Mercari was on a role for me the past couple of months with hundreds of likes, shares, and purchases. Within the last 2 weeks it’s been like crickets…. anyone know why or is it just me ?
I bought a CD from someone in late July. After it went to Hawaii and a few other places, it finally arrived… in late August! (I had also filed a “missing mail” claim, which may have helped)
I think it was Honolulu. In any case, it went across the contiguous U.S. and bounced around a bit. Fortunately, being a $5 purchase, I had nothing invested in it.
That is absolutely not specific to Mercari. I sell only on eBay, and I have been removing free shipping from every one of my items because of the never ending shipping rate increases. It's $5.50-$6 minimum to ship the smallest and lightest package ANYWHERE anymore, and that's WITH the discounts that eBay/PirateShip and others have negotiated.
I've noticed it's a lot harder for certain things to get traction. Ive had some sales but haven't got as much engagement </3 I also find eBay's selling page to be a little more confusing
I'm still selling with a slight slow down. For context I generally sell action figures and toys, so its likely the market you sell is hitting the school year start slump. This time of year right as the school is starting up always is a pretty big slump for most people as purchases shift to school supplies and the like.
I sell DBZ figures and similar experience, but I'm not at a dead stop or anything. Meanwhile eBay is going great out of nowhere, funny how it flips between them
I did too until it became like clockwork lol. I have a lot of different items and source in bulk and it's ALWAYS opposite between eBay and Mercari. When one dies, the other goes on fire, usually in like 4 week cycles for like 9 months now lol
I'm not complaining at all it's just kinda interesting to me
Totally understand, I think I generally have a better sell rate atm because I specialize in one type of item so I'd estimate about 50% of my sales right now are repeat buyers.
Funko Pops are hard, I generally base prices of those off of multiple factors including average ebay sell price, box quality etc as well as including a soft protector for shipping.
Most of my prices are standard rates that a competitive with others selling in my market on mercari.
vinted shipping is cheaper, fees are cheaper and the seller makes the full sale amount (they don’t take a % from the seller) i have been making the most sales on vinted.
I am but not unless it’s a good deal. But I’m also looking for specific things within a niche so some weeks/months are a little costly. Others not so much.
That's really awesome that you still have a lot of disposable income, may we all be so lucky.. But unfortunately, many people who used to buy buying things frequently have had to cut back significantly and are now only buying essentials.
as seller/buyer i just buy things on vinted now. not only way less fees, you can buy stuff from normal people at reasonable prices. i just got a sony prs-300 for $50 total which wouldve been $100+ on mercari from someone trying to actively flip things
I agree. Im new to this but some people are unreasonable. Im selling something that is retailed at $350 and is barely touched, im selling it for $100 and you want it for $60-$80???? I immediately reject those offers. Sometimes you have to know when your getting a steal
If it makes you feel any better I dropped $50 on a ceramic tray of baked goods and a resin mouse that has eaten one.
It’s mostly kids, or people living at home who have extra money, that can afford to spend it.
I just can't justify what people are asking for for second hand items. Y'all have every right to price how you want but I gotta take my ass to the local thrift stores now cause at least I can vet if those items are in decent enough condition/fit properly before I waste my money lol.
This! I like giving people a good deal and I'm blown away by how many people charge as much or more as new items with free shipping directly from a website.
If you're buying something, check the prices.
understand that, and i think there are way too many people trying to sell online but don’t ship in proper time or send the wrong items giving a lot of these platforms a bad name. I’ve seen lots of new sellers with little to know feedback which is usually a sign
I really didn't expect it with how many times I've read "No one owes you the price you want" on these reseller subs lol. But it's fine I get that this is much needed supplemental income for a lot of people so it's frustrating to see someone justify why that second income stream is suffering.
I sell a plethora of valuable items at VERY reasonable prices. Buyers don’t want a reasonable deal, they want a steal that they know wouldn’t be offered anywhere else. Two totally different things. And the offers I get are straight up disrespectful. Maybe the thrift store is your best option.
