Selling stuff you no longer need is a fantastic way to declutter your home and earn some extra cash. Mercari, a popular reselling app, offers a user-friendly platform perfect for beginners to dive into the world of reselling. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step, equipping you with the knowledge and strategies to successfully sell on Mercari.
Table of Contents
- Getting Started with Mercari
- Finding Items to Sell
- Creating a Compelling Mercari Listing
- Shipping Your Mercari Sales
- Understanding Mercari Fees
- Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Mercari Sales
- Getting Paid and Managing Your Mercari Account
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Getting Started with Mercari
Account Setup:
- Download the App: Download the Mercari app on your smartphone for the most convenient listing and selling experience. Alternatively, you can access Mercari through their website.
- Sign Up: Create an account by providing your personal information, including your name, address, email, and bank account details for payouts.
- Referral Program (Optional): Consider using a referral link to sign up (you can find mine in the description below!). You’ll receive a small credit towards your first purchase, and I’ll get a credit as well. It’s a win-win!
Finding Items to Sell
Decluttering Your Home:
Begin your reselling journey by decluttering your home. Look for items you or your family no longer use or need. You might be surprised at what hidden treasures are collecting dust in your closets and drawers! Here are some common household items that often sell well on Mercari:
- Books: Novels, textbooks, cookbooks, children’s books – you name it, someone might be looking for it!
- Clothes: Outgrown children’s clothes, fashion trends you’ve moved on from, or items that no longer fit can find new homes on Mercari.
- Electronics: Old phones, video game consoles, tablets, and accessories can fetch a good price.
- Baby Gear: Cribs, strollers, toys, and clothes that your little ones have outgrown are in high demand among new parents.
- Kitchen Appliances: Unused blenders, slow cookers, or other kitchen gadgets can be easily resold.
- Bath & Body Products: Perhaps you received a gift set that you never used – list those unopened bath bombs, lotions, and perfumes on Mercari.
- Toys & Games: Children’s toys, board games, video games – these are popular items that often sell quickly.
Sourcing from Other Places:
Once you’ve exhausted your own household items, expand your inventory by sourcing from other places:
- Thrift Stores: You can often find great deals on gently used items at thrift stores, offering an opportunity for profitable reselling.
- Garage Sales: Weekends are prime time for finding hidden gems at bargain prices at garage sales.
- Online Platforms: Browse platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for potential resale items.
Creating a Compelling Mercari Listing
Taking High-Quality Pictures:
Pictures are the first impression your listing makes on potential buyers. High-quality, clear photos significantly increase your chances of a sale:
- Use Your Phone: Don’t worry about a professional camera! Your smartphone camera will suffice as long as the photos are well-lit and in focus.
- Multiple Angles: Capture multiple photos from various angles, showcasing all sides and details of the item.
- Highlight Flaws: Be transparent about any flaws or imperfections. Take close-up photos of any scratches, stains, or damage.
- Maximize Photos: Utilize all 12 photo slots available on Mercari. The more photos, the better!
Writing Detailed Descriptions:
A compelling description provides all the necessary information for potential buyers and helps your listing appear in relevant searches:
- Be Thorough: Include the brand, size, color, condition, and any unique features of the item.
- Use Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords that buyers might use to search for your item (e.g., “Nike running shoes size 10”).
- Disclose Flaws: Be honest about any flaws or damage, no matter how minor.
- Measurements for Clothing: Include precise measurements for clothing items, such as waist, inseam, and length.
Pricing Your Items:
- Research: Before setting a price, research similar sold listings on Mercari to determine a competitive price point.
- Smart Pricing: Mercari’s “Smart Pricing” tool allows you to set a floor price (the lowest price you’re willing to accept), and Mercari automatically lowers the price gradually until it reaches your desired floor price or the item sells. This can help attract buyers and potentially speed up sales.
Shipping Your Mercari Sales
Mercari Prepaid Labels vs. Shipping Independently:
- Mercari Prepaid Labels: This option provides convenience and protection. Mercari automatically calculates the shipping cost based on weight and dimensions, and offers “Mercari Shipping Protection,” which covers lost or damaged items up to a certain amount.
- Shipping Independently: You can purchase shipping labels from other providers (like USPS, FedEx, or UPS) and input the tracking number on Mercari. This option might save you money, especially if you have access to discounted shipping rates. However, you won’t be covered by Mercari Shipping Protection.
- Free Shipping: Offering free shipping (by covering the cost yourself) can be a great incentive for buyers, especially if you’re shipping independently.
Mercari Local:
- Local Deliveries: Mercari Local allows local buyers to have items delivered directly by Postmates or Uber for a flat fee. This is ideal for large, bulky items that are expensive to ship traditionally.
