I sell on both eBay and Amazon. I've sold over 100,000 items across both platforms. People always ask me which one is better and the honest answer is: it depends on what you're selling and how you want to sell it.
Let me break it down.
Fees
eBay charges around 13% in total fees on most categories. That includes the final value fee and payment processing. It's straightforward and predictable.
Amazon's fee structure is more complex. You're looking at referral fees (usually 15%), plus FBA fees if you use Fulfilment by Amazon, plus a monthly subscription fee for a professional account. The total cost per sale is almost always higher than eBay.
Winner: eBay. Lower fees mean more profit per item.
Speed of Sale
Amazon items tend to sell faster. Amazon has massive buyer traffic and if you're listing against an existing product page, buyers find your item quickly. eBay can be slower for some categories but faster for others, especially unique or used items.
Winner: Amazon for new branded goods. eBay for used, unique or one-off items.
Ease of Listing
eBay lets you create custom listings with your own photos and descriptions. This takes more time but gives you control. Amazon often matches you to an existing product page so listing can be quicker, but you have less control over how your item appears.
For reselling returns and liquidation stock, eBay is much easier because every item is different and needs its own description.
Winner: eBay for reselling. Amazon for new identical products.
Returns
Both platforms have buyer-friendly return policies. Amazon is slightly more aggressive about it. Buyers can return items easily and Amazon often sides with the buyer in disputes. eBay has improved its seller protections over the years and I find disputes are easier to manage.
Winner: eBay. Slightly better for sellers.
Audience
Amazon has more total buyers. That's just a fact. But eBay's audience is specifically looking for deals, used items and unique finds. For the kind of stock I deal in (Amazon returns, liquidation, mystery items), eBay buyers are a better match.
Winner: Depends on your product.
My Verdict
I use both but eBay is my primary platform. The fees are lower, the listing flexibility is better for reselling and eBay Live has added a whole new dimension to my business. Amazon is great for shifting branded new-in-box items quickly.
If you're just starting out, I'd recommend eBay first. Get comfortable with listing, selling and shipping. Then expand to Amazon once you understand your stock and margins.