eBay - the practical guide.

eBay is one of the original online marketplaces, launched in 1995, and remains a global force across collectibles, refurbished electronics, parts, fashion and long-tail inventory. It supports both auction and fixed-price listings, with seller tools for stores, promotions and managed payments. For many sellers it's a meaningful complement to Shopify and Amazon.

Sellers of refurbished electronics, vintage and collectibles, auto parts, sneakers, watches, cameras and any inventory where a global enthusiast audience matters. Useful for clearing returns and B-stock. Less central for brand-new mass-market consumer brands where Amazon dominates.

Free listings within monthly allowances, then a small insertion fee per listing. Final value fees typically 12-15% of total transaction (including shipping), capped on high-value items. eBay Stores subscriptions ($5-300/month) lower listing and final value fees and add storefront features.

Right for collectibles, refurbished, parts, vintage and long-tail inventory; great for international reach across categories Amazon doesn't dominate. Wrong fit as your primary brand storefront, or when you need full control of branding and customer experience.

Buyer protection skews heavily toward buyers - account for return abuse in margins. Counterfeit and authenticity issues require active management in fashion and collectibles. Listing optimisation matters as much as on Amazon - title, photos and shipping speed drive ranking. Managed Payments holds funds for new sellers.