Mercari vs. Poshmark – Which Is Better For Selling Online?

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Last Updated on March 16, 2023 by Bree

Do you want to compare Mercari vs. Poshmark to see which is better for selling online?

If you are a newbie reseller, you may want to know the difference between Mercari and Poshmark and the similarities, benefits, and shortcomings of both selling apps.

And that’s what I plan to share with you in this post so you can make an informed decision.

Let’s dive in.

Mercari vs. Poshmark For Sellers – Which Is Better?

Cost of listing

Listing on Poshmark is free, likewise Mercari.

Poshmark vs. Mercari selling fees

selling fees

Poshmark selling fee is $2.95 for sales under $15.

But for sales over $15, Poshmark takes 20% while you get 80%.

Mercari selling fees

Mercari takes 10% of every sale you make, no matter how much that item costs.

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Mercari Fees – What You Need To Know Before Getting Started

Cost of shipping

Poshmark shipping rates

Poshmark has a standard shipping cost of $7.97 with USPS priority mail, no matter the item’s size, weight(in some cases), or cost.

You can upgrade the shipping label if the item(s) you’re shipping gets too heavy.

Mercari shipping rates

While Mercari has various shipping rates based on the item’s weight.

And several shipping companies to choose from (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.).

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Free shipping

Poshmark free shipping

Because of Poshmark’s standard shipping rate of $7.97 and the 20% selling fee, offering free shipping may not be ideal for some sellers.

But that depends on the seller.

Another way Poshmark sellers offer free shipping is through offers to likers.

So the seller can give discounted shipping or completely free shipping.

And some Poshmark sellers list items with free shipping.

Mercari free shipping

Now Mercari, on the other hand, has several shipping fees, even as low as $4.00.

But Mercari’s shipping fee has been outrageous recently.

Shipping items that weigh over 1 lb with USPS prepaid label go as high as $13 on Mercari.

So if you’re selling anything over 1 lb on Mercari, please consider the buyer and use FedEx.

Bundling on Poshmark vs. Mercari

Mercari Bundles

Mercari buyers always notify you if they want to buy bundles.

And if the bundle weighs more, you must tell the buyer so you can upgrade the shipping label.

Poshmark bundles

As a Poshmark seller, you can sell bundles to buyers.

And Poshmark makes it easy for buyers to make bundles from your closet.

So all you have to do is pack and ship the items.

Some Poshmark sellers offer discounts on bundles too.

But if the bundle gets too heavy, you can upgrade the shipping label to fit the weight of the order.

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Making Offers on Poshmark vs. Mercari

Seller sending offers to likers on Poshmark.

To send an offer to your likers on Poshmark, you MUST reduce the item’s price and offer a lower shipping rate too.

You cannot bypass that.

Offering lower shipping is a requirement for sending offers on Poshmark.

So if the buyer is supposed to pay $7.97, you can offer a shipping rate of $4.99 or $5.95.

And all these extras would be deducted from your profit.

Mercari seller sending offers to likers.

When you send an offer to likers on Mercari, you only have to offer a lower price.

But the shipping stays the same.

Making videos of your listing

Poshmark video listing

Poshmark sellers can make short videos of their listings and upload them to the app.

Which helps buyers see the product better.

Videos on Mercari

But Mercari does not have the video listing feature.

Listing stories like social media

Poshmark stories

I remember saying Poshmark is a lot like Instagram because of the followers, the app interface, and other fancy stuff that happens there.

And they just added another social media feature to Poshmark.

STORIES!

Yes, Poshmark sellers can create stories of their listings.

Which appear on the app’s home screen, and buyers can watch them.

Mercari stories

But Mercari does not have the stories feature.

Referrals

Poshmark

When you refer someone to Poshmark, you make $5 – when they make their first purchase.

Mercari

While Mercari gives you $10 after your referral buys something on Mercari.

And also pay you $40 when your referral sells up to $100.

Sharing your listings, Mercari vs. Poshmark

Sharing your listings on Poshmark

You can share your listing as many times as you want for free within and outside Poshmark.

You can even share your Poshmark listings on Pinterest and Instagram.

How cool is that?