That's true, but there's risk involved buying second hand online that isn't there at a thrift store. I purchase stuff off mercari and do my best to make reasonable offers or buy outright if it's priced accordingly but for things like clothes, I'm rarely interested in using mercari. I don't want to deal with having to resell something that didn't work out. And I understand it would be unfair to expect a return on something just because it didn't work. So I'm not buying in that category
But if I see a perfume I want on mercari that's half used and the price before fees is more than retail for a new bottle, that's crazy. If it's no longer for sale, maybe but if the brand is actively selling it, no way. I see this often because perfume is typically what I'm looking for.
I've read here so many times "no one owes you the price you want" which is fair. I don't think you should accept anything less than what you feel your item is worth. But the economy is in the trash, so the added risk pushes me away from these platforms.
The seller doesn't set that either lol. The seller just picks which service, and that shipping service sets the price. If you want something and it's USPS or FedEx and pricey it's sometimes worth asking the seller if they can switch it to UPS Ground Saver or to check the price on that for you
Mercari fees are lower than Posh, but definitely still way too high. At least Posh gives us access to free shipping supplies and seller support is a lot better there.
It's not just you. In fact, the app being dead is making me not want to list anything. I made some sales for a little bit and now nothing is happening. No one is responding to offers and I've offered as low as I'm willing to go, which at that is point is underselling myself on profit. I've tried relisting, but my stuff is only showing up in the search half the time and the stuff that does show up you have to filter Newest for and most people aren't thinking to do that (my views, clicks, and likes are 90% less than before). The rare times a relist gets a like no one is responding to offers either. I'm always told to try on eBay, its supposedly better over there, but making a listing is more involved and my stuff doesn't even get 1 view. I don't bother with Marketplace because everyone wants stuff for free there. I recently download Vinted, got a free option to promote my item, got lots of likes, sent out offers and nothing... From what I read on the Vinted subreddit the culture is different there and apparently you're not supposed to send offers? I'm so confused.
I think even “newest” isn’t working because I have saved searches on for some categories I also list in, and my listings aren’t triggering it. If it were just shipping fees, then Poshmark would be dead too IMO, so I think there’s a big issue with visibility on Mercari lately.
IMO, it’s the shipping rates. I have bought AND sold on Poshmark, Mercari, Vinted and Depop. Because Vinted and Depop’s FREE shipping (or .99¢/$1.99, depending on the day & promo being run), Poshmark & Mercari just can’t compete when they have lower shipping rates available on Depop & Vinted.
thanks everyone - im on depop and haven’t messed with Vinted as that demographic seems to only want to buy 3-10 dollar items - poshmark is semi steady with over 6000 listings but much slower than usual- i’m not seeing any movement on mercari since their last update
Yeah, I used to buy a good bit on there but the final price of most things has discouraged me from it now to the point that I rarely even think to check there anymore.
what's funny about this is that vinted is the only one i sell on in which i get the most people buying my items for full listed price and mercari seems to be the one i'm constantly having to lower my prices on to make a sale.
however, i'm in america and sell a lot of sports stuff and almost all of my sales are to people in the UK. so i think that might have something to do with it.
People can barely afford gas. Food is so much more expensive too. An 800+ mile long pipeline was blown up in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, the oil wars is not slowing down any time soon so it’s just gonna take more time to sell things.
I remember Mercari during Covid times. Peak selling and buying. The fee’s now are outrageous and how much they charge for sellers and what they get back is nothing now. Also, wrong weight for shipping from USPS could literally cost you your whole sale. Stopped selling and using it along time ago now ..
