Our picks at a glance
eBayUseful when buyers search by specifics
MercariA general marketplace for shippable items
PoshmarkCompare closet items by net proceeds
DepopA clearer fashion point of view
ThredUpLess work, less control
EtsyOnly when the item fits its rules
Swappa, Back Market and GazelleCompare electronics routes- Apple Trade InConvenient credit, not necessarily cash
- Local pickupOften practical for bulky goods
Jump to any pick for the full assessment, costs and conditions.
Match the item to the selling model
| Place | Strongest use case | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | Searchable collectibles, equipment and varied used goods | Listing, packing, fees and customer service |
| Mercari | Shippable household and personal items | Seller fees, shipping and order requirements |
| Poshmark | Clothing and accessories suited to its audience | Fee structure can weigh heavily on low prices |
| Depop | Fashion with a clear style or audience | Photography, descriptions and region-specific charges |
| ThredUp | Eligible clothing when convenience matters | Less control over acceptance, pricing and payout |
| Etsy | Eligible vintage items, handmade goods and original designs | Creativity rules and several potential fees |
| Swappa | Eligible functional technology | Condition rules and listing approval |
| Back Market BuyBack | Supported electronics sold to a professional buyer | Inspection can affect the quote |
| Gazelle | Supported devices with a straightforward quote process | Convenience can cost potential resale value |
| Apple Trade In | Credit toward Apple products or an Apple Gift Card | Credit is not unrestricted cash |
| A local pickup sale | Furniture, bulky goods and low-value bundles | Finding a buyer, payment and meeting logistics |
This is a fit-based shortlist, not a claim that one service always pays more. We compared the selling model, suitable items, work required and current official rules. No hypothetical price in this guide represents a purchase offer or our tested sale result.
eBay: useful when buyers search by specifics
eBay is a strong candidate when the item's model, edition, brand or collectible characteristics matter. A buyer searching for a particular replacement part is different from someone casually browsing nearby household items.
Create a listing around verifiable details: exact model, dimensions, included accessories, condition and clear photos. Compare sold items with similar condition rather than copying the most ambitious active asking price.
eBay's official fee guidance explains insertion and final-value fees, with variations by category and other circumstances. Check the fee calculation for your listing before choosing a minimum acceptable price.
The cost is seller work. You may need packaging, tracking, responses to questions and a plan for returns or disputes. A fragile $18 item can be a poor candidate if packing materials and time absorb the proceeds.
Mercari: a general marketplace for shippable items
Mercari is another candidate for ordinary used goods that can be described and shipped accurately. Think about size and weight early. A small object may be cheap to store but expensive to ship if it requires a large protective box.
Its current seller-fee page states a 10% selling fee on the item price and buyer-paid shipping. Buyer-side fees are separate from the seller's calculation and may influence the buyer's total cost.
For a hypothetical $40 item with $8 buyer-paid shipping, 10% of the $48 fee base is $4.80. That is not your complete net calculation: shipping labels, packaging, any discounts and other applicable charges still need attention.
Use the platform's current listing preview rather than relying on an old fee screenshot.
Poshmark: compare closet items by net proceeds
Poshmark is worth considering for clothing and accessories that fit its audience. Bundling related items may make more sense than listing many inexpensive pieces individually, especially when buyer shipping costs would dwarf a single item's value.
The current U.S. fee policy states $2.95 for sales under $15 and 20% for sales of $15 or more. On a hypothetical $12 sale, $2.95 is almost a quarter of the selling price before other seller costs. On a $40 sale, the 20% fee is $8.
That does not make low-priced sales automatically wrong. It makes the net calculation important. Read our clothing resale comparison before deciding what deserves an individual listing.
Depop: a clearer fashion point of view
Depop is a candidate for sellers who can describe a garment's style, fit and condition clearly. A recognizable aesthetic can help a listing make sense, but styling does not justify hiding wear or inventing a brand.
Current fee treatment depends on country and transaction details. A headline about no selling fee does not eliminate payment-processing charges or optional promotional costs. Check your region's current schedule.
Photograph the actual garment, include useful measurements and disclose alterations. Avoid letting an attractive photo imply that accessories or other garments are included when they are not.
ThredUp: less work, less control
ThredUp's clean-out model asks you to send eligible items for the company to evaluate and manage. It can reduce the work of photographing, listing and communicating about each garment.
