Mercari vs Poshmark Review: Which One is Better? - The Income Spot (2023)

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Have you considered selling your clothes and want to know which is better Mercari vs Poshmark? If you’ve got a ton of extra stuff just lying around cluttering your closets, you’re probably thinking about tossing it or donating it. Luckily, thanks to a plethora of buyer-seller websites and apps, you can turn that trash into cash instead.

Mercari and Poshmark are two apps that let you sell your stuff online, and each one has its own set of unique features.

Before you take pics and hit that sell button, check out a few discerning differences that I’ve found between these two super-popular selling apps. This Mercari vs Poshmark review will help you decide which one suits your needs best.

What is Poshmark?

If you’re like me, you probably have plenty of clothes you’ve either outgrown or that you just simply shoved to the back of your closet. With Poshmark, you’ll enjoy an easy way to sell off those outdated shoes or that handbag you just never take anywhere anymore.

According to the company, they offer people a “Completely new way to shop” and claim that they’re the biggest social commerce marketplace for reselling your new and used items. One discerning feature of Poshmark is that you can share your listings with other users and re-post them on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, all from the app.

To entice buyers, you need to sell your goods for less than retail. If your item is new with tags, don’t expect to resell it for full price.

When it comes to finding the perfect pieces, Poshmark has over 5,000 brands for sale, which makes the app a truly impressive marketplace. Poshmark was founded in 2011 and got a hefty $87M investment in 2017 which really helped them become even more competitive. The debate of whether Mercari vs Poshmark is one that many people ask about.

What is Mercari?

Mercari reviews can help you determine if you want to make money with another type of clothing app. Another terrific app you can use to make extra money selling your stuff. This app is a cinch to use, and it offers a user-friendly interface.

While Poshmark focuses mainly on clothing, shoes, and accessories, Mercari allows you to sell a wider range of goods. The app has grown significantly in the past few years and is a fierce competitor in the reselling app world.

Part of the appeal that Mercari offers sellers is its quick and simple posting function. All you must do is take a picture from your smartphone, upload it, create the listing, and you’re good to go.

And while Mercari and Poshmark are similar in some ways, Mercari leads the way when it comes to being able to sell a much wider variety of stuff. A hallmark of the Mercari app is the low prices that sellers offer. This means you can get great deals, but as a seller, you might take a minor pay cut in comparison to other selling websites or apps.

However, if you need to move items quickly, Mercari seems to have more customer engagement and quicker turnaround times if you’re in need of some fast cash.

Mercari vs Poshmark Review: Key Differences Between the Two

Mercari and Poshmark are both online marketplaces for buying and selling used clothing, accessories, and other items. However, there are some key differences between the two platforms:

1. Mercari vs Poshmark User base: Mercari has a larger user base, but Poshmark has a more fashion-focused community.
2. Listing process: Mercari allows you to list items with a few taps, while Poshmark requires a more detailed listing process, including taking photos and writing a description.
3. Mercari vi Poshmark Fees: Mercari charges a flat 10% fee on sales, while Poshmark charges a flat $2.95 fee for sales under $15 and a 20% fee for sales over $15.
4. Shipping: Mercari requires the seller to ship the item to the buyer, while Poshmark offers a prepaid shipping label.
5. Verification: Poshmark has a verification process for high-end items, while Mercari does not.

Both Mercari and Poshmark have their own pros and cons, and the choice between the two will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Whether you are looking for a platform with a large user base, an easy listing process, or low fees, it is important to consider the key differences between Mercari and Poshmark before making your decision.

What You Can Sell on Mercari vs Poshmark?

If clothes and shoes are your side hustle, Poshmark is king. The app really focuses on women’s clothing, accessories, and shoes, but they also have several other categories or “marketplaces.”

Poshmark offers you the chance to sell men’s clothing and kid’s clothing, and they’ve recently added home goods and a wholesale section, too. The ability to sell fragrances and makeup were popular for a while, but for now, the category is no longer available to sellers or buyers.

When it comes to cleaning out your garage, you may be better off with Mercari. Of course, you can easily sell handbags, clothing, and shoes here, too, but the focus is really on virtually anything you can imagine.

Mercari offers a wide range of categories for buyers and sellers to choose from. This includes things like videos, collectibles, and even coins or antiques. You can think of Mercari as an open-air bazaar, while Poshmark is more of a high-end clothing and accessories boutique.

Many people prefer selling on Amazon. Check out our Amazon Selling Tools here.

What are the best-selling items on Mercari vs Poshmark

The best items to sell on Mercari and Poshmark will depend on a few factors, including the target audience, the platform’s focus, and current trends. However, here are some popular items that sell well on both platforms:

• Clothing and fashion accessories: Both Mercari and Poshmark are great platforms for selling gently used clothing and accessories, such as shoes, handbags, and jewelry.
• Beauty and personal care items: Beauty and personal care items, such as skincare and makeup products, sell well on both platforms, especially if they are new or gently used.
• Home goods and decor: Home goods and decor, such as furniture, bedding, and kitchen items, also sell well on both Mercari and Poshmark, especially if they are in good condition.
• Tech and electronics: Both platforms also allow you to sell tech and electronics items, such as smartphones, laptops, and gaming systems.
• Collectibles and vintage items: Poshmark is known for having a strong vintage and collectible market, so items such as vintage clothing, designer handbags, and collectible items are popular on the platform.

