Review on Mercari by Brittney Walker

Mercariis a popular online peer to peer buy/sell marketplace app & website, similar to eBay (with less fees and better seller protection). Users can buy and sell anything from clothing to video games to electronics and more.



-My Experience with Mercari-



I've been a seller and buyer on Mercari since the app first started in 2013, and have since, as a (very) part time seller who sells mostly their own items, earned $10,000 through sales on the app.



• Sales are typically quick, though when your posts get old it helps to repost each item again as it brings them to the top of the list and more buyers see them
• Don't hesitate to block potential buyers that give you a bad feeling. The sale isn't worth the hassle they'll likely bring.
• For higher priced items, video and/or photograph the packing process as proof should a case come up.
• Join the r/mercari sub on Reddit to learn more about common practices and techniques.

I am overall quite happy with the app, though there have been a few bumps in the road that I wish to address:



• There was a point in time where I was banned from Mercari for issuing a chargeback on a bad purchase on which Mercari failed to protect me, the buyer (this was years ago, and from my recent experience they have much improved buyer protection). I was able to get back on the marketplace by emailing support explaining that I have re-familiarized myself with the terms & conditions and promised to keep in line with them if they allowed me back on the platform, which they were able to do once I verified my identity.
• There are a lot of competitive resellers on the app. Though I've not experienced this myself, there are people who will mass-report your items if you are considered 'competition' to their business, and Mercari automatically removes items if they receive enough reports. This is extremely annoying, but should this happen to you, it can be remedied by emailing support and explaining that your listings were not against the rules and that you believe you've been victim of mass-reporting.
• The app automatically allows offers on all listings, so even if your price is firm, expect to receive offers of lower prices.
• Lowballers galore. Don't feed the animals