Packaging and Handling:
- Secure Packaging: Protect your items during transit by using appropriate packaging materials, such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or sturdy boxes.
- Shipping Deadlines: Ship your items within the timeframe specified by Mercari (usually 3 business days). Timely shipping leads to positive customer reviews and a good seller reputation.
Understanding Mercari Fees
Mercari is free to use for listing, but they do charge fees after a sale is made:
- Selling Fee: 10% of the selling price.
- Payment Processing Fee: 2.9% + $0.50 of the total transaction (selling price + shipping).
- Shipping Fees: Vary depending on the weight, dimensions, and shipping method. You can estimate shipping costs using Mercari’s shipping calculator before listing.
- Additional Fees: There are also potential cancellation fees (if you cancel an order) and withdrawal fees (for specific instant pay or direct deposit scenarios).
Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Mercari Sales
Smart Pricing:
Reiterating this handy feature! Set your desired floor price, and let Mercari automate the price drops to attract buyers.
Promotions:
- Promote Listings: For a 5% price drop, you can promote a listing. This increases visibility in search results.
- Offers to Likers: Send a discounted offer only to users who have “liked” your listing. This can entice them to purchase.
Referral Program:
Share your personal referral link with friends and family. You earn credits when someone uses your link to sign up and make a purchase.
Refresh Listings:
Deactivate and then reactivate your listings regularly. This can bump them back up in search results, as Mercari’s algorithm tends to prioritize new listings.
Cross-Listing (With Caution):
List your items on other platforms, such as Poshmark or eBay, to increase your reach. However, be sure to manage your inventory carefully to avoid selling the same item on multiple platforms simultaneously.
Detailed Descriptions and Keywords:
We can’t stress this enough! Craft thorough descriptions that use relevant keywords. This will improve your listing’s visibility in Mercari’s search results.
Getting Paid and Managing Your Mercari Account
Mercari Balance:
- Funds on Hold: When a buyer purchases your item, the funds are held in your Mercari balance until the buyer rates you.
- Auto-Rating: Mercari has a 3-day auto-rating system, so if the buyer doesn’t rate you within three days of receiving the item, Mercari will automatically rate the transaction, releasing the funds to your balance.
- Cash Out: You can transfer your Mercari balance to your bank account. It typically takes 1-3 business days for the funds to arrive in your account.
Returns:
- Buyer Returns: While Mercari doesn’t have a formal return policy, buyers can open a return request if they are dissatisfied with the item.
- Seller Protection: If you accurately described the item’s condition and provided supporting evidence, Mercari’s customer service will typically support you in the event of a return request.
Scammers:
- Be Cautious: Be wary of potential scams, especially with high-priced items.
- Mercari Platform Only: Keep all communication within the Mercari platform. Do not engage in conversations or transactions outside of the app.
- Avoid Off-Platform Payments: Never agree to payment requests through services like Venmo or PayPal outside of Mercari. This is a common tactic used by scammers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What items sell best on Mercari?
Some categories have shown greater success than others on this platform. Popular brands are always in demand, so items from brands like Apple, Nike, Adidas, Coach, and Lululemon generally sell well. Based on personal experience, here are some categories that tend to do well:
- Shoes: Especially athletic shoes and popular brands like Nike, Adidas, and Vans.
- Electronics: Gaming consoles, smartphones, tablets, and headphones.
- Seasonal Items: Holiday decorations, winter coats, summer swimwear – these items are in high demand during specific times of the year.
- Collectibles: Funko Pops, vintage toys, trading cards, and other collectible items often attract dedicated buyers.
Important Note: While you can list clothing and hats on Mercari, they might not perform as well as on platforms specifically geared towards fashion, such as Poshmark.
Q: How can I avoid getting scammed on Mercari?
- On-Platform Communication: Always keep all communication within the Mercari app or website. This provides a record of your interactions and allows Mercari to track any suspicious activity.
- No External Payments: Never agree to payment requests outside of Mercari. If a buyer asks you to pay through Venmo, PayPal, or other external methods, it’s a huge red flag.
- Mercari Local for High-Value Items: For high-value transactions, consider using Mercari Local to avoid shipping scams. This way, the item is delivered directly by a trusted courier service, minimizing the risk of fraud.
Q: How quickly can I expect to sell my items on Mercari?
The time it takes to sell an item on Mercari varies depending on several factors:
- Item Type: In-demand items, like popular electronics or seasonal goods, tend to sell faster.
- Pricing: Competitive pricing based on market research can significantly influence how quickly an item sells.
- Demand: Some items are simply more popular than others.
- Listing Quality: High-quality photos and detailed descriptions can attract buyers and speed up sales.
Using features like Smart Pricing and Promotions can potentially expedite the selling process.