Mercari

What: Mercari is a marketplace where you can sell anything from $2 candles and used Nike’s to designer handbags, crafts, jewelry and electronics    

Expected pay: NA

Husl$core: $$$

Commissions and fees: 10% 

Where: Nationwide

Requirements: Be over the age of 18

Review:

Mercari is a retailing site that allows you to sell clothing, sporting goods, toys, beauty supplies, and handmade items. The site charges a 10% commission on sales, plus a $2 processing fee for direct deposits under $10. There’s also a $2 fee if a direct deposit transfer is rejected by your bank.

You decide how much to ask for an item and whether you’ll provide the shipping. The site provides the marketing platform and charges a commission.

But there are two big differences with Mercari vs. other sale sites:

1. Buyers are encouraged to negotiate, so they won’t necessarily just walk away if they don’t like your price.

2. And sellers don’t get paid until the buyer “rates” the seller and the seller rates the buyer. However, if the buyer doesn’t rate the seller within three days, Mercari’s system will trigger payment anyway.

The rating requirement appears aimed at reducing buyer and seller fraud by calling out the bad actors. But it can slow the payment process. Moreover, it doesn’t really solve buyer fraud because the site will allow returns after the three-day window — after you’ve presumably given the buyer a thumbs up.

Watch your thumbs

Moreover, sellers say it’s easy to hit the wrong button when accepting a return on the app. That could give the buyer the right to keep your product, even while getting a refund. There’s no going back if you hit the wrong key.

That said, the site does not appear to be more riddled with fraud than other sales sites. The commissions are in line with similar sites, too. However, the $2 deposit transfer fee makes Mercari far more expensive than, say, eBay, when you’re selling something inexpensive.

Recommendations

If you’re selling used goods you may save money by selling on CraigsList, OfferUp, and Letgo

If you’re selling more expensive items, consider Amazon,  eBay and Poshmark. 

What their users say (from SiteJabber)

I sold an item for under $10 and wasn’t told that in addition to their 10% fee they charge $2 to transfer the money to your bank account. No one would help me and transfer it in another way. Ebay does not do this. It is just a sleazy way to get more money from you. Stick with ebay and don’t use this app.

Buyers can repeatedly cancel for no reason and still be issued a refund. Your shipping cost is not refunded. 

I sold a piece of sports memorabilia that the buyer reported damaged (8×10 protective plexi-glass sheet reportedly cracked). The buyer removed the triple layered protective foam sheets (which was more expensive than the $1 plexiglass sheet), took photos without the protective measures and sent it to Mercari. Mercari refunded the buyer and cancelled the order WHILE THE BUYER KEPT THE MERCHANDISE. They responded with, “merchandise was insufficiently packaged” and hazardous to return. I have shipped close to 100 (93 to be exact) of the same type items (all exact same materials/sizes/packaging with zero issues.

Slow pay and scams

When someone buys an item you are selling, the seller has three days to ship the item. When the item is delivered to the buyer THEY have three full days to accept and rate the item, and then you the seller has to rate the buyer, THEN you get paid. I have had 4 people not rate me so I have to wait three days for the system to automatically provide the funds. Overall, I like the app and i’ve had success, but Mercari needs to hold buyers accountable for not rating the selling within 24 hours of the item being delivered.

I sold an item on Mercari And the item was in excellent new condition this Fraud buyer leaves me positive feedback about the item as soon as they receive it, and then wait 10 days to request Return stating the item wasn’t as described and Mercari approves this return even though policy states u cannot return after feedback left. They still approved it. FRAUD

I sold a pair of 200.00 shoes that were in excellent condition for 40.00 after the lady talked me down from a much higher price. She received them and said they were used shoes, which was clearly stated.  She requested a refund and they gave it to her. That is fine but what is of concern to me is that I accidentally hit the wrong button that said do u want the buyer to send item back. I tried to fix it and they told me they can’t do anything about it. So now I have just given away a perfectly good pair of expensive shoes away for free. I’m beyond mad over this.