Poshmark vs. eBay: Which One is Better for Your Business

Whether you’re trying to clear out your closet or want to establish your own online resale business, the platform you choose to sell your items on will have a bearing on your success. That’s why it’s important to understand the differences in selling on Poshmark vs. eBay.

While there are many platforms for re-selling second-hand items, most sellers choose to use Poshmark or eBay because they’re the two most well-known resale platforms. But which is better for you?

This article will analyze different facets of the debate to help you make an informed decision before diving into the world of recommerce. We’ll take a look at the resale market, different things you should know about selling on Poshmark vs. eBay, and some successful tips for selling.

Don’t forget that whichever platform you choose, Easyship can help you seamlessly manage your shipping with more than 250 affordable courier solutions, automated shipping labels and customs forms, customizable shipping rules, and branded tracking slips. We also integrate directly with eBay and Poshmark and can offer plenty of expertise when it comes to shipping clothes.

The Rise of ReCommerce in Fashion

ReCommerce is a business model built around the concept of reusing, reducing, and recycling secondhand items. Previously, you had to visit thrift shops, flea markets, or garage sales to buy secondhand clothes, and you had to sift through a range of old clothes to find something that looks good, is the right size, and of decent quality.

Fast forward to the digital era and recommerce has changed the secondhand clothing game. Today, you can buy or sell high-quality secondhand items like jewelry, clothes, shoes, handbags, electronics, and accessories through online marketplaces.

Today, a younger, more tech-savvy, and environmentally-conscious generation of younger shoppers is aware of the need for sustainability in fashion to keep the planet healthy and minimize waste. Many of them are also dealing with unprecedented economic upheaval and tight budgets. This has propelled the idea of recommerce into a popular shopping and selling method.

By 2023, the recommerce market is estimated to reach a record $51 billion and be 1.5 times the size of fast fashion by 2028. 74% of consumers aged 18 to 29 value purchasing from sustainable brands and prefer shopping within the recommerce markets. This speaks to the need for the modern consumer to access high-quality brands at lower prices.

Related post: Etsy vs eBay

Poshmark vs. eBay: 8 Key Differences

Whether you prefer to use Poshmark or eBay, both are great platforms for selling second-hand garments and accessories. But, of course, each platform has particular nuances that may make it more suitable to your individual needs. Here are a few things to consider when selling on Poshmark vs. eBay.

1. Platform Limitations
Platform limitations are an essential factor to consider when deciding between Poshmark vs. eBay. Poshmark is limited to selling clothing, shoes, and accessories within the US; eBay is an international marketplace that gives you the potential for more sales as you can sell to people around the world.

You can also sell almost anything on eBay, such as clothing, household items, old toys, random trinkets, and memorabilia. So, in choosing between Poshmark vs. eBay, you should consider what you’re selling and where you want to sell to.

2. Listing and Selling
With Poshmark, you get free listings every month, and you can list as many items as you want. The listing process is quite easy and straightforward with the Poshmark app. All you need to do is capture good pictures of your items on your phone, write a captivating description, and click a few buttons to list your item. This only takes a few minutes and you don’t need to log onto your computer.

You also get lots of selling features on Poshmark. You can offer discounts for multiple purchases, offer private discounts, and share your items directly. For luxury items above $500, Poshmark also offers free authentication, giving buyers the confidence to make big purchases.

eBay gives you 50 free listings per month; after this, you have to pay for additional listings. This may be an important consideration for sellers who want to be able to create a lot of listings every month. Listing on eBay is also very detailed and can be time-consuming as there are several hoops to jump through in order to list an item. You’ll also have to decide whether you want to offer the item for auction or as a “Buy It Now” purchase.

So, another factor in the Poshmark vs. eBay debate is how you want to list and sell your items. Poshmark is the way to go; if you want more functionality, you may want to choose eBay.

3. Fees
Poshmark fees vs. eBay costs are another important factor in making a decision about which platform to use. Poshmark charges a flat fee of $2.29 for purchases under $15, or 20% for sales over $15.

