As an entrepreneur and ecommerce consultant, I‘m often asked – which is better for buying and selling, Poshmark or eBay? With over 159 million active eBay buyers and 80 million Poshmark users, both platforms offer major opportunities – but also key differences.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my insights on Poshmark vs eBay based on in-depth research and my own experience as an ecommerce seller. Whether you‘re just starting out or looking to expand your online business, this breakdown will help you make the right choice.
Key Differences at a Glance
Before we dive in, here are some of the most significant differences between the two platforms:
- Focus: Poshmark centers on fashion and apparel, while eBay covers every product category.
- Fees: Poshmark charges a flat 20% commission fee on sales over $15. eBay fees include listing fees and a 10% final value fee.
- Shipping: Poshmark handles shipping with flat-rate pre-paid labels. eBay sellers manage their own shipping.
- Support: eBay offers robust seller support resources. Poshmark provides more limited direct support.
- Community: Poshmark emphasizes social engagement. eBay focuses on facilitating transactions.
Let‘s explore each of these key factors in more depth.
Poshmark vs eBay for Sellers
For those looking to sell pre-loved fashion online, Poshmark and eBay both offer major opportunities – but very different experiences.
Fees and Commissions
On Poshmark, you‘ll pay a 20% commission fee on any sale over $15. Sales under $15 have a $2.95 flat fee. There are no listing, insertion or subscription fees.
eBay Insertion fees apply for product listings and usually range from $0.35 to $4.80 per listing. When your item sells, you‘ll pay a 10% final value fee on the total sale amount including shipping.
For a $50 item sold on Poshmark, you would pay a $10 commission fee. That same $50 item on eBay with a $0.35 insertion fee and 10% ($5) final value fee totals $5.35.
My take: Poshmark‘s flat 20% fee may seem high, but no insertion fees keeps costs predictable. eBay fees can chip away at profits, but 10% final value fee provides opportunity for higher earnings on pricier items.
Shipping and Logistics
On Poshmark, shipping is handled with pre-paid labels. When an item sells, Poshmark emails you a shipping label to print and affix to your package. Costs range from $4.99 to $7.11 depending on package weight.
With eBay, sellers determine and manage their own shipping costs and logistics across various carrier options. This provides flexibility but also requires more effort.
Anecdote: In my experience, Poshmark‘s pre-paid labels save significant time and hassle compared to coordinating my own shipping for eBay sales. But rates may be higher than negotiating commercial carrier discounts.
Exposure and Reach
Poshmark has an engaged user base of 80 million, but focuses exclusively on apparel and accessories. eBay‘s 159 million buyers represent a much wider range of interests.
In 2021, Poshmark saw $1.7 billion in GMV (gross merchandise volume). eBay‘s total GMV during that same period topped $87.5 billion globally.
My analysis: eBay‘s scale offers mass exposure potential, but fashion items can get drowned out competing with non-apparel products. Poshmark provides targeted reach to fashion enthusiasts.
Support Resources
eBay has been supporting sellers since 1995 – and it shows. Robust help content, dedicated customer support reps available by phone, and seller standards enforcement represent some of eBay‘s strengths.
By comparison, Poshmark is still building up its seller support resources. While limited direct support is available via email, their focus remains on providing tools for sellers to manage their own sales.
The takeaway: Seasoned eBay sellers can leverage decades of established marketplace support infrastructure. Poshmark sellers need more self-sufficiency but can benefit from a community-driven model.
Poshmark vs eBay for Buyers
For shoppers, Poshmark and eBay each offer a unique browsing and purchasing experience.
Item Selection and Inventory
With over 1.7 billion new listings added in 2021, eBay offers an unmatched breadth of inventory across virtually any category – new and used alike. Poshmark‘s selection focuses exclusively on previously-owned clothing and accessories.
Poshmark shoppers can browse over 75 million items across 4,000 designer brands curated by stylists. eBay‘s wider range of categories provides opportunity to find items besides fashion.
Pricing and Discounts
Poshmark‘s emphasis on boutique and premium fashion means higher average prices compared to eBay‘s more variable marketplace pricing.
On Poshmark in 2021, the average sold item price was $15-$50+. eBay‘s 2021 gross merchandise volume (GMV) data showed 29% of merchandise sold for under $10 and 23% sold for $10-$25.
The takeaway: Poshmark attracts premium prices from brand-focused shoppers. eBay offers significant discount potential across a wider range of price points.
Community Engagement
A core part of Poshmark‘s value proposition is social interaction. Users follow each other, comment on listings, share finds, and even host virtual shopping parties. This cultivates a sense of community and engagement.
Alternatively, eBay focuses mainly on search-based discovery and individual transactions. While users can leave seller ratings, there is less emphasis on social features.
My perspective: As an entrepreneur, I appreciate the connections and relationships built on Poshmark. But eBay‘s efficient search and transaction focus can also streamline the buying experience.
Making Your Platform Pick
While I‘ve covered some key factors here, evaluating Poshmark vs eBay requires examining the pros and cons against your specific needs as a buyer and/or seller. Here are a few tips as you weigh your options:
- Take a close look at fee structures and consider impacts on profitability.
- Compare community engagement models – are social features or efficiencies more valuable to you?
- Analyze shipping considerations based on your logistics capabilities.
- Look at pricing and inventory availability within your target categories.
- Assess platform support against your ability to self-manage sales.
Of course, consider listing on both Poshmark and eBay to maximize visibility. But when evaluating where to invest your primary efforts, keep the above factors in mind based on your individual priorities.
With this complete Poshmark vs eBay overview and analysis, you now have the insights you need to decide which platform works best for your ecommerce business or shopping. Let me know if you have any other questions!