Ultimately, the best items to sell on Mercari and Poshmark will depend on the demand for those items and the competition for similar items. You may want to consider researching current trends and the demand for specific items before listing your items for sale.

Mercari vs Poshmark App Comparison

All in all, both Poshmark and Mercari make selling your stuff quick and easy. And even with their differences, they both make earning money a profitable endeavor as long as you list your items well enough to attract buyers.

Both apps can be downloaded for iPhone and Android, and each one has a website where you can browse and list there, too. You can download and use each app for free, although there are fees involved with every transaction, which I’ll discuss further later.

If you want to sell things just hanging around the house, both apps are viable options. Many sellers choose to download and use both and cross-post certain items on each app until their listing sells.

Fees comparison

As a side hustler and a seller, fees can be a major downside to listing your stuff online. Poshmark charges their sellers a pretty hefty fee of 20%. That means if you sell something for $10, you’ll make a whopping $8 for each sale at that price.

Mercari’s fees are much lower and are currently 10% per transaction. That means you stand to make more money if your Versace handbag sells on Mercari for the same price you have it listed on Poshmark.

One way to avert the sting of fees is to list your items for a bit higher price. This gives you wiggle room when you get offers, and it lessens the pain you’ll feel in your wallet with the seller fees.

For both apps, fees are taken out before you get paid unlike eBay, which sends sellers a monthly invoice of their total seller’s fees after they accumulate.

Everything you ship with Poshmark goes through US Postal Service Priority Mail, which means your buyers will get their items quickly. So, what’s the downside? Poshmark charges a whopping $6.99 for every sale, which can turn some buyers off. Paying almost $7 to ship a bra or necklace might not make it worth the purchase for a few customers.

Mercari’s shipping charges are much more flexible and vary by weight and by carrier. They offer UPS, USPS, and Fed Ex for shipping services. Their charges start at $4.25 for items weighing under eight ounces and go as high as $160 for items weighing up to 150 pounds.

Each app sends you an automatic shipping label via email so you can print it and attach it to your package. This is so much easier than having to go to the post office to weight and mail items, and you can get your goods out the door pretty quickly.

Poshmark and Mercari expect their sellers to ship items in about three days or less. If you fail to ship the item, they reserve the right to cancel the transaction and may do so automatically.

Tips for Selling on Poshmark

I’ve had a fair amount of success tips for selling on Poshmark, with Free People being my most popular-selling brand. If you want to be successful here, the first suggestion is to post clear photos with great lighting.

Buyers looking for nice gently used or new clothing and they want to see each piece in natural light and shown from as many angles as possible. Hang your pieces on a mannequin or bust if you have one. If you don’t, display them on a hanger against a white wall and snap your photos that way.

Another great tip? Share your items frequently. The more you share your stuff with your followers or to Poshmark “parties,” the better the odds that more people will see your listings.

Mercari Reviews: Tips for Selling on Mercari

If I need quick cash, I find that Mercari is a great option since I typically tend to get more sales at a faster rate. In order to be successful, you should first list as many items as you can so more people see your listings and your profile.

Once you have some “likes,” you can use Mercari’s promote button to lower the price and give customers a private sale offer. You can also use the promote option to reduce the price and bump your listings back to the top of search results.

I also find that posting great descriptions and using hashtags will make your listings turn up in searches. Make sure you choose the correct category, color, and brand name so people can find your listings more easily.

My biggest surprise? I sold a dress from BHLDN on Mercari for a fair amount, even though it was listed on both apps. This just goes to show you never really know where your next sale will come from.

Try to find other Mercari vs Poshmark reviews on the net if you are feeling unsure.

Customer Reviews for Mercari vs Poshmark

Mercari and Poshmark both have a mix of positive and negative customer reviews. Here are some common themes seen in customer reviews for both platforms:

Mercari:

• Positive: Many users praise Mercari for its user-friendly interface, easy listing process, and low fees.
• Negative: Some users have reported issues with customer service, including a lack of response to customer complaints. Others have reported issues with receiving payments or with shipping delays.

Poshmark:

• Positive: Many users love Poshmark for its fashion-focused community and the ability to easily find and buy unique items. Some users also appreciate the verification process for high-end items.
• Negative: Some users have reported issues with customer service, including a lack of response to customer complaints. Others have reported difficulty selling items due to the platform’s competitive nature and the high fees for sales over $15.

It’s worth noting that customer reviews for both platforms are subjective and may vary depending on individual experiences. However, these common themes give a general idea of what customers have to say about Mercari and Poshmark.

Getting Paid on Mercari vs Poshmark

And now for the fun part: getting paid. Both apps offer you the option to use your proceeds as a credit towards another purchase through the app. You can also request payment via direct deposit that goes right into your bank account.

Each app requires the buyer to rate you before you can see your earnings. Most buyers rate quickly, but sometimes it can take a day or longer to get a response. You can always ask the app to remind your buyer to rate you.

Mercari gives buyers three days to rate their sellers. Poshmark does the same, and each one sends reminders automatically. After the three-day window, you’re automatically rated and your earnings will be there waiting for you.

You can let your money accumulate and do a large deposit or you can choose to deposit each transaction as you earn it. The choice is yours, which makes both apps a great option for side hustlers in need of fast cash.

Deciding which platform works for you will come down to what type of items you are selling, who your demographic is, also your patience with working with the individual marketplaces, etc…

Let us know if you have used either Mercari or Poshmark and what you think of them.

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