eBay vs Etsy for vintage: fees, buyers, what sells where
Both marketplaces sell a lot of vintage, but they aren't interchangeable. They allow different things, charge differently and attract different shoppers. Here's how they compare for someone selling estate and vintage finds, with fees worked through on the same sale.
At a glance
| eBay | Etsy | |
|---|---|---|
| What you can resell | Almost anything, any age | Vintage items at least 20 years old, and craft supplies |
| Formats | Fixed price or auction | Fixed price |
| Listing fee | 250 free listings a month, then $0.35 | $0.20 per listing, renewed every 4 months |
| Fee when it sells | 13.6% of the total in most categories, plus $0.40 per order | 6.5% transaction fee, plus 3% + $0.25 payment processing (US) |
| Advertising fee | Optional (promoted listings) | 15% on sales from Offsite Ads (12% for shops over $10,000 a year) |
| Titles | Up to 80 characters | Longer titles, plus up to 13 tags |
What each marketplace allows
eBay lets you sell nearly anything you own, new or used, from any decade. Etsy only allows resale of vintage items, meaning at least 20 years old, and craft supplies. A 1990s lamp is fine on Etsy; a 2015 one isn't, however retro it looks. Our guide to Etsy's 20-year rule covers how to date an item.
That makes the choice simple for newer items: they go on eBay. For anything 20 years or older, you can choose, or list on both.
Fees on the same sale
Take a vintage vase that sells for $50, with $10 shipping charged to the buyer and $4.80 of sales tax (8%), from a US seller with no store subscription:
| eBay | Etsy | Etsy, sale from Offsite Ads | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listing fee | $0.00 (within the free 250) | $0.20 | $0.20 |
| Sale fee | $8.81 (13.6% of $64.80) | $3.90 (6.5% of $60) | $3.90 |
| Per-order or processing fee | $0.40 | $2.19 (3% of $64.80 + $0.25) | $2.19 |
| Advertising fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | $9.00 (15% of $60) |
| Total fees | $9.21 | $6.29 | $15.29 |
On an ordinary sale Etsy usually costs less. A sale that comes through Etsy's Offsite Ads costs more than eBay. Shops under $10,000 a year in sales can opt out of Offsite Ads; above that they're required, at 12%.
Both marketplaces charge their fees on the shipping you collect too. eBay's fee and Etsy's processing fee also include sales tax; for US sellers, Etsy's transaction and Offsite Ads fees don't. eBay also charges more for books, music and movies (15.3%) and jewelry (15% up to $5,000), and adds 6% for sellers rated Below Standard. Rates change, so check each fee page before you rely on these numbers.
Who shops on each
eBay buyers tend to search for a specific thing: a maker, a model, a pattern, a part. They compare prices closely and many know exactly what an item is worth. Auctions let collectors bid up something rare.
Etsy shoppers tend to browse for a look or a gift: mid-century, cottagecore, a statement lamp, a present for someone who likes old things. Good photos and a sense of style matter more, and buyers are often less focused on the lowest price.
What tends to sell where
| Often better on eBay | Often better on Etsy |
|---|---|
| Collectibles bought by name (coins, cards, toys, figurines) | Decor with a strong look (mid-century, art deco, boho) |
| Parts, tools, cameras, electronics | Vintage clothing and accessories |
| Anything under 20 years old | Kitchenware and tableware chosen for style |
| Rare items worth auctioning | Prints, frames and small art |
| Bulk lots and "for parts" items | Gift-friendly small pieces |
These are tendencies, not rules. Check sold listings on both before deciding. If an item has sold on both recently, list it on both.
Listing differences that matter
- Titles: eBay's 80 characters reward exact names (maker, model, size). Etsy allows longer titles and adds 13 tags for style words and occasions
- Details: eBay asks for item specifics by category and a condition. Etsy asks when the item was made, from a list of periods
- Format: eBay offers auctions and Best Offer. Etsy is fixed price, with sales and coupons
- Listing length: eBay fixed-price listings renew monthly; Etsy listings last four months and renew for another $0.20
Why not both?
For items old enough for Etsy, listing on both reaches both kinds of buyer. The risk is selling the same item twice, which both marketplaces penalize. Our guide to cross-listing on eBay and Etsy covers how to set that up safely.
Where LegacyList fits
LegacyList drafts each item's listing from your photos with an eBay category and, if your Etsy shop is connected, an Etsy category and the period it was made. It checks each item's estimated age against Etsy's vintage rule. You can publish to either marketplace or both, and when an item sells on one, LegacyList ends it on the other and records the sale and its fees.