Love vintage finds like retro fashion, collectibles, books, or quirky knick-knacks? Turning that passion into profit is possible on both eBay and Etsy—but which platform is the better fit for your business? In this article, we’ll break down the key differences, explore advice from both marketplaces, and help you decide where your vintage treasures can thrive.
What Can I Sell?
As long as an item is at least 20 years old, then you can sell it on either platform, provided the item does not violate any prohibited items policies. Check Etsy’s Prohibited Items list and eBay’s Prohibited and Restricted Items policy to ensure that your item follows each marketplace’s requirements. A quick check now can help you avoid listing delays or potential account issues later.
When choosing what to sell, think about what your niche will be. Are you going to sell 1950’s clothing, porcelain figurines, or records from the 1970’s? Take the time to research your target audience and develop your brand. You can use tools such as eRank’s Keyword Tool to learn what listings are popular for keywords related to your items, and the Trend Buzz tool to find keywords that are trending with buyers right now—on both eBay and Etsy—as well as dozens of other platforms!
What Will It Cost?
After choosing your niche and products, you need to decide how to price your items. When calculating your prices, one cost you don’t want to forget about are platform fees. The chart below compares Etsy and eBay fees across four categories: listing fees, transaction fees, payment processing, and any subscription fees.
In addition to the fees listed in the chart above, Etsy also charges an extra fee on orders generated through Offsite Ads. This program is mandatory for shops that have made $10,000 or more in sales over the past 365 days. To learn more, visit How Etsy’s Offsite Ads Work in the Etsy Help Center.
eBay also charges various fees for different types of categories such as real estate, as well as offering Optional Listing Upgrades for their sellers.
💡You can read about eBay’s fee structures on their Selling Fees page.
💡Find more information on Etsy’s seller fees in their Fees help page.
If you need help pricing your items for Etsy, check out How to Calculate Your Etsy Shop’s Profit Margin Like a Pro, as well as use eRank’s Profit Calculator tool.
How Should I Craft My Listings?
Now that you’ve narrowed down what you want to sell and how to price it, the next step is actually listing your items. Taking the time to craft an accurate product description is crucial to both eBay and Etsy. Many buyers want to learn the stories behind vintage pieces, so take the time to share all you know about your unique items and why it is special. Perform keyword research with eRank’s Keyword Tool to craft titles that entice buyers and help the algorithms match your listings to buyer queries.
While Etsy allows up to 140 characters for listing titles, eBay only allows up to 80, so finding the most accurate and popular keywords is crucial!
💡Learn more about Etsy’s SEO here with eRank’s Etsy SEO Basics blog post.
💡Read eBay’s Optimizing your listings for Best Match help article to learn about eBay SEO.
If the item is used or not in the original packaging, it’s important to document and photograph any flaws. Since buyers cannot hold the item in their hands and personally inspect it before purchasing, showing every angle and providing all information is your responsibility as the seller. Both Etsy and eBay recommend using high resolution photos and a listing video to show what makes the piece unique.
If you need help crafting titles and descriptions, eRank’s Listing Helper is a great place to start. While it’s designed specifically for Etsy listings, many of the suggestions it generates—like keyword-rich titles and compelling product descriptions—can also be adapted for eBay. Just be sure to keep eBay’s shorter title limit in mind (80 characters compared to Etsy’s 140). Learn more by reading Listing Helper Saves You Time.
Choose Your Platform and Start Selling
Selling vintage is more than just moving old treasures—it’s about storytelling, niche expertise, and connecting with the right buyers. Whether you choose Etsy, eBay, or both, your success starts with knowing your audience, pricing strategically, and optimizing your listings to stand out.
eRank gives you the research tools to uncover what shoppers are searching for. Lean into your passion, put your shop out there, and refine as you grow. And remember, you’re not alone in this journey! Join our supportive Facebook Group, explore more tips in the eRank Blog, and subscribe to our YouTube Channel for instructions, inspiration, and insider advice to help you thrive—wherever you choose to sell.
