Do you have old gadgets or items that you no longer use?
Did you know that you can turn those unused items into cash?
eBay and Craigslist are two online selling platforms that allow you to sell stuff you no longer use and make money. It is a great way to de-clutter your home and make money.
But before you sell online, you must know which e-commerce platform is the best, as it can help optimize your sales of these items.
While these two online marketplaces look the same, they have distinct differences you must consider to boost your online sales.
I will discuss the most critical factors in choosing between eBay vs Craigslist so you can pick the best platform to sell stuff online.
To make the most out of whichever platform you choose, tools like ZIK’s eBay competitor research tool can give you an edge by showing what similar sellers are listing, how they price items, and which categories are most active. This helps you list smarter instead of guessing.
Let’s get started so you can start making money!
Why Sell Online on eBay?
If you have any old or rare items you think other people would want to buy, you can earn extra money by selling them on eBay, one of the world’s biggest e commerce sites.
Many small businesses have succeeded when selling online via eBay because of the popularity of the e commerce platform.
eBay offers several benefits to sellers who want to enjoy great success online with this marketplace.
1. Larger Audience
The massive user base of eBay is one of its most significant advantages over other sites where you can sell stuff. And yet, the eBay user base continues to grow rapidly.
The best part is that most of its users are active, so you have higher exposure for your items, increasing your chances of making a sale.
2. Specialized Categories
eBay offers several categories where you can list your items for sale online. They have categories for larger items like furniture and rare and collectible items.
You can tailor your detailed descriptions on your listings to attract potential buyers looking for unique items to buy from the e commerce platform.
3. Bidding and Auction
There are several ways for your buyers to pay for the items you sell online through eBay. Among the unique features of eBay is the opportunity to join auction listings and bid for the items you are selling.
This dynamic selling landscape could potentially drive up the listing price for the item, especially if more buyers are interested in the product. And higher prices translate to higher profits!
4. Buyer Protection
eBay also offers its sellers a comprehensive buyer protection policy. It ensures you can give confidence to your buyers when they shop from these e-commerce sites.
Therefore, buyers’ confidence in the platform is beneficial for sellers since they can finalize a transaction since they trust the platform.
5. Ease of Listing
It’s easy to list items for sale online through eBay. It offers a user-friendly interface and a simplified listing process.
Therefore, you can easily optimize your listings and create detailed descriptions that target certain keywords. You can also add high-quality images to make your listings stand out and generate more sales.
There are selling tools that enable you to calculate shipping costs and determine your profit margin for each product, allowing you to set the most competitive price.
Click to download your free eBook and jumpstart eBay dropshipping todayWhy Sell Online on Craigslist?
Most people looking for used items to buy locally turn to Craigslist. If you’re not into holding garage sales, you can make sales from sold items.
Listing your items online enable more people in your local area to find these items and buy them from you.
Here are some benefits when you choose to sell online through Craigslist.
1. Local Audience Reach
Craigslist is an ecommerce site that specializes in the local area and community. It connects buyers and sellers in a particular area, making engaging in a sale transaction easy.
Both parties can agree on a price and how they would like to ship or meet up to purchase the items.
Access to face-to-face transactions is beneficial, especially with the prevalence of fraud sellers. Knowing you can see the item before you decide to buy (and pay for) gives you confidence.
2. Free
Yes, listing on Craigslist is free. Unlike eBay, when you have to pay for listing products that exceed the allowed number of items for a free personal account, you don’t have to pay any fees or commissions when selling on Craigslist.
It is highly beneficial for sellers who want to make extra money from any unused items at home because you can keep all the profits to yourself.
The listing process of the items is also simplified, so you can get started selling even if you are new to Craigslist.
3. Faster Transaction
Since Craiglist is targeted locally, you can ensure faster transactions once you find a buyer for your items. Depending on your schedule, you can agree to meet up on the same or next day.
There is no need to wait several days to ship the items to your buyer and wait a few more days before the amount is credited to your account.
With Craigslist, you can get the money for the item once the buyer agrees to pay for it. The website does not take final value fees and other charges from your earnings.