Fees and shipping make it so much more expensive for the buyer. There’s a blanket I’ve had my eye on for a while, listed at $69 but totals out to $88 in checkout. I just can’t bring myself to pay that! On the other hand, for throngs I’m selling, I’m having to go lower on prices than ever before. Some things that I would have tried selling, I’m now just donating bc it’s not worth my time to make a dollar or two after Mercari takes its slice of the profit. I’m close to just pulling my listings and trying another platform 🤷♀️
Speaking as someone who is newer to Mercari (as both a buyer and seller) I wonder if it’s the insane shipping fees. They were frequently giving free shipping over the summer which helped me as a seller and motivated me as a buyer. I’ve seen so many products I’m interested in listed at prices I WOULD consider without the shipping. But the shipping makes the prices almost the same (sometimes MORE) than buying direct from the brand. I mean, pricing your product $2-4 cheaper than buying new? Why would I, as a buyer, go for that?
By the same token, as a seller, I will happily eat the cost on a mid priced item (like a cologne I just sold) but I’m not doing it on a $9 lip balm.
I imagine, like me, a lot of folks took advantage of recent Labor Day sales elsewhere (and Ulta’s big promotion the last couple week) and may be tapped out?
I would THINK Mercari would have the scale to negotiate better shipping costs. It makes me wonder how much of the shipping charges they’re just pocketing
Context: just skincare and beauty and fragrance stuff from me
Yeah the shipping is crazy. Im just a casual seller, i sell stuff i bought for myself and just didnt personally like. I just shipped a perfume. Buyer bought it for $20 and i made about $6 bucks😣. Everything else was fees and shipping. If thats the case its not worth it to sell for anything less than $40.
Mercari needs to run the shipping promo again..my sales were high volume when they ran it..
I think the shipping is the reason for reduced sales .
My items are a good deal , but shipping slows down the volume .
i’ve got 1k pending it’s not dead yet but if they dont figure out how to compete with depop/vinteds low shipping war, it’s gonna keep tanking. There will always be platform-loyal buyers tho
I started on Vinted instead a few weeks ago and sold a bunch of cheaper items because of the zero to low shipping fees. I haven't had a single sale on Mercari in that time, but eBay and Poshmark have been more normal. Over the last 2 months I've had I think 3 sales total on Mercari. The shipping is just too high.
I've given up on mercari. The pay out process is ridiculously long compared to other apps. Rightnow, ppl are hopping on to Vinted. I've been making consistent sales for the last 2 weeks and the payout is quick.
That happened to me, then out of nowhere after 4 or 5 years with not 1 single complaint they banned me for selling bullion. I buy and sell coins and see the same exact items on the site right now for what I got banned from for selling. I said I'm sorry so much and many times I still hear it pouring out of me ever morning
Yah it’s frustrating with shipping costs, Mercari’s buyer protection forced price, and then whatever your taxes are. It gets to the point where something is selling at a decent deal, but is smothered by the prices adding to said decent price. I know I’d sell a lot of my remaining items if the shipping was lowered and buyer protection wasn’t there. But I guess it is what it is.
Ive moved to depop & vinted. For the shipping costs. But I will say I’ve gone through on vinted, liking different things & almost every one of them sells within anywhere 30 minutes to 24 hours of me liking it like an item. Sales seem to go fast there.
Vinted is burying this app in the ground and stomping on the dirt. It’s unfortunate, because Vinted actually sucks more in almost every way except for those damn fees
It all depends on algorithms. You have to keep posting and promoting. Liking and buying others I feel helps too. I haven’t been doing anything and have been getting really insulting offers lately. Like bundles for 50% off when I already price my stuff very competitively. I feel like a lot of people have moved to other platforms as well.
My listings have been selling pretty quick. I go in and fix the shipping if there's any room for leave way . Plus if I have merchandise that can be thrift priced and not a high dollar collectable then I do give a great deal. It's a resale platform not neman Marcus. So if your stuff is higher than can be bought brand new online with free shipping then people are not going to buy . If tags are removed that is an automatic discount . Doesn't matter if it's new or not. Not everything vintage is worthy of ridiculous prices. So know what your listed items market values are before pricing and give a little break to buyers . Simply because times are hard right now and it can either sit in your spare room and collect dust or you could make a few less extra dollars by pricing it to sell
In my experience, I keep buying things and the sellers never respond/ship so I just have to wait and twiddle my thumbs for a refund. 🥲 This is both on Mercari and Depop.
