With giants like Amazon and specialized platforms like Etsy dominating headlines, you might be asking yourself: Is selling on eBay worth it in 2025? 

The short answer is a resounding yes, and the reasons why might surprise you.

Despite the competition, eBay continues to be a powerhouse. As of the first quarter of 2025, the platform boasts 134 million active buyers and around 18 million sellers, with nearly 2 billion live listings at any given time. 

While its U.S. market share sits around 3.5%, eBay remains the second most-visited shopping site in the country, attracting a staggering 1.2 billion visits in a single month last year. 

What makes it truly unique is its model: eBay is a pure marketplace that doesn’t compete with its sellers. It’s a diverse ecosystem where new, used, vintage, and refurbished items all find a home, blending fixed-price sales with its classic auction format.  

For many entrepreneurs, selling on eBay offers the rare advantage of tapping into a huge audience without worrying about the platform becoming a direct competitor.

The pros and cons of selling on eBay

Before diving in, it’s important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks.

➕Benefits:

• Large and engaged audience: With 134 million buyers globally, you have access to a massive customer base. This audience often skews younger and is actively hunting for deals, creating strong demand for value-oriented and niche products. For anyone just starting, selling on eBay can be a low-barrier entry into ecommerce without having to build traffic from scratch.
• Lower costs & flexibility: Compared to Amazon’s mandatory monthly fees, eBay’s cost structure is more flexible. You can list up to 1,000 items for free, and the final value fees (typically 12.9-15%) are straightforward. This makes it an accessible platform for new sellers.
• Marketplace diversity: eBay is the undisputed king of used, refurbished, and collectible goods. The ability to use both “Buy It Now” and auction-style listings allows for creative and effective pricing strategies that aren’t possible on other platforms. Many sellers find that selling on eBay lets them experiment with pricing models before committing to one.
• Incredible global reach: eBay gives you the keys to a global market, with the ability to sell to customers in over 190 countries.

➖Drawbacks:

• Fierce competition: With millions of sellers, standing out requires effort. Maintaining high service standards and positive feedback is crucial to success.
• Fees can add up: While generally lower than competitors, final value fees and costs for promoted listings can impact your margins if not managed carefully.
• Logistics and customer service: Sellers are responsible for all aspects of fulfillment, including packaging, shipping, and handling returns. Meeting modern buyer expectations for speed and service requires a solid operational plan. For this reason, selling on eBay successfully often means having a strategy and ensuring efficient logistics from day one.

eBay vs. Amazon vs. Etsy: where do you fit?

Understanding the differences between the major platforms is key to choosing the right one for your business. 

Here’s a quick comparison:

Platform	Best For	Advantages	Challenges
eBay	Unique items, refurbished goods, niches (auto parts, collectibles)	Global audience, flexible formats, lower entry cost	High competition, complex fees, DIY fulfillment
Amazon	Mass-produced and branded products, high-volume new items	Huge customer base (Prime), FBA fulfillment option	Higher start-up costs, competition with Amazon
Etsy	Handmade, vintage, and creative/artisanal goods	Strong community focus, targeted buyer demographic	Niche market, limited scalability

For sellers considering selling on Amazon vs. eBay, the choice often comes down to product type and fulfillment preference. If you sell high-volume new products and want to outsource logistics, Amazon’s FBA might be a better fit. 

For those debating selling on Etsy vs. eBay, the distinction is clearer: if your products are artisanal, Etsy is your home. But for a vast range of other goods—especially second-hand items, collectibles, refurbished electronics, and auto parts—eBay offers a unique and powerful sales channel.

The biggest opportunities on eBay in 2025

Two high-growth verticals are creating massive opportunities for sellers right now:

1. Automotive parts & accessories:

eBay Motors generates over $10 billion in annual sales from parts and accessories alone. Three parts or accessories are purchased every second in the U.S. on the platform, making it the top category for both volume and revenue. DIY car owners and independent repair shops flock to eBay for affordable, reliable parts, from common items like brake kits to rare vintage trim pieces. By using eBay’s “Fitment” feature to guarantee compatibility and providing clear part numbers, sellers can tap into this incredibly lucrative market. For small garage businesses, selling on eBay can turn leftover inventory into a steady revenue stream.

2. Refurbished electronics & recommerce:

The “recommerce” trend is booming. The global market for refurbished electronics is projected to hit nearly $169 billion by 2029 , and the broader second-hand market is growing 4.4 times faster than traditional retail. Consumers are driven by a desire for good deals (78%), a need to offset inflation (58%), and a growing interest in sustainability. On eBay, this trend is front and center. Pre-loved and refurbished items already account for 40% of the platform’s gross merchandise value , and descriptions containing the word “thrifted” saw a 400% surge in growth last year. Sellers can capitalize on this by offering high-quality refurbished laptops, smartphones, video game consoles, and headphones. Highlighting participation in eBay’s Certified Refurbished program, which includes a two-year warranty, can build trust and command higher prices. For eco-conscious entrepreneurs, selling on eBay aligns with consumer demand for sustainable shopping.

Beyond the big two: other thriving categories

While automotive and refurbished goods are major growth drivers, other categories also present significant opportunities. Fashion remains a dominant space, with sneakers, jeans, and second-hand clothing performing consistently well. In beauty and health, items like makeup and skincare drive repeat purchases , while the market for watches, vintage jewelry, and other niche collectibles continues to expand.

How to start selling on eBay: a quick guide

1. Choose your niche: Research demand in a category like auto parts or refurbished electronics. Decide if you’ll operate under a personal or business account.
2. Set up your account: Register on eBay, link your payment information, and configure your shipping policies.
3. Create high-quality listings: Write clear, keyword-rich titles. Provide detailed descriptions, condition notes, and plenty of high-resolution photos.
4. Price competitively: Research similar sold items to set your “Buy It Now” price or auction starting bid.
5. Optimize shipping & service: Offer fast shipping whenever possible and respond to customer questions promptly.
6. Promote and scale: Use eBay’s Promoted Listings feature to increase visibility and analyze your performance in the Seller Hub.
7. Stay compliant: Keep up with eBay’s policies to maintain good seller metrics and work toward Top-Rated Seller status.

The verdict: is it worth it?

While sellers must navigate fierce competition and manage their own fulfillment, the access to millions of buyers, the relatively low startup costs, and the explosive growth in key verticals like automotive and recommerce make selling on eBay absolutely worth it in 2025. The platform’s unique position as a hub for value, niche goods, and sustainable shopping presents a powerful opportunity for new and established sellers alike.

Ready to seize these opportunities?

Discover how Linnworks can help you sell better on eBay.

• Avoid stockouts and prevent overstocking by syncing inventory across warehouse locations and sales channels.
• Streamline order management processes and track the status of all orders all the way through to fulfillment.
• Rule based assignment of shipping and fulfillment partners based on predefined and automated criteria.