The trade-off is control. Not every item is accepted or eligible for a payout, and service charges, return options and promotional terms affect the outcome. Do not treat sending a bag as a guaranteed sale.
Read the current clean-out terms for your items, especially exclusions and what happens to pieces that do not sell. This model may suit a closet clear-out better than a seller trying to maximize the return on one unusually valuable piece.
Etsy: only when the item fits its rules
Etsy is not a catch-all destination for anything used. Its Creativity Standards distinguish items made, designed, handpicked or sourced by sellers, subject to detailed rules. Eligible vintage goods generally must be at least 20 years old.
Handmade work and original digital designs can fit, but simply buying ordinary new retail goods and calling them handmade does not. Read the rules before spending time on a shop.
Etsy charges listing and transaction fees, with payment processing and other possible charges. Our guides to handmade products and digital products address those different workflows.
Swappa, Back Market and Gazelle: compare electronics routes
Swappa's marketplace emphasizes eligible functional devices and listing review. It can suit a seller willing to prepare an accurate listing and complete a buyer transaction.
Back Market BuyBack and Gazelle use quote-and-inspection models for supported devices. A quote based on excellent condition is not a guaranteed payment if inspection finds a different condition. Compare what happens if an offer changes, including return arrangements.
Before choosing, record model, storage, carrier restrictions, battery condition where relevant and known defects. Back up your information and follow the device maker's account-removal and reset instructions. Read where to sell used electronics for the fuller checklist.
Apple Trade In: convenient credit, not necessarily cash
Apple's program can offer eligible trade-in credit toward a purchase or an Apple Gift Card, with recycling options for devices without credit. That can be useful if you already plan to buy there.
It is less useful if you need money for rent or another expense that cannot be paid with store credit. Compare the actual value to you, not simply the face amount.
Avoid buying a new device merely because the trade-in makes the checkout price look smaller. Your total spending still matters.
Local pickup: often practical for bulky goods
Furniture, exercise equipment and inexpensive bundles can be better suited to a local sale because shipping is impractical. Choose a marketplace or community channel whose current rules allow the item.
List dimensions, pickup constraints, condition and what the buyer must bring. Agree the price before arranging the handoff, and verify payment through the actual payment service rather than a screenshot.
For large items, selling used furniture explains how to make pickup and condition expectations clear. The FTC warns sellers about fake payment notices, overpayments and verification-code requests.
Compare three possible outcomes
Suppose a hypothetical item has three options:
| Route | Gross value | Direct selling costs | Net value before tax and time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shipped marketplace sale | $100 | $24 | $76 cash |
| Local pickup | $80 | $3 | $77 cash |
| Trade-in | $85 credit | $0 assumed | $85 restricted credit |
The highest headline value does not answer which is best. A $77 local sale may beat a $76 shipped sale on both cash and effort. The $85 credit may be useful only if it replaces spending you already planned.
Use selling fees and shipping costs to build your own comparison. Include acquisition cost if you bought the item to resell.
FAQs
Where can I sell things fastest?
A ready local buyer or an existing firm quote can be faster than waiting for a marketplace sale, but none is guaranteed. Shipping, inspection and payment processing can add time.
Should I list on several sites?
Only if you can comply with each site's rules and remove a unique item promptly when it sells. Double-selling creates cancellations and unhappy buyers.
Is free listing the same as free selling?
No. Transaction fees, processing charges, promotions, shipping and refunds can still apply.
Should I clean or repair an item first?
Clean it appropriately and disclose defects. Calculate whether a paid repair is likely to increase net proceeds enough to justify the cost, and do not attempt unsafe repairs.
Do I owe tax on selling my own things?
Tax treatment depends on whether you have a gain, a personal loss or business activity. IRS guidance distinguishes personal-item sales from business income; payment reporting forms do not determine the tax result on their own.
Sources and research notes
- eBay selling fees
- Mercari fees
- Poshmark fee policy
- Depop selling overview
- ThredUp Clean Out
- Etsy Creativity Standards
- Etsy selling fees
- Swappa selling requirements
- Back Market trade-in process
- Gazelle trade-in process
- Apple Trade In
- FTC online-selling scam guidance
- IRS Form 1099-K guidance
- IRS Publication 334: small business tax guide
Source pages checked October 30, 2026. Worked examples are hypothetical; they are not observed earnings or guarantees.