Have you become fed up using eBay? Or are you just looking for something that gives you better value when buying and selling items? Here are the best eBay alternatives available for UK users.
I have been an eBay user for around 20 years now, formerly being my go-to place when I had a DVD to sell. With so many potential buyers and low fees, it was a no-brainer. But times have changed. The eBay marketplace seems to be dominated by businesses and we small sellers have been left behind. And then there are the fees. These seem to have risen quite dramatically over the years and now, I’m left facing a bill of 12.8% and a fixed charge of 30p per order.
That means if I were to sell a DVD for £1, I would see less than 60 pence back. Hardly worth it. So that’s why I decided to see if I could find better value elsewhere.
Of course, depending on what you’re selling limits the sites you can use. There are plenty of options when it comes to selling clothes, less so if you have furniture.
So, let’s take a look at what’s on offer.
Best eBay alternatives for general items
If you have some everyday items like toys, electronics or jewellery, then it would be worth taking a look at some of the sites below.
eBUYgumm
If you’re looking for a site that lists a whole range of items, look no further than eBUYgumm. Although it sounds like something set up to poke fun at northerners, this marketplace is growing steadily in popularity.
eBUYgumm sets itself apart from eBay as it doesn’t charge any fees for listing or selling items. But usage isn’t completely free as you need to use their payment system when completing transactions. It costs 2.8% + 20p per payment but is still far cheaper than eBay.
The downside is there aren’t anywhere near as many users as compared to eBay. If you’re selling an item that’s not so sought after, it could be harder to get rid of.
OnBuy
OnBuy was set up back in 2016 and is UK based. It works in a very similar way to how eBay used to run. A buyer purchases an item and then sends the money to the seller through PayPal. But unlike eBay, there are no auction listings.
Selling is usually slightly cheaper, with no listing fees and a final valuation fee of between 5 and 9%, depending on what it is you’re selling. You will also need to pay PayPal a cut of your profits, which is in the region of 1.9 to 2.9% plus 30 pence.
However, sellers also need to pay a monthly subscription charge of between £19 and £39, plus VAT.
Or find out more from my OnBuy review.
Amazon
We all know Amazon and how popular the site is. But many of us are unaware that individuals and small businesses can sell on Amazon too. There’s also a nifty option of Amazon sending items out on your behalf, so you actually have to do very little.
With a customer base similar to eBay’s, Amazon is a site worth considering… but it’s not cheap. You pay a 75 pence fee for every item you sell plus an additional selling fee. This will be down to the item you sell but can be between 7 and 15%.
If you sell a lot of items, then there is a professional plan on offer. So instead of 75 pence per item, you pay a one-off fee of £25 each month.
Like eBay, Amazon is really aimed towards business sellers rather than private individuals looking at a clearout.
Facebook Marketplace
Unbelievably, it’s estimated that there are 48.5 million Facebook users in the UK. That means a huge number of potential customers when you come to sell. And although it’s not everybody’s first site they visit when looking to buy something, it still has plenty of users.
But what’s the best thing about Marketplace? It’s completely free to buy and sell. That is unless you want to pay for a premium listing so your item is noticed more.
But if it’s free, why isn’t it used more? Well, it’s important to note that there’s no protection when using Facebook. If there are any issues, you will need to sort them out yourself. This is why most transactions are made in person so that the item can be checked before the money is passed over.
And there are a lot of timewasters. You’ll receive plenty of messages from people asking if an item is still available, only to never hear from them again. You’ll also have people agree to buy something, only for them never to turn up.
Gumtree
Gumtree operates a similar model to Facebook. You can sell items for free, or use a paid option so more people see them. Although it’s difficult to find recent statistics, Gumtree had 17.8m monthly visitors back in 2016.
But it’s important to note that Gumtree isn’t just about buying and selling small items. You can find properties, vehicles, services and jobs. So there’s a good chance that many visitors aren’t even looking to buy anything.
And, like Facebook, you need to remember that there is very little protection when using Gumtree. Try not to part with large sums of cash if you don’t have to.
Shpock
Another site that allows you to sell a whole range of items for no fee. It’s also free for buyers to use, although if you have an item delivered, you can opt to pay a fee for buyer protection. This covers you if something should go wrong.
If you’re a regular seller, you could take out a Premium Membership, allowing you to choose 2 of your items to appear at the top of the listings each month and add more photos.
Preloved
Started in 1998, Preloved is now one of the biggest classified sites in the UK. From furniture to garden equipment to cars, a whole load of second-hand items are waiting to be bought and sold.
Buying and selling is completely free on Preloved. But if you want your items to reach more buyers or want to include more photos or even videos on your listings, you will need to take up one of their paid memberships. But these won’t break the bank at £5 or £15 per year.
But like Facebook Marketplace, selling on Preloved mainly relies on local sales, so you may not make quite as much as if you were to sell on eBay.
Best places to sell clothes online
Although you can sell clothes at all of the above sites, there are others you can consider that specialise in fashion.
Depop
Although Depop focuses on clothes, you can buy and sell jewellery, beauty products and electronics.
Listing your items is free, but you must pay a 10% fee if it sells. You will also need to pay a fee to PayPal or Depop Payments, depending on how you receive your money. This is usually around 2.9%.
Depop provides buyer and seller protection and will step in to help settle disputes.
Vinted
Another clothes-selling site, Vinted claims to have over 45 million members. Like Depop, you don’t pay any fees when selling. When you buy, if you use the “Buy now” button, you pay an extra 3–8% for your item. This gives you protection in case something should go wrong.