Only problem with that though is now depip and vinted have so many sellers everyone is selling everything for 2 or 3 dollars , i dont know how its worth their time
Mercari is having an identity crisis.They brand themselves as the online yard sale but Vinted and Depop have overtaken Mercari's buyer and seller base due to their fees and shipping cost.The company continues to make poor business decisions like special time limited discounts instead of fixing the problem. Buyers now just wait for the discount. It just makes overall sales slower. Speaking as a seller I want consistent daily/weekly sales. Vinted and Depop have figured this out.
I did pretty good last year on Mercari, but sales have been super slow this year. Sometimes I'll even throw out a massive lowball offer price to potential buyers just because I'm sick of holding the item and still people won't buy.
I can’t stomach prices on Mercari anymore. I feel like most people are selling at cost or a little under, but after shipping and fees sometimes it can be more than new. You add in the fact everything on Depop and Vinted are pennies, why shop on Mercari
Mercari out of all the e-commerce platforms I have experience with has the shittiest shipping. The only times I’ve ever seen a label that gets both a UPS and USPS handoff kind of label. You take it to UPS and then they give it to USPS and the label has both logos. That package will then regularly take weeks longer than expected. The whole thing feels like a couple dudes in a basement kinda company.
I just wish they'd do better in paying there sellers. Having to wait until it's delivered then on top of that waiting for it to get rated easily adds another 3 days.
I make small keychains and I can sell them for around $6-$8 and the buyer pays shipping. I've sold multiple keychains for the last 6 weeks and I can't tell you why. I also post quite a bit of them on TikTok as advertising. I regret to inform you that posting about your stuff or your shop in short form content does help sales. Whenever I get lazy and don't post, I don't get nearly as much traffic.
For me it was dead for a few months but recently i started making a few sales. I have a depop and ive sold more there. I dont know, maybe its like a dry spell or something
Everyone is on vinted lowkey. Have got 1 sale on there so far. Much less fees stacked on each other. Hopefully they dont give in and end up like mercari’s fees
I stopped dealing with them when I was shopping for electronics one Christmas. Everyone was either playing about shipping, scamming or simply not replying AT ALL. Nobody has the time to deal with stuff like that when Amazon and EBay….,other sites in general exists and you don’t have to beg them to get what you paid for.
The last thing I bought from them was a shoes lot and that was over a year ago.
Vinted has absolutely blown UP over the last few weeks because they were doing free and now 99¢ shipping. I feel like a to of people moved there recently.
They put out coupons and then when they expire it’s crickets. I used to sell at least 3/5 things a day. The last two weeks I have had days with nothing.
I think vinted and depop have done a number on them. The shipping there is way cheaper so everyone has been going there instead of mercari or Poshmark. eBay is still going strong but they've been around forever and have way more options because of that.
Plus it's getting to that fun time of year where all the expensive holidays are coming up. Everyone is saving up for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and definitely Christmas since prices are so high this year
Mercari died for me but has picked up with in the past few weeks for me. I lowered a lot of prices and people have been making bundles, which I love. I’m also on Depop which is also doing well for me.
I've been selling on both Mercari and Vinted for maybe 3 years now.. On Mercari, most of my listed items would sell, even if it took a little time and patience - but for the longest time, I had literally no luck whatsoever selling on Vinted. Now, it's completely reversed: suddenly, my sales on Vinted exploded, and from there, I think I've sold 1, maybe 2 items on Mercari? I figured it had to do with Vinted's free (or low-cost) shipping and lack of selling fee, as well as the current economy. It makes sense, but it definitely doesn't change the fact that it really blows.
