Facebook Marketplace vs eBay
Australian Seller's Guide
Complete comparison of Facebook Marketplace and eBay for Australian sellers. Discover which platform suits your products, understand local vs global selling strategies, and learn how to maximise profits on both.
Choose Facebook Marketplace for:
- Local sales and pickup (avoid shipping)
- Zero selling fees (keep 97%+ of sale price)
- Bulky items (furniture, appliances)
- Quick decluttering and one-off sales
- Building local community connections
Choose eBay for:
- Global reach and international sales
- Small, easily shippable items
- Building a serious selling business
- GST compliance and reporting
- Collectibles and niche products
Detailed Platform Comparison
Fees & Costs
| Aspect | Facebook Marketplace | eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Selling Fees | 0% (completely free) | 10-15% of sale price |
| Payment Processing | 2.9% + $0.30 AUD (via Facebook Pay) | 2.9% + $0.30 AUD |
| Listing Fees | Always free | Free for 200+ listings/month |
| Total Cost ($100 AUD sale) | $2.90 AUD (payment only) | $15.80-18.80 AUD |
| Promotional Features | Boost posts for $5-20 AUD | Promoted listings 2-12% |
Reach & Audience
| Aspect | Facebook Marketplace | eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic Reach | Local/regional focus | Global marketplace |
| Australian User Base | 15+ million active users | 9+ million active users |
| Shipping Requirements | Often local pickup/delivery | Shipping expected/required |
| Discovery Method | Location-based browsing | Search-driven + category browsing |
| International Sales | Very limited | Strong international reach |
Australian Market Considerations
| Australian Factor | Facebook Marketplace | eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Local Market Knowledge | Deep local community integration | Strong Australian presence |
| GST Compliance | Manual tracking required | Automatic GST handling |
| Shipping Integration | No shipping integration | Australia Post integration |
| Customer Support | Limited seller support | Dedicated Australian support |
| Payment Methods | Cash, bank transfer, Facebook Pay | PayPal, cards, BPAY, bank transfer |
Facebook Marketplace Advantages
- Zero selling fees means you keep 97%+ of sale price
- Massive local audience (15+ million Australians)
- Easy communication through familiar Messenger
- Great for local pickup and avoiding shipping costs
- Simple listing process with phone photos
- Strong local community trust and verification
- Excellent for bulky items that are expensive to ship
- Quick sales through local demand
- No complex seller requirements or restrictions
- Perfect for one-off sales and decluttering
eBay Advantages
- Global reach brings more potential buyers
- Professional selling tools and analytics
- Auction format can drive higher prices
- Established buyer protection and trust systems
- Superior GST handling and business compliance
- Comprehensive shipping options and integration
- Advanced listing optimisation tools
- Better for building a serious selling business
- Strong search functionality helps buyers find items
- Excellent for collectibles and niche items
Best Products for Each Platform
Best for Facebook Marketplace
- Large, bulky items (furniture, appliances, cars)
- Local services and experiences
- Items that benefit from local pickup
- Quick decluttering and garage sale items
- Building local community connections
- Avoiding shipping hassles and costs
- One-off or occasional selling
- Items under $200 AUD
Best for eBay
- Small, shippable items
- Collectibles and niche products
- International selling opportunities
- Building a serious selling business
- Items requiring detailed descriptions
- Higher-value items ($200+ AUD)
- Products needing auction format
- GST-registered business selling
Platform-Specific Selling Strategies
Facebook Marketplace Success Tips
- Take high-quality photos with natural lighting
- Write clear, honest descriptions with local references
- Price competitively based on local market research
- Respond quickly to messages (within 1-2 hours)
- Offer flexible pickup times and locations
- Build trust through complete Facebook profile
- Use local Facebook groups for additional exposure
- Consider delivery for higher-value items
eBay Success Tips
- Optimize titles with relevant keywords
- Use professional photos and detailed descriptions
- Research completed listings for pricing
- Offer fast, tracked shipping options
- Maintain excellent seller feedback ratings
- Use promoted listings for competitive categories
- Provide comprehensive item condition details
- Leverage international shipping for global reach
Maximise Your Reach - Sell on Both Platforms
Smart Australian sellers use both Facebook Marketplace and eBay strategically. Local sales on Facebook, global reach on eBay. Shopfront makes it easy to manage both platforms efficiently.