How We Rate Marketplaces

At CarousLab, our mission is to provide the most objective, evidence-based analysis of the C2C e-commerce landscape in Asia. We don't just read about these apps—we use them.

Our Scoring Framework

Each platform is evaluated on a 10-point scale across five distinct categories. The weighted average of these scores determines the final "CarousLab Score".

Weight: 25%

1. User Experience (UI/UX)

We test the friction of listing an item, the search functionality, and mobile app stability. A high score means listing takes under 30 seconds and the app is bug-free.

  • Listing Speed: Time to post a single item.
  • Search Accuracy: Relevance of results for specific queries.
  • Mobile Performance: App crash rates and load times.
Weight: 25%

2. Market Liquidity

A marketplace is only useful if there are buyers. We analyze the "Velocity of Sale" for standardized items (e.g., iPhone 13, Nintendo Switch).

  • Active Users: Estimated monthly active users in the target region.
  • Sale Velocity: Average time to sell popular electronics.
  • Inventory Depth: Number of listings in key categories.
Weight: 20%

3. Safety & Trust

The biggest risk in C2C is fraud. We evaluate the verification systems and community trust scores.

  • Verification: ID checks, phone verification requirements.
  • Review System: Difficulty of faking seller reviews.
  • Dispute Resolution: Availability of support channels.
Weight: 15%

4. Fees & Costs

We calculate the "Total Cost of Sale" including listing fees, final value fees, and withdrawal fees.

  • Listing Fees: Cost to post an item.
  • Commission: Percentage taken from the final sale price.
  • Hidden Costs: Payment processing or boosting fees.
Weight: 15%

5. Logistics & Payment

How easy is it to get paid and ship the item? We prefer platforms with integrated solutions.

  • Integrated Shipping: Partnerships with couriers (e.g., SF Express).
  • Escrow Payments: Protection where funds are held until delivery.

Data Sources

Our ratings are derived from a combination of:

  1. Primary Research: Our team personally lists and sells items on each platform.
  2. Public Data: Financial reports (for public companies like Sea Group/Shopee, eBay).
  3. User Surveys: Aggregated feedback from trusted forums (e.g., Reddit, Lihkg).

Independence & Updates

CarousLab is an independent review site. We do not accept payment for higher rankings. Our reviews are updated quarterly to reflect app updates and fee changes.

Last updated: May 2025