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Selling on eBay -vs- Amazon Marketplace

happynutritionist by happynutritionist
Last updated: 02/23/2012

Is Selling on eBay Better than Amazon? Or is Selling on Amazon Better than eBay?

What things sell better on eBay? What things sell best on Amazon? These are questions that I ask myself and have tried to work through since I began selling online in 1999.

Sometimes I think I have it all figured out, then along comes a new feature on one service or the other. In the process I learned you can get addicted to shopping for things to resell if you're not careful, just ask my husband who patiently put up with all the storage space my boxes and bags took up. But through the experience I also learned my selling niche and narrowed my selling down to what I was most knowledgeable about and loved, vintage paper items of all kinds.

I'm going to share some things that I like about each service, and give you a chance to share why you may prefer one over the other, because I think there's a good chance we can learn about selling on eBay and Amazon from each other.



Image Credit

Claudia a/k/a happynutritionist
Updated 2/23/12

Do you Sell on eBay or Amazon?

Or Shop on eBay or Amazon?

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Selling on Amazon in the News

What does the Media have to say?

UK publishers' "concern" over Amazon e-book removals
The US IPG represents over 500 publishers and had 4443 digital titles selling on Amazon, which have now been removed after the group would not agree to give Amazon a lower discount when its contract came up for renewal.
How to Sell Your Excess Crap for Cash in Just a Few Hours with Amazon's ...
For these services you pay a small storage fee, $1 for shipping and handling, and the commission you'd pay for selling on Amazon in general. Although this service is really great, there are a few downsides you should be aware of: It's not great for ...
Skip McGrath Discusses Winning Tips for Selling on Amazon
By Ina Steiner Skip McGrath is an author and newsletter publisher who has been selling online since 1999, and he joined Ecommerce Industry SoundBytes to talk about his experience using Amazon's FBA fulfillment service. eBay is a high-touch marketplace ...
In Defense of Florist with Frozen Amazon Account
I wanted to comment on the Connecticut Florist that had her account frozen by Amazon as I do have sympathy for her because the same thing happened to me with Amazon and I had been selling on Amazon for over a year when it happened.
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Some Advantages to Selling on Amazon

Selling on Amazon Marketplace

When you sell on Amazon, the web page you go to to maintain anything related to your sales is called your Seller Central page. There you login using your username and password, and all the links you need appear right there...or register if you haven't already with Amazon. If you do anything on Amazon, the same username and password will work to log in to your "Seller Central" page if and when you register to sell.

I have been clearing some books from our shelves by selling them on Amazon Marketplace. The thing I LIKE is the fact that listing is free, a fee is taken if the item sells and once you list books and I assume other items (I only sell books), they stay listed and are available for sale indefinitely, until I remove them. So I list the books, and put them back on my shelf until they sell. Just the other day a book that I'd listed months ago sold and is on it's way to it's new home.

How Do Things I Sell Look on Amazon?

Search for any book and you'll see!

I have a relative that for all intents and purposes opened her own bookstore selling books on Amazon. She had a room with shelves of books she had listed on Amazon for sale. How would you know whether you are buying a book from a seller like her, or a new book?

Take a look at the following item. If you click through the link to look at the details, you'll find it available new directly from Amazon, or used....used books are the books sold by people like you and me. Sellers are very competitive with pricing if there are quite a few used books of the same title available, so you can get a good deal as a buyer if quite a few used titles are available.

Sellers can view their inventory from their "Sellers Central" page, and see a list of all the books they are selling. Next to each title are the prices you have the book listed for AND the lowest competitors price. You can change prices as needed by going down the list, then clicking the "update" button. You do have to know the condition of your competitors item, if it's condition is "fair" and yours is "excellent", you'll want to keep your price higher, because an excellent condition book is worth more, and more desirable to a buyer. You have to look closely at the descriptions regarding condition, whether you are a seller or buyer.
Amazon Top Seller Secrets: Insider Tips from Amazon's Most Successful Sellers

Amazon Top Seller Secrets: Insider Tips from Amazon's Most Successful Sellers

by: Brad Schepp, Debra Schepp

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How to Sell on Amazon Marketplace

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Learn how to sell on Amazon Marketplace from experts and those who are doing so through these videos.

How to Sell on Amazon
by Westknox4h | video info

42 ratings | 28,640 views
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Your Turn: I like selling of eBay because.. vs I like selling on Amazon because..