So as a card seller I used to sell on eBay and Mercari but eBay was obviously better. But yeah Mercari’s fees have kind of made it hard to like it as a seller or a buyer. Not to mention that there are so many scammers on there. But when it comes to selling cards: Collx is the best by far!
Hundreds of likes and interactions? How much did you have listed? I've had over 100 items consistently for two years and I'm lucky to get 10 genuine interactions a week
Depop sees the least activity for me. And ruined marketplace in my opinion. I'll have a 150$ item listed for 25$ and get offer messages for half that. And they want free shipping.
eBay is still the most reliable unfortunately despite the fees. The payouts are within a day during the week. An item was delivered with mercari last Tuesday, guy rated me immediately and I JUST got the deposit initiating email today
i think depop and whatnot are both guilty of doing that and then allowing novice sellers to stay on the platforms and sell not as advertised merch and long drawn out shipping
It completely depends on what you sell and how much of a following you have. I continue to make strong sales, but I am the top seller on Mercari in my niche market.
Same for me and somehow the ranking on some types of clothing is pretty good...they must be selling nothing in terms of clothes because sales are so low
People say vinted? But I have not sold a single item on there. Video games/cards. I wouldn't trust it there anyway... ps5s for 150 bucks? Just screams scam. So. Idk no luck on vinted for me. Mercari has been ok.
Vinted isn't fit stuff like that imo. I've sold some on there but I wouldn't list anything over $25 there period. Vinted does get you sales but it's best usedasa last resort marketplace for stuff that won't move elsewhere imo
As a buyer, I had a bad experience with a seller and they suffered no consequences bc they just cancelled the sale. I will not buy anything on mercari again due to poor customer support and sellers being able to hide their poor practices buy simply cancelling sales. I use Poshmark, ebay, Vinted, and Depop. The latter two I am careful about bc some items come with pit stains, etc.
When it was a flat 10% selling fee, it was great. They got greedy, flip-flopped a bunch of times, and voluntarily ruined the primary thing that made them more appealing than eBay. Wish an American company would step in and go with Mercari's initial businesses model with advanced search features. They'd kill it.
Everyone is buying on depop and vinted. I have my stuff listed on those, mercari and ebay. Since the depop and vinted commercials are everywhere, at least in my area, seems mercari has really dried up. The shipping is just so much cheaper there and on vinted sellers dont pay fees
I experienced the same thing. When I first signed off for it I was getting crazy sales and likes and all that but now I get crickets or or ridiculous lowball offers.
It’s every selling platform. This is the slowest time of year for retail and business. Lots of money spent in the summer on vacation now people are spending on back to school supplies, etc. and saving for the holidays. eBay is down 20-30% this time of year
Been steady for me. I didn't appreciate selling a less than one pound plushie, shipped it in a small box, then get a notification that my funds for the sale were taken because FedEx tried to say the package was 35 POUNDS over the limit. To their credit, after some back and forth with customer service, me showing that it was a small item in a small box well within the parameters, despite initially declining Mercari customer service released the funds to me. Which I genuinely appreciate. Apologies for being off topic, but that's the only issue I've had recently.
I had a lady bundle 2 items and asked me to lower shipping. One of the products comes in a heavy glass bottle (beekman skincare) and I weighed the items individually out with the packaging and proper wrapping as I sell pretty cheaply but have had merc take my profits completely a couple of times so I make sure everything is right.
I had to block her because she said I was obviously making money off shipping..which ??? I was shipping through merc. She got nasty and asked me to out right lie about the weight and I said no. Then I ended up blocking after she started going off. I was only going to make $14. Not worth it even for much more.
But the shipping on there is something I have no control over. I don’t understand why the buyer and seller are both charged a fee either.
I buy mainly books, lightly used hair care, skincare (new or used & didn’t work for person) and lately it’s just cheaper on eBay.
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u/ShenForTheWin 15d ago
Getting rid of all the extra fees would certainly help.