Rebelle
If you’re a person who likes designer clothes, then using Rebelle could be ideal for you. This site connects sellers with buyers looking for fashion on the pricier side of life. But to do so, they charge a fee to the seller of up to 33%.
And if you don’t want to sell the clothes yourself, you can send them to Rebelle, which will verify them and sell them on your behalf. But to do this, you’ll be charged £25 on top.
HEWI
This is another site that deals in designer clothes. HEWI stands for Hardly Ever Worn It and they charge you 18% plus VAT on any item you sell, although there is a minimum charge of £15 plus VAT.
Vestiaire Collective
Yet another site where you can sell your designer clothes. Well, you can never have too many. Selling through Vestiaire Collective will cost you anything between 10 and 25%. Although if you are lucky to have an item that’s worth £7,000 or more, you will need to pay a commission of £1,750.
Best place to sell books, CDs, DVDs and games
Some sites will buy your items from you and then sell them to others for a profit. This way, you can get rid of your items in bulk rather than selling them individually. Depending on the site you choose, they generally offer different prices for the same item, so it’s worth getting a quote from all of them.
musicMagpie
This is one of the biggest reselling sites out there. Especially great if you have a bulk load of items you need to sell, like DVDs, just scan the barcodes and musicMagpie will give you a price. You send them in for free and once their condition has been confirmed, musicMagpie will send you payment.
musicMagpie will buy a range of items, including Lego, game consoles and mobile phones. If you send in an item and they disagree with the condition, musicmagpie may lower their offer price. But you’re free to turn this down and they will return it to you.
Remember that you won’t usually receive as much money as you would if you sold privately. However, it is generally an easier process.
Zapper
A rival to musicMagpie, Zapper allows you to sell your CDs, DVDs, books, games, phones and electronics. Scan your items for a price and send them in to receive payment. And if you have something that isn’t worth anything, Zapper can recycle it for you.
Ziffit
Ziffit works in almost the exact same way as musicMagpie and Zapper. Just scan the barcodes of your books, CDs, DVDs or video games, and you’ll be given a price. Pack them off to Ziffit for free, and you’ll be paid through PayPal, bank transfer or by cheque.
Again, you probably won’t receive as much money as selling privately.
WeBuyBooks
Don’t be fooled by the name, but WeBuyBooks also buy CDs, DVDs & Games. I would take my time to explain how the site works… but it’s exactly the same as the above.
Best place to sell your mobile phone
I was always a big fan of selling my old phones on eBay. But with the fees they charge (plus my distrust of some buyers), I now use dedicated phone-buying sites.
Sell My Mobile
Sell My Mobile is actually a comparison site for phone recycling companies. They will check to see which site will give you the best price for your phone, tablet, laptop, smartwatch or games console. This saves you from having to visit multiple sites to see who pays the most for your device.
Once you’ve chosen the company you want to go with, enter a few details and a box will be sent out, so you can forward on your device.
Envirofone
A very simple site to use, and it’s important to note that it isn’t listed on Sell My Mobile. Just search for your phone make and model on the Envirofone website, tell them its condition and then send it in to be checked for free. If everything is OK, Envirofone will send you your payment. If there is an issue, you can accept a lower offer or have your phone returned (for free). They may even give you money for broken phones.
Envirofone will also buy tablets and gaming controllers.
Also worth reading
Best places to sell unique or rare items
If you have something special, unique or rare, then the above sites probably won’t cut it for you. But there are a couple worth trying.
Etsy
Etsy provides a marketplace for crafters, artists and collectors, listing various items for sale, from small crafts to digital products such as websites.
Selling is pretty inexpensive, and you can list your items for 15 pence. When they sell, you pay a 5% transaction fee (which also includes postage). If you are paid through Etsy Payments, you must also pay a 4% fee plus 20 pence per item.
Buying and selling come with a degree of protection if something goes wrong, with Etsy stepping in if any disputes occur.
Vintage Cash Cow
This a great place to consider if you have some older items you’re not sure what to do with. Just send them to Vintage Cash Cow (for free), and they will value them. You will receive a cash offer. If you’re happy, accept it. If not, you can have them sent back to you.
The kinds of items Vintage Cash Cow is looking for include medals, jewellery, watches, gold, old currency and old toys. They don’t want clothes or modern electronics.
Which is the best selling site and eBay alternative?
This partly depends on what you have to sell. If you want to auction off a mainstream item, then eBUYgumm is your only real choice.
But if you’re happy with taking a slightly lower price (and potentially having your time wasted), then take a look at Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace. Although they may not sound tempting, the fact that you don’t have to pay a fee usually outweighs the lower price. Plus, there are lots of potential customers.
If you have electronic items to sell and want the easy option, consider musigMagpie or any of its competitors. You usually won’t be messed around and can get rid of unwanted items quickly. You just won’t get the best value.
Terry
Thursday 25th of April 2024
Thanks for this, really helpful. I really dislike eBay and so want to find an alternative for a whole load of stuff I need to clear from my parents' home. I'm wondering if there are sites that are best for selling vintage cameras? So difficult to know how much to sell those for.
Pete Chatfield
Friday 26th of April 2024
Hi Terry. Yes, it's a tough one. Check to see if there are any shops close to you that buy and sell camera equipment. I know there are a couple not too far from me. There is also a site called Harrisons Cameras which buys old equipment and you can ask for quote online. I've never used them though, so can't say if you would get a good price. Best of luck!