It's time to share so we can learn from each other

Please tell us why you like one over the other, it will be helpful to readers and to me as there are always new things to learn about selling on on Amazon and eBay.

Just start typing in the text box, and the options will appear.

Amazon or eBay? Which do you like best and why?

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I like selling on eBay best because...

Raymond Cascella says:

Communication is a key factor in sales , On amazon there is a big problem with comunication between seller and amazon.unless you agree blindly with amazon,you will find your site suspended and seller support won't tell you what's wrong,In fact they refuse to even answer an email.They reviewed my seller application shut me down and won;t respond it;s been 14 day's still no answer.sorry sorry way to run a business .Im now on ebay.

Posted December 12, 2011

wolfie10 says:

i'm still learning on how to sell on ebay. it all takes time just like it takes time here.

Posted October 15, 2011

hotbrain says:

I sell on both, but prefer Ebay because my listing can stand out as separate from others by using my own pictures, writing my own description, setting my own shipping price, etc. On Amazon, items are grouped together with less ability to make your own items stand out.

Posted May 15, 2011

crosscreations says:

I prefer the auction format on eBay for many items.

Posted January 24, 2011

happynutritionist says:

My primary online selling income comes from sales on eBay, and I like it for the reasons shared on this page. Amazon at this point is just a way to get rid of some books that would not do as well on eBay.

Posted January 24, 2011

I like selling on Amazon Marketplace best because...

sls450 says:

I love fulfillment by amazon. There is nothing worse than coming home from work to a long ship list. I still list clothing and used parts on eBay. In this bad economy, diversification is the key.

Posted November 04, 2011

lizziebeth says:

I guess I would have to say Amazon, because you don't have to relist so much. But I do occasionally still sell on Ebay.

Posted October 10, 2011

corteeze says:

I find Amazon so much easier to list a product, and prefer that you pay a commission only when sell something, no listing fees upfront.

Posted June 28, 2011

hayleylou says:

I have yet to try selling on Ebay on here. Will be getting around to that soon.

Posted January 25, 2011

GroovyFinds says:

The customer require less contact, sales are higher & over all fees are lower. It's all about the bottom line.

Posted January 24, 2011

 

Share a Link to Your eBay or Amazon Selling Page

Here's how to add the links

Click the "Add to this List" button under the list.

For eBay, if you have a store, add the link to your store. If you don't have a store (I don't), click on your eBay user-name and use the link to your "myworld" page which you can set up; OR click on the blue and red "me" next to your username, if you have set that page up, you can use that link. For example, my "myworld" url is http://myworld.ebay.com/claudias_corner_auctions and my "me" page url is a bit longer, http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=claudias_corner_auctions - if you know your user names, you can just copy and paste these and change the username to yours.

For Amazon Marketplace your url will be http://www.amazon.com/shops/your-store-username-here, for example, mine is http://www.amazon.com/shops/claudias_corner Again, you can "copy" and "paste" the url and just change the user name to yours...please check the link when you're done to make sure it works.

I'll start with my links, but don't have much if anything listed if you are here in January as the type of things I sell don't sell as well around the holidays. I will begin listing again in February, 2011.

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http://stores.shop.ebay.com/House-of-Sylvestermouse

I specialize in Craft Kits, Books, Patterns and Su more...1 point

Selling on eBay in the News

What does the media have to say?

Jeremy Lin Rookie Card Hits $17000 on eBay; Bid May Double by Tomorrow
By Jason Van Hoven: Subscribe to Jason's RSS feed Jeremy Lin jerseys are the top-selling jerseys in the NBA right now, but no other Lin product seems to be as popular as Lin basketball cards, particularly one that is selling on eBay right now for just ...
Woman Pleads Guilty To Stealing Library Books Then Selling On eBay
VISTA, Calif. (AP) ? A San Diego County woman has pleaded guilty to stealing about 2000 library books and DVDs to resell on the Amazon website. City News Service says 45-year-old Maria Nater of Vista entered a plea Tuesday to felony burglary.
How can eBay UK grow users and sales?
Currently they are succeeding, but this task will become harder and harder in the future and ultimately cross border trade offers the biggest potential to keep online traders happily selling on eBay.
Wake libraries closed Friday
Crissy Jeckel, a Raleigh mom of three and owner of Blueberry Hill Boutique, an eBay store, offers tips on selling on eBay. The indoor place space for kids includes an inflatable, an area just for toddlers, an air hockey table and more.
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The Advantages of Selling on eBay

Variety is the Spice of Life

eBay's biggest selling advantage, aside from their name recognition, is the variety of items that you can sell and how the categories are set up. There are so many categories and sub-categories that it's "easy" (once you get used to it) to list just about anything you can think of.

