Reverb vs eBay Fees: Which Is Better for Selling Gear?
If you sell guitars, pedals, microphones, recording equipment, or vintage audio gear, one of the biggest questions is whether Reverb or eBay leaves you with more money after fees.
Quick Answer
Reverb is usually simpler to estimate because its standard seller fee structure is more predictable. eBay can be cheaper or more expensive depending on the exact category, sale price, shipping, sales tax, store status, and any optional listing upgrades.
Reverb vs eBay Fee Comparison
| Platform | Typical Fee Structure | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Reverb | 5% selling fee plus Reverb Payments processing, commonly 3.19% + $0.49 for U.S. sellers | Music gear buyers, niche instruments, vintage gear, pedals, microphones, and recording equipment |
| eBay | Category-based final value fee plus a per-order fee; musical-instrument categories vary | Larger audience, auctions, unusual collectibles, and items with broader buyer appeal |
Example: Selling a $900 Microphone
Let’s say you sell a microphone for $900 and charge $40 shipping. Your real profit depends on the platform fee, payment processing, actual shipping cost, insurance, packing materials, and whether you accept an offer below asking price.
That is why you should calculate your estimated net payout before choosing where to list or before accepting a buyer’s offer.
Which Platform Is Better?
Use Reverb when your item is clearly music-gear related and buyers are likely to search specifically for that kind of gear. Use eBay when the item has broader collector appeal, when auction-style selling may create more demand, or when eBay’s category fee is favorable for your exact item.
Before You Accept an Offer
The biggest mistake sellers make is comparing only the final sale price. A $900 sale on one platform may not equal a $900 sale on another once fees, shipping, insurance, and taxes are included.
Compare Reverb and eBay profit nowCompare platforms: Reverb vs eBay fees for selling gear