On eBay, however, you’ll have to pay a 10% sales fee, as well as a 3% PayPal fee, which is a total of 13%. This is another thing to consider when weighing up Poshmark vs. eBay. If you’re planning to sell more expensive items, then eBay may be the better platform as it offers a lower standard sales fee.

4. Returns
There are no returns or refunds on Poshmark. That means you don't have to worry about returns once the buyer receives and accepts your item. Unless someone opens a case against you (for example for a damaged or misrepresented product), the money is yours once a purchase is made.

eBay has optional returns, meaning you don't have to offer returns. But PayPal allows returns within 180 days - this is regardless of whether you have stated ‘no returns’ on your eBay listing. So, when deciding between Poshmark vs. eBay, you’ll need to think about to what extent you want to deal with returns.

5. Payments
Poshmark offers a fast payout. When a buyer makes a purchase, payment is processed immediately.  The buyer has only three days to accept the item, after which the payment is approved automatically. You don't have to wait to get your money.

Payment on eBay is somewhat slower. After winning an auction or selling an item, you will have to wait until the buyer pays you. If a buyer doesn’t pay, you have to email or invoice them and encourage them to pay. You can also open a case against the buyer, which can be a hassle and waste time.

Payment is probably the most important part of recommerce, so it’s an important consideration in the Poshmark vs. eBay debate. If you want fast, easy payments, Poshmark should be your choice.

6. Shipping
Poshmark offers a simplified shipping process. Poshmark provides a shipping label, and all items are shipped using USPS Priority Mail. You can also get USPS boxes for free. Items below 5lbs have $7.11 shipping on Poshmark.

eBay has a complicated shipping process that gives the seller different shipping options. There are different options for calculating shipping rates, whether you should offer free or paid shipping, and whether you’ll absorb the cost of shipping.

Again, in deciding between Poshmark vs. eBay, you’ll need to decide how you want to deal with shipping. Poshmark offers a hassle-free process, but eBay has greater flexibility.

Easyship integrates directly with Poshmark and eBay, so you can easily ship your orders with a few clicks of the button. Your orders can be synced into your Easyship account, allowing you to quickly set up shipping labels, and tracking.

7. Customer Base
Poshmark has a smaller community of users compared to eBay, but they're explicitly looking for used clothing and accessories. eBay, on the other hand, is an enormous marketplace with about 150 to 200 million users per year, but only a portion of them use the site to look for clothing and accessories. So, you should consider what items you’ll be selling before you decide which platform to use.

8. Customer Service
Poshmark doesn't offer immediate customer service as their customer service is done by email only. It can take up to two days before you get a reply, and most of the responses are generic. It may be challenging to have your issues addressed directly.

eBay offers phone customer service, which means you can reach out to someone quickly and get answers right away if you have an urgent problem. You’re sure to get quick service every day from 5 AM to 10 PM.

Poshmark vs. eBay: Choosing the Right Platform for Your Resale Needs

As you can see, there’s a lot to consider in the Poshmark vs. eBay debate. Both platforms have a long list of pros and cons, and you need to weigh these up when deciding which one will work best for your business.

Whichever platform you choose, you should keep a few tips for success in mind. Using quality product photos, creative descriptions, leveraging social media, and being honest with your customers can help you build a successful online resale business. Whether you’re selling on Poshmark vs. eBay, you’ll be ready for resale success.

How Easyship Can Help

Easyship offers seamless shipping management for online store owners, providing more than 550+ affordable courier solutions, automated shipping labels and customs forms, customizable shipping rules, and branded tracking slips. By integrating directly with platforms like eBay and Poshmark, Easyship simplifies the shipping process and saves time for store owners.

Poshmark vs. eBay FAQ

Can I sell the same item on eBay and Poshmark?

Yes, you can sell the same item on eBay and Poshmark.

Is Poshmark better than eBay for amateur sellers?

It depends on your eCommerce business. eBay requires more steps before you get your store up and running, but Poshmark is more beginner-friendly.  

What does NWT mean on Poshmark?

NWT stands for "New with Tags," and is commonly used for fashion apparel.