Once sold, you can have your account set up so that emails are sent to your buyers requesting payment, which is done through PayPal...also owned by eBay, even though it is accepted as payment all over the web. You can print out shipping labels through your sellers page on eBay, and, unless you like going to the post office, can put a certain number of packages out for your mail carrier to take for you. I sell small items, so can mail everything right from home. That's a great improvement from when I first started 12 years ago and had to bring all my packages to the post office.

I my way of thinking, when it comes to selling, even though Amazon sells everything, Amazon has always been more of a book selling site, and eBay an "everything" site. You can disagree in the discussion section of the page if you like.

HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE CATEGORIES ON EBAY
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Old Photos (Above) Vintage Letters (Below)

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How to Sell on eBay

Video

Learn how to sell on eBay by the experts, or those who are doing so, through these videos.

How to Sell on Ebay
by lockergnome | video info

539 ratings | 215,703 views
automatically generated by YouTube

pssst...this is another place I like to sell...just getting started here...shhhh

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  • Reply
    gemjane Dec 25, 2011 @ 1:26 pm | delete
    good thoughts on selling on ebay and amazon.
  • Reply
    firas_ad Dec 17, 2011 @ 9:38 pm | delete
    Very informative lens , I think Amazon is better.
  • Reply
    madinvestment Oct 31, 2011 @ 11:42 am | delete
    WOW! Thanks for sharing your ideas and tips with the squid community. This is a fantastic lens! Keep up the great work.

    One big thumbs up vote given for this lens.
  • Reply
    lizziebeth Oct 10, 2011 @ 5:43 pm | delete
    Thanks for a fun and thoughtful lens. I enjoyed it!
  • Reply
    adamfrench Oct 8, 2011 @ 6:07 pm | delete
    Impressive lens, thumbs up
  • Reply
    teriann Aug 18, 2011 @ 12:58 pm | delete
    Oh my goodness, I found this just at the right time. I am just now beginning to look at selling on both. tried e-bay once but wasn't happy. This has given me new hope. Thanks for sharing.
  • Reply
    mismatch Jun 24, 2011 @ 4:14 pm | delete
    This lens about selling on eBay vs selling on Amazon is very informative -- helpful for lensmasters. Thank you for sharing.
  • Reply
    happynutritionist Jul 11, 2011 @ 2:56 pm | delete
    I'm glad you found it helpful...I'm always watching auctions to see how they end and waiting to see if I get paid...which I almost always do...eventually. Summer is a slower season.
  • Reply
    hotbrain May 15, 2011 @ 11:51 pm | delete
    Great page! Lensrolled to my pages on selling on Ebay & Amazon.
  • Reply
    happynutritionist Jul 11, 2011 @ 2:56 pm | delete
    You could add links to the plexo above if you like, since there are no "lensrolls" anymore:-)
  • Reply
    WindyWinters Jan 27, 2011 @ 2:33 pm | delete
    I sell my kid's used textbooks on Amazon and old souvenirs on eBay. Unfortunately, due to our strict city bylaws were are not allowed to resell for the purpose of reselling or sell new inventory. Of note, we are not allowed to go to garage sales or vintage stores and then resell or by on eBay or resell. Oh, Canada! LOL. I wish I lived in the country or outskirts of town. Oops, getting back to your question. My experience with these two sites has been quite positive but I then have only had experience selling my own personal stuff.
  • Reply
    happynutritionist Jan 27, 2011 @ 8:20 pm | delete
    Oh my, I can't imagine not being able to seek out things for the purpose of reselling, those are strict rules, I don't think we have any like that here. The way we pay taxes on things we sell is the biggest thing to keep track of for us...ie if you sell things around the house to get rid of them, not as a business, don't necessarily have to pay them, but if you sell as a business plus sell things around the house, and reach the required amount to claim your sales, you do have to pay for anything you sell...personal or purchased. Thanks for stopping by:-)
  • Reply
    CitiesChick Jan 26, 2011 @ 4:46 pm | delete
    I think I live under a rock! :) I didn't know about selling on Amazon, thank you for the information! I will have to look into this.
  • Reply
    happynutritionist Jan 27, 2011 @ 8:17 pm | delete
    Well it's nice to be part of a person learning something new...I think most people think of Amazon as a shopping site more than they do a selling site:-) I'm going to be looking into Amazon more as an option to sell things myself, it's been a few years since I tried to sell anything other than books and they've come a long way since then. Thanks for your visit.
  • Reply
    hayleylou Jan 25, 2011 @ 12:56 am | delete
    Forgot to mention **Blessed** and featured on My Time as a Squid Angel :)
  • Reply
    happynutritionist Jan 25, 2011 @ 10:08 pm | delete
    Thank you for your comment below and blessing above:-) Both are so much appreciated. I do hope you'll give eBay or Amazon Marketplace a try, if it is your niche and you aren't already doing well with what you're doing...I am learning it's hard to divide yourself in too many directions, but I do it, can only do one thing for so long:-) Thanks again.
  • Reply
    hayleylou Jan 25, 2011 @ 12:54 am | delete
    Great info here and debate. I really need to get around to the Ebay side of things.
  • Reply
    aishu19 Jan 24, 2011 @ 4:14 pm | delete
    I have never sold anythin on Amazon or eBay before... but this is an interesting discussion to see which is the better option
  • Reply
    happynutritionist Jan 24, 2011 @ 6:07 pm | delete
    Thank you Aysha...there is only so much a person can do. I am going to be starting up again in February with my eBay sales, and looking into the possibility of adding more things to Amazon.
  • Reply
    crosscreations Jan 24, 2011 @ 12:55 pm | delete
    Excellent lens! I've also sold on both and find amazon to be cheaper and less complicated, however sometimes I really need that eBay auction format for rare collectible items. Once I sold some figurines on eBay and got around $700 EACH! Even though they were signed by the artist and numbered, I'd have lost out if I just guessed at their value and put a flat price on them.
  • Reply
    happynutritionist Jan 24, 2011 @ 1:13 pm | delete
    Thank you:-) Have you sold things other than books on Amazon? I am wondering how well people do who sell items other than books. I am thinking of experimenting a bit with that...but agree, when you aren't sure about a value, the bidding system on eBay is better...I also search for items like that on eBay to see how they have sold before, see what category the good sellers were in, etc. A good way to learn is viewing what others do. Thanks again for stopping by.
  • Reply
    Sylvestermouse Jan 24, 2011 @ 8:08 am | delete
    Although I have definitely considered it, I haven't listed anything on Amazon. I have been selling on Ebay for a decade now. In the last 2 or 3 years, I have become somewhat unhappy there. Like so many others, they started off and were a really good thing, but now their fees are way too high and they require payment through paypal. (I have been told by Ebay customer service, that if the customer asks, a seller can accept money orders as payment) I think both buyers and sellers have become disheartened with Ebay. It is a shame.

