How We Calculate Fees

Our methodology, data sources, and verification process

Overview

Our calculator determines seller profits by computing all applicable marketplace fees for a given sale price, then subtracting those fees along with the seller's costs (item cost and shipping expenses) from the total transaction amount. We account for the full fee stack of each marketplace, including selling commissions, payment processing charges, listing fees, and platform-specific adjustments.

Below we detail how we source our fee data, which variables we track for each marketplace, our calculation approach, and how we keep everything current.

Our Process

1

Research Official Sources

We start with each marketplace's official seller documentation, help center articles, and fee schedule pages. These are the primary authority for current fee rates.

2

Model the Fee Structure

Each marketplace has a unique fee formula. We model every component: percentage-based commissions, fixed per-transaction fees, tiered rates based on seller level or category, and conditional fees like offsite advertising or international surcharges.

3

Implement & Test Calculations

Fee formulas are implemented in code with precise rounding behavior matching each marketplace. We test calculations against known sale scenarios and real seller payouts to verify accuracy.

4

Monitor & Update

We monitor marketplace announcements and fee policy changes. When a platform updates its fee structure, we revise our calculations and note the update date on the relevant marketplace page.

Calculation Formula

At its core, every marketplace calculation follows this structure:

1. Total Sale Amount = Sale Price + Shipping Charged to Buyer

2. Selling Fee = Total Sale Amount x Marketplace Commission Rate

3. Payment Processing = Total Sale Amount x Processing Rate + Fixed Fee

4. Total Fees = Selling Fee + Payment Processing + Additional Fees

5. Total Costs = Item Cost + Shipping Cost

6. Final Profit = Total Sale Amount - Total Fees - Total Costs

"Additional Fees" varies by marketplace and may include listing fees (Etsy), international surcharges (eBay), offsite advertising fees (Etsy), referral fees (Amazon, Walmart), seller level adjustments (StockX, GOAT), or VAT (Viagogo).

Calculator Modes

We offer three calculation modes, each using the same underlying fee engine:

Profit Calculator

Enter your sale price and costs. We compute all fees and show your net profit. This is a direct, forward calculation.

Goal Calculator (Find Listing Price)

Enter your desired profit and costs. We use a binary search algorithm to find the sale price that yields your target profit after all fees. The algorithm converges within 80 iterations to a precision of $0.01.

Break-Even Calculator

Enter your costs only. We find the minimum sale price where you don't lose money -- the point where revenue exactly covers all fees plus your costs. This uses the same binary search approach with a target profit of zero.

Data Sources by Marketplace

Below is a summary of the primary data sources and key variables we track for marketplaces available in United States:

MarketplacePrimary SourceKey Variables
eBayeBay Seller Center fee scheduleCategory, store plan, seller level, international, promoted listings
MercariMercari seller fee pageFlat 10% + payment processing
DepopDepop seller termsNo seller fees (buyer-fee model)
PoshmarkPoshmark fee pageTiered: flat fee under $15, 20% above
GrailedGrailed seller FAQ8% commission + payment processing
StockXStockX seller guideSeller level (1-5), payment processing
GOATGOAT seller FAQSeller rating tiers (below 50 to 90+)
Facebook MarketplaceMeta Commerce policies5% shipped, $0.40 minimum
OfferUpOfferUp seller terms12.9%, $1.99 minimum
EtsyEtsy fee policy pageListing fee, transaction fee, payment, offsite ads, currency conversion
AmazonAmazon Seller Central fee scheduleCategory referral fee, seller plan, per-item fee
WalmartWalmart Marketplace seller helpCategory-based referral fee
TicketmasterTicketmaster seller policiesCommission range, event/venue variation
StubHubStubHub seller FAQCommission range, event/venue variation
SeatGeekSeatGeek seller termsCommission range, event/venue variation
AXSAXS resale policiesCommission range, event/venue variation
TickPickTickPick seller FAQCommission range, event/venue variation
GametimeGametime seller termsCommission range, event/venue variation
Vivid SeatsVivid Seats seller policiesCommission range, event/venue variation
RazorgatorRazorgator seller termsCommission range, event/venue variation
TicketCityTicketCity seller FAQCommission range, event/venue variation
ViagogoViagogo seller policiesCommission range, VAT (regional)

Regional Support

We support fee calculations across 8 regions: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, European Union, Japan, India, and Brazil. Regional differences we account for include:

  • Currency conversion and local currency display
  • Region-specific marketplace availability (e.g., Vinted in EU/UK only)
  • Regional fee variations where platforms charge differently by country
  • Tax-related fee adjustments (e.g., Viagogo VAT in certain regions)

Update Frequency

We review and verify fee data on an ongoing basis. Each marketplace page displays a "Fees last verified" date showing when we last confirmed that marketplace's fee structure. Major fee changes are typically reflected within days of a marketplace's announcement. We conduct comprehensive audits of all marketplace fees at least quarterly.

Limitations & Caveats

While we strive for maximum accuracy, there are inherent limitations to any fee calculator:

  • Marketplace fees can change without notice. There may be a delay between a fee change and our update.
  • Some fees are approximate ranges (e.g., ticket marketplace seller fees vary by event and venue).
  • Our calculations do not include sales tax, income tax, or marketplace-facilitated tax.
  • Promotional pricing, negotiated rates, or special seller agreements are not modeled.
  • Rounding behavior may differ slightly from marketplace payouts due to implementation specifics.
  • FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) fees, storage fees, and similar logistics costs are not included.

Questions About Our Methodology?

If you notice a discrepancy between our calculations and your actual marketplace payouts, we want to know. Use the feedback button on any calculator page to report inaccuracies. We investigate every report and update our data accordingly.