Mercari vs Teachers Pay Teachers: Honest Comparison
Two options, side by side, with the real costs and the honest downsides. No hype, just what I'd want my own family to know before they choose.
| Mercari | Teachers Pay Teachers | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Monthly cost | $0 | $0 |
| Category | Online selling platform | Online selling platform |
| Pros | Free to list; Flat 10% selling fee is simple to plan around; Sell almost any kind of item; Easy app for listing from your phone | Huge audience of teachers already shopping; Make a resource once and sell it again and again; Low cost to start; Perfect for current and retired teachers |
| Cons | The 10% fee also applies to buyer-paid shipping; Smaller audience than eBay or Amazon; Lots of buyers make low offers; Shipping prices change, so check them before you list | Basic Sellers keep only 55% of each sale; Higher payout needs a $59.95 yearly membership; Very crowded in popular subjects; Takes time to build a catalog that sells |
| Verdict | Mercari is simple and beginner-friendly, and its fee is lower than many marketplaces. It's a good second place to list the same items you sell elsewhere. | Teachers Pay Teachers is a natural fit if you've ever made your own classroom materials. Upgrade to the yearly membership once you're selling regularly so you keep more of each sale. |
Choose Mercari if you want a flat 10% fee and an easy phone app for selling almost anything. Choose Teachers Pay Teachers if you create lesson plans and classroom resources.
Mercari
An online marketplace where people sell almost anything, from clothes and electronics to toys and collectibles, with a flat 10% selling fee.
Teachers Pay Teachers
A marketplace where teachers and educators sell lesson plans, worksheets and classroom resources they create.
What I chose for my family
Tired of opportunities that promise everything and leave you on your own?
I was looking for something to help my family stop struggling to get by. The Home Business Academy is what I found. A done-for-you system, simple daily steps, and a community that actually shows up for you.
No hype. No fake screenshots. Just real people helping each other get started.
No pressure. Take a look and decide for yourself.