There's no denying that selling on Poshmark and eBay are great options for resellers. Both platforms are great for reselling new or secondhand items. But which one is right for you?
If you're looking for simplicity and a streamlined selling experience, Poshmark is the way to go. But if you're willing to put in a little extra work for the chance to reach a global audience and scale your reselling business, eBay is the better choice.
Of course, there's no wrong answer here. It all depends on your personal preferences and goals. If you are looking into selling on both platforms, we recommend trying Vendoo's crosslisting software!
👀 Did you know eBay and Poshmark are two of the most popular and lucrative marketplaces for Vendoo users?
In this article, we’ve explored the key differences between Poshmark and eBay, two of the most popular online selling marketplaces. Poshmark excels in fashion and lifestyle categories, offering a user-friendly experience with a strong social commerce aspect. On the other hand, eBay provides a broader range of product categories and a global reach, making it a great choice for sellers with diverse inventories who are willing to navigate a more complex platform.
But why choose just one? With Vendoo’s crosslisting software, you can leverage the benefits of both platforms simultaneously.
Vendoo allows you to save time, streamline your listing process, and reach a broader audience, maximizing your sales potential.
Whether you're selling on Poshmark, eBay, or any other marketplace, Vendoo makes it easy to manage all your listings from one place.
Ready to take your reselling business to the next level? Try Vendoo for free!
Do you sell on Poshmark and/or eBay? Share your experience below! 👇🏼