Sharing your listing on Mercari

With Mercari, you can only share your listing for free outside (Twitter).

And if you must share within Mercari, you must use the “promote button” for a fee from your listing price.

So your item gets shared, but the price reduces.

Shipping on your own

Shipping on your own on Poshmark

As a Poshmark seller, you aren’t allowed to ship independently.

Because Poshmark cannot track the purchase and confirm delivery.

So if something goes wrong, you’re not protected by Poshmark.

If your buyer says they didn’t receive the item, Poshmark cannot help you.

Shipping on your own on Mercari

But Mercari sellers can ship independently if they provide a tracking number after shipping.

What you can sell

Items you can sell on Poshmark

Poshmark just recently introduced its home goods market.

So you can sell both wardrobe and home fashion.

Things you can sell on Mercari

But on Mercari, you can sell just about anything if it is useful to the buyer.

Make sure to check the list of prohibited items.

Prepaid shipping label, Mercari vs. Poshmark

Poshmark shipping label

Poshmark sends sellers a prepaid UPSP priority mail shipping label once they make a sale.

Mercari shipping label

While Mercari sellers get a USPS First Class prepaid shipping label to ship your item.

Unless you’re shipping independently.

Returns

Poshmark returns

Your buyer can return an item if it has a flaw you didn’t mention in your listing.

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Poshmark Returns: What To Do When A Buyer Opens A Case, How To Avoid It.

Mercari returns

The same applies to Mercari.

But Mercari would ask you if you want your item back before confirming the return.

Also, you can avoid returns on Mercari by adding to your descriptions that all sales are final.

If a buyer sees that, they wouldn’t initiate returns.

Ratings

Poshmark seller ratings

On Poshmark, your buyer gives you a rating after they receive the item and are satisfied with it.

And then you get paid.

You’re not required to rate the buyer.

Mercari seller ratings

But on Mercari, the buyer rates you first.

Then you must rate them, too, before you get your funds.

Selling On Mercari vs. Poshmark – The Selling App I Prefer and Why

Now that we’ve compared selling on Poshmark to Mercari, I will tell you which of them I prefer and why.

Reasons why I like selling on Mercari

1. On Mercari, conversations and inquiries about listings are private.
2. There are several shipping rates and free shipping, which benefits sellers and buyers.
3. I have made more sales and money on Mercari (obvious reason, right?).

What I dislike about selling on Mercari

1. The buyer initiates a return, and Mercari acts in favor of the buyer before even contacting the seller. You only get a message asking if you want your item back after they have agreed that the buyer can return the item.
2. You don’t get to see your rating from the buyer before you rate them. So their 1-star rating may surprise you after you have rated them 5 stars.
3. Mercari always suggests shipping for your listing; if you are not careful, that shipping cost may keep that item from selling. Imagine a $5 pair of shoes with $11 shipping. I think that’s outrageous. But you don’t have to accept the suggested shipping. So make sure you weigh your products yourself. And also, use your discretion to choose shipping labels on Mercari.

Reasons I like selling on Poshmark

• You can share your listing every day for free.
• Poshmark sellers share each other’s listings. I like that.

Reasons I don’t like selling on Poshmark

• The cost of selling is way too much, no matter how I try to look at it.
• Also, the cost of shipping is too stiff. Imagine paying $7.97 to ship a pair of earrings on Poshmark. In contrast, that pair of earrings would cost $3.99 to ship on Mercari.

Is It Better To Sell On Poshmark Or Mercari?

Both selling platforms have their pros and cons.

I hope this post helps you choose the right one for you.

Do you currently sell on either of these platforms?

We’d love your thoughts “is it better to sell on Poshmark or Mercari? And why?

Please share your thoughts in the comments.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it.

If you have any questions, please ask. I’ll be more than happy to answer them.

Thanks for reading!

Recommended posts

• Buying On Poshmark: 11 Tips For Beginners
• Mercari Buyer Review: How It Works, The Buyers’ Perspective
• How Mercari Works For Sellers Plus Tips To Make Sales.
• Crosslist Cross-posting App: How To Save Time And Make Sales.
• Selling On Poshmark in 2021 | Tips For Making Sales

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