How to use this calculator
Enter promoted listing spend, external acquisition cost, new customers, and profit per first order. The calculator shows CAC, payback orders, and acquisition efficiency.
#1056 · E-commerce Tool
eBay CAC Calculator
Calculate how much it costs to acquire a new eBay customer through promoted listings, external ads, and coupons. Compare CAC with profit per order to see whether acquisition spend is sustainable.
Calculator
E-commerce inputs$
$
customers
$
Ad space
What the result means
CAC is healthy when one or two profitable orders recover the acquisition cost. If CAC exceeds expected repeat profit, acquisition spend should be reduced or retargeted.
CAC = Total Acquisition Cost / New Customers. Payback Orders = CAC / Profit per Order.
For repeat-purchase categories, a higher CAC can be acceptable if LTV is strong.
Example calculation
With $300 promoted spend, $150 external cost, 90 new customers, and $12 profit per first order, CAC is $5 and payback is 0.42 orders.
Tips for better results
- Separate new customers from repeat buyers when possible.
- Compare CAC against contribution profit, not revenue.
- Pause campaigns where CAC exceeds expected LTV.
FAQ
How do I calculate customer acquisition cost for eBay?
Add promoted listing spend, external ad spend, coupons, and other acquisition costs, then divide by the number of new customers acquired.
What is a good CAC for eBay sellers?
A good CAC is lower than the profit from the first order or recoverable within a small number of repeat purchases.
Are promoted listings profitable on eBay?
Promoted listings are profitable when the extra profit generated by new buyers exceeds the ad cost and fee impact.
How much should I spend on eBay ads per customer?
Ad spend per customer should be based on profit per order, repeat purchase potential, and target payback period.
Why is my eBay CAC too high?
High CAC often comes from broad targeting, weak listings, low conversion rate, low profit per order, or excessive couponing.
Related calculators
Acquisition decision table
| Metric | Use |
|---|---|
| CAC | Cost to acquire one new buyer. |
| Payback Orders | Orders needed to recover acquisition cost. |
| Efficiency | Profit relative to acquisition cost. |
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