Selling Open Box Returns: eBay vs. Shopify ReturnsForSale App

In the world of e-commerce, managing open box and used returns efficiently can make a big difference in both profitability and customer experience. Many merchants turn to eBay as a marketplace for used goods because it provides a wide audience. But if you’re already on Shopify, the ReturnsForSale Shopify returns app offers a powerful alternative: reselling returned items directly on your own store.

With ReturnsForSale, you can add a discounted “used option” right on the original product page. This keeps customers on your site, allows cross-selling of other products, and builds long-term value through owned marketing channels.

Selling a $100 Product on eBay

Cost Breakdown on eBay

• Insertion Fee: eBay charges a listing fee that varies by product category and format. For a $100 product, this can range from $0.35 to $2.00.

• Final Value Fee: When an item sells, eBay charges around 10% of the total transaction value, including shipping.

Time to Post on eBay
Creating a listing requires writing product descriptions, uploading photos, and setting up shipping details. Depending on complexity, this process can take 15–60 minutes.

Selling a $100 Product with the ReturnsForSale Shopify App

The ReturnsForSale Shopify return management system makes it easy to resell open box returns directly on your storefront. Instead of liquidating, you can recover revenue and provide customers with transparent, discounted buying options.

Cost Breakdown with ReturnsForSale

• 5% Fee: For a $100 product, the fee is just $5 — half or less of eBay’s typical costs.

Time to Post with ReturnsForSale
Listing a return takes less than a minute. Simply upload photos of the product (critical for building customer trust), select the item from your catalog via the pre-populated dropdown, and publish. The app even supports automated pricing with DRIP logic, ensuring returns sell quickly.

Why ReturnsForSale is a Better Fit for Shopify Merchants

Using a Shopify returns portal powered by ReturnsForSale lets you:

• Keep traffic and sales on your own store.

• Offer customers open box options alongside new products.

• Reduce costs with lower transaction fees.

• Build owned marketing relationships for future sales.

• Improve sustainability by extending the lifecycle of returned products.

Conclusion

While eBay gives you access to a larger marketplace, it comes with higher fees and a time-consuming listing process. For Shopify merchants, the ReturnsForSale Shopify returns app is a more efficient way to handle Shopify order returns. It simplifies return management, reduces costs, and lets you turn returns into revenue — all while keeping your customers on your site.

In today’s competitive e-commerce landscape, owning the returns process is critical. Choosing the right Shopify return management system helps you maximize revenue, streamline operations, and build stronger customer relationships.