4. Flexible Pricing
Craigslist also gives you the freedom to set your price for the item, depending on what you think is reasonable for the value of the item and the demand for it.
You can even negotiate with buyers if they express interest in what you are selling. The flexibility in the pricing gives you more wiggle room to stay competitive and maximize the demand for a certain product.
5. Building a Sense of Community
Selling on Craigslist is like holding virtual garage sales. It allows you to meet people in your local community and build rapport with them. In a highly digital world, it is refreshing to have the chance to meet buyers personally, and that’s something that you won’t get to experience when you sell on eBay.
6. Environmental Benefits
The biggest advantage when selling through Craigslist is that you can recycle used items and use them through the new owners. Instead of throwing old furniture or clothes, you can make extra money and reduce waste. It is a win-win situation for the Craigslist sellers.
How are Craigslist and eBay Different? Craigslist vs eBay?
There are lots of similarities when selling on Craigslist vs eBay. But let’s inspect the differences for each selling platform to help you decide the right one to use to make money online.
Fees
Craigslist does not require paying any fees to sell through their site. It is advantageous if you want to sell locally and maximize your profits. However, eBay has a larger user base, so you can make more sales and list more items.
Listing Format
The listing format on Craigslist is straightforward and uses a simple text-based ad. On the other hand, eBay listings are more visually appealing, with more eye-catching images and descriptions.
Reach
Craigslist sellers can target local buyers, whereas eBay sellers have a worldwide reach.
Buyer Protection
eBay has buyer protection policies that give customers more confidence and trust when buying through the platform. On the other hand, Craigslist does not offer the same protection, making it more risky for buyers to transact with Craigslist sellers.
Craigslist vs eBay: Which e-Commerce Platform is the Best?
As a seller, picking the right platform between Craigslist and eBay is about finding the right audience. You can make extra income from the right site by matching it correctly with the audience.
If you want to target a smaller local market, choose Craigslist over other platforms. eBay is the best choice to reach a wider audience and find more buyers.
Discover What Sells Best on eBay Before You List
Selling on Craigslist is fast, but what if your item could fetch more on eBay? Use the eBay product research tool to see what similar items are selling for, how much demand they have, and how competitive the space is. Get real data before you decide where to list—maximize profit, not just convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions on eBay vs Craigslist
Here are some frequently asked questions on eBay vs Craigslist:
Does anyone still use Craigslist?
Yes, many people still use Craigslist. It gets around 130-250 million visits per month, mostly in the US. It remains especially popular for local classified ads, used goods, housing, jobs, and community services.
Is it better to sell on Craigslist or eBay?
Choosing between Craigslist and eBay depends on what you’re selling & how quickly. eBay offers a wider reach, buyer protection, and built-in shipping, but charges fees and requires managing shipping & returns. Craigslist is free, good for fast local sales and bulky items, but riskier and less structured. Use Craigslist for large items or local deals; use eBay when you need broader exposure and more coverage.
Is it harder to sell on eBay?
Selling on eBay can be harder than local platforms because of competition, fees, and strict policies. Success requires optimised listings, good photos, and reliable shipping. However, eBay’s massive buyer base gives a broader reach, so while setup takes effort, the potential rewards are much higher.
Does Craigslist charge anything to post and sell items?
Craigslist is mostly free to post, but some categories and locations have fees. For example, posts in job listings, apartments in certain cities, or dealer car ads usually require a small charge
What to avoid when selling on Craigslist?
When selling on Craigslist, avoid sharing personal details, accepting overpayment checks, or agreeing to ship items, as these are common scams. Meet buyers in safe, public places, preferably with cash-only transactions. Stay alert to suspicious offers, fake inquiries, or pressure tactics to protect yourself.
How do I sell on Craigslist without getting scammed?
To sell safely on Craigslist, always meet buyers in public, well-lit places, preferably with security cameras. Accept cash only, avoid checks or wire transfers, and never share personal details. Trust your instincts, ignore suspicious messages, and bring a friend when possible to reduce scam risks.