Most resellers default to eBay for everything. That's leaving serious money on the table. Here's exactly how each major UK platform compares — and how to choose the right one per item.
Most resellers default to eBay for everything. That's leaving serious money on the table. The right platform depends on the item type, condition, buyer demographic, and fee structure. Here's the full breakdown.
| Platform | Selling fee | Listing fee | Payment processing | Effective take rate | |----------|-------------|-------------|-------------------|---------------------| | eBay UK | 12.8% | Free (250/month) | Included | ~12.8% | | Vinted | 5% buyer fee | Free | Free for sellers | ~0–5%* | | Depop | 10% | Free | Stripe ~2.9% | ~13% | | Etsy | 6.5% + £0.20 listing | £0.20/listing | 4% + £0.20 | ~11% | | Amazon FBA | 8–15% + fulfilment | £0.75/item | Included | ~20–35% | | Facebook Marketplace | 0% local / 5% shipped | Free | Varies | 0–5% |
*Vinted charges buyers a fee, not sellers — this is a significant advantage for sellers.
Best for: Electronics, branded clothing, collectibles, tools, most general items
eBay has the largest UK buyer base by far. For anything with a specific model number, brand, or serial (electronics, named brands, specific collectibles) eBay typically delivers the highest sell-through rate and the most competitive bidding.
Weaknesses: 12.8% fee eats margin fast. High competition on common items. Requires good photos and accurate descriptions or your listing gets buried.
Tip: eBay's sold listing search is the gold standard for pricing any item. Search the item title, filter by Sold Listings, and sort by price high to low to see the ceiling.
Best for: Any secondhand clothing, shoes, accessories — especially brands like Zara, ASOS, Nike, Adidas, H&M
Vinted's killer feature is that sellers pay zero fees. The buyer pays a small protection fee. This means your £40 Vinted sale puts £40 in your pocket. The equivalent eBay sale at 12.8% puts £34.88 in your pocket.
On a job lot of 20 clothing items averaging £35 each, Vinted vs eBay is a difference of £102 on the same items.
Weaknesses: Limited to clothing, shoes, accessories, and some home goods. No bidding — fixed price only. Buyers expect casual photos, not studio shots.
Best for: Vintage clothing (especially 80s–90s), streetwear, graphic tees, band merch, retro sportswear, Y2K fashion
Depop buyers skew 18–30 and pay premiums for aesthetically photographed items with the right styling. A vintage Nike windbreaker that sells for £45 on eBay can fetch £75 on Depop with the right photos and hashtags.
Weaknesses: 10% fee plus Stripe processing. Discovery is hashtag-driven — your photos and presentation matter more than on eBay. Slower for non-fashion items.
Best for: Vintage items (20+ years old), collectibles, antiques, ceramics, prints, jewellery, anything with "story" appeal
Etsy buyers are specifically searching for unique, vintage, or handmade goods. A 1970s ceramic vase that nets £15 on eBay can fetch £35+ on Etsy to a buyer actively looking for it.
Weaknesses: 6.5% + £0.20 per listing + payment processing adds up. Requires some time investment to set up a proper shop. Less suitable for electronics, modern branded goods.
Best for: New or like-new goods with barcodes, consumables, books, basic electronics
Amazon FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) is a volume game. You send stock to an Amazon warehouse, they fulfil orders. Fees are high (often 20–35% all-in) but you get access to Amazon's enormous buyer trust.
Not recommended for: One-off auction lots, used clothing, anything without a standard barcode.
Best for: Large items (furniture, appliances, bikes), anything expensive to post, local clearance
Marketplace is free to use and buyers collect in person. No fees, no postage, no packaging. For a heavy item that would cost £40 to courier, collecting locally is almost always better margin.
Weaknesses: No buyer protection. Risk of time-wasters and no-shows. Not suitable for small items where the time cost of local collection isn't worth it.
The best resellers don't default to one platform. They match item type to platform:
The Arbitrage AI Price Intel engine runs this comparison automatically for every lot — showing you the net-after-fees price on each platform so you can pick the winner before you even buy.
Key takeaway: eBay is not always the best option. Vinted's zero seller fees make it the highest-margin platform for clothing. Depop premiums vintage fashion. Etsy rewards unique items. Always compare platforms before listing — the difference can be 40–60% more net revenue from the same item.
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