    This should shape up to be a very interesting debate. I will personally be interested in seeing what others have to say.
  • Reply
    happynutritionist Jan 24, 2011 @ 1:17 pm | delete
    I think eBay has a real advantage for the kind of thing you sell, but that's just MHO. I love the free listing days they offer and do not have a store, for me that would cost more than it is worth. I understand they are trying to shift the emphasis more toward the auction style listings. I guess you could get more buyers if people could pay any way, but the turnaround advantage of PayPal is helpful to me...but that's just me, everyone has their preferences. Thanks for adding your ebay link to the list above.
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Table of Contents

  1. Do you Sell on eBay or Amazon?
  2. Selling on Amazon in the News
  3. Some Advantages to Selling on Amazon
  4. How Do Things I Sell Look on Amazon?
  5. How to Sell on Amazon Marketplace
  6. What People are Saying About Selling on Amazon.com
  7. Your Turn: I like selling of eBay because.. vs I like selling on Amazon because..
  8. Share a Link to Your eBay or Amazon Selling Page
  9. Selling on eBay in the News
  10. The Advantages of Selling on eBay
  11. Old Photos (Above) Vintage Letters (Below)
  14. How to Sell on eBay
  15. What People are Saying about Selling on EBAY
  16. pssst...this is another place I like to sell...just getting started here...shhhh
  17. This is a Squid Angel Blessed Page
  18. % Donated to Food for Everyone
  19. Did you enjoy your visit?
  20. Say Hello or Share More Thoughts
  22. Random unrelated lenses you might like
  23. Follow Me on Twitter

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happynutritionist

I have been selling on ebay since 1999, and selling on Amazon since you were able to do so, and both have their advantages and disadvantages.
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