Mercari is an online marketplace where users can buy and sell new and used items. It’s similar to other online marketplaces where the reselling products can be found. But, like with any online marketplace, you should exercise caution when using it. There has been some controversy around Mercari, with some users reporting problems with their transactions. Despite this, the majority of Mercari users have had positive experiences with the app.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the different Mercari reviews our community has about the platform. The Mercari reviews are important, as they provide insight into the opinion of customers and help to ensure that the quality of products and services remains high. With an increasing number of shoppers turning to Mercari, understanding what the other customers think is essential for improving your shopping experience.
The bad: Feedback from our community about Mercari
Unfortunately, not all Mercari reviews are positive. Some users have reported difficulty with seller communication and slow shipment. Others have experienced problems with customer service, such as being unable to get help when they need it or dealing with unresponsive staff.
While Mercari does have some satisfied customers, there are also plenty of users who are less than thrilled with the app. In Trustpilot, a website where people can leave reviews for businesses, Mercari reviews have an overall rating of 2.8/5 as of December 2022.
Here are some of the most common complaints about the Mercari:
1. High fees
Mercari is a great way to get rid of stuff you don’t want anymore. But while listing an item in Mercari is totally free, there are other fees that can be pretty high. Mercari’s high fees are often the topic of most of the Mercari reviews. Many sellers are disappointed with all the fees you should note before using the platform:
| 10% selling fee | For every completed sale |
| 2.9% + $0.50 payment processing fee | For every completed sale |
| $2 fee | For each direct deposit transfer below $10 For each direct deposit transfer rejected by your financial institution and returned back to your Mercari balance. For each completed Instant Pay transfer |
So, if you’re selling something for $100, you’ll only get $86, based on the sample computation below provided by Mercari. And if you’re withdrawing $100, you’ll only get $98. These fees can really add up, especially if you’re a frequent seller. If you’re not careful, you could end up losing a significant amount of money to fees.
When you factor in all the additional costs associated with selling on Mercari (shipping, packaging materials, etc.), it’s easy to see why so Mercari reviews are about sellers becoming discouraged and leaving the platform altogether. Here are the effects of having high fees on Mercari:
- For sellers, there is the psychological burden of having items listed for weeks or months without any buyers – making it feel like your time and energy have been wasted.
- Buyers can feel ripped off when paying too much for products due to extra fees.
- There are fewer sellers on Mercari than there are on eBay.
- Sellers are less likely to offer discounts or free shipping because they’re already paying so much in fees.
For sellers, one way to reduce the fees is to sell in bulk. Sellers can usually get a discount on the fees if they sell multiple items at once.
2. Customer service issues
When it comes to customer service, Mercari reviews get mixed opinions. Some users have had positive experiences, while others have had negative ones. According to Mercari reviews from TrustPilot, Customer service agents follow the same formats in their responses and are not able to assist or solve users’ problems.
Customer service is horrible and they only follow the manual with the same form letter over and over again. They have no technical support, no seller help, and do not even try to assist customer. I tried to update my information on my profile and they won’t allow it. Even offered a copy of my ID and CC to confirm and they said they cannot do it. So incompetent and sad.
Mercari U.S. reviewed by Carlo B on 1/2/2023 (trustpilot.com)
In addition, Mercari does not have a phone number for customers to call. This means that if buyers have an issue with an order, they have to go through their customer support system, which can be very slow. Some customers have also complained that Mercari often underestimates the value of items when offering refunds, leaving them feeling shortchanged on their purchases.
3. Poor condition of the item
According to Sitejabber, another reputable review site, Mercari ranks 420th among all online selling platforms. Out of the almost 2,000 reviews on their site, Mercari reviews only has an overall rating of 1.35/5 as of December 2022. Most of the reviews are about buyers who are not happy with the quality and condition of the items they received.
Many resellers find Mercari a useful platform for finding reselling products due to its wide selection of items. And it is necessary for resellers to receive items in good condition. However, they may find that items have not been cleaned, or have significant damage that was not disclosed in the listing. This can be a major inconvenience for buyers, as it can be difficult to return or exchange an item that has already been shipped. In addition, some sellers may intentionally misrepresent the condition of their items in order to make them appear to be in better shape than they actually are.
Some damages are also caused when the item is in transit. While this is not completely the seller’s fault, it can make it difficult for them to sell items in the future. If you have a lot of bad feedback, potential buyers will be less likely to purchase from you. In addition, bad feedback can also lead to your account being suspended or even banned from the site.
4. Issues on return policy
While Mercari does offer a return policy, there are some issues that customers have experienced. In some of the Mercari reviews from the community, the most common complaints involving returns include:
- The process is too complicated
- Users are not properly informed of how to go about returning their items
- The return window is quite limited, with customers only having a few days to initiate a return
- Mercari refuses to accept some returns even if the item is still within the return window
The return policy on Mercari can be a bit of a touchy subject for some customers. The website does allow you to return an item within three days of receiving it, but the process is not always easy. Many Mercari reviews show customers have reported difficulty in getting their money back from Mercari, as well as having to pay return shipping fees. This can be especially difficult if the item that was purchased was not as advertised or if it arrived damaged.
Additionally, Mercari does not provide refunds or exchanges for items that have been used or worn. As such, customers should be careful when making purchases and should always double-check the description of the item before completing their purchase.
All these issues on returns can be extremely frustrating for customers and it leaves them feeling like they don’t have any recourse when it comes to getting their money back.
5. Unfair buyer/seller policies
One of the most common complaints about Mercari is its unfair seller and buyer policies. Some users have said that Mercari favors buyers over sellers. When buyers and sellers have a disagreement, Mercari often sides with the seller in order to protect their own interests.
For example, if a buyer receives an item that is not as described, they can open a case against the seller and Mercari will automatically side with the buyer, regardless of whether or not the seller actually did anything wrong. This puts a lot of financial burden on the seller, who may have to refund the buyer out of their own pocket.
Below is another Mercari review about siding with buyers.
They side with the buyers no matter what. Had someone buy a expensive pair of shoes from me then a day before he received them he asked for a refund stating they were fakes yet he hadn’t even received them yet I replied to Mercari and said i have the receipt BUT even though a buyer can send pictures the seller cannot so I couldn’t even send them a picture of the receipt. They sided with the buyer and then i received back a completely different pair of shoes. Contacted mercari to reply to the return and nothing.
Mercari U.S. reviewed by Scammed in ok on 12/9/2022 (trustpilot.com)
Here are other issues about unfair policies for both buyers and sellers in the Mercari:
For buyers:
- Being able to receive refunds without returning the item
- Accounts being shut down incorrectly
For sellers:
- Not receiving payment for sold items
- Items being wrongly removed from the platform
Overall, Mercari provides an easy way to buy and sell used items at reasonable prices. However, the lack of fair policies means buyers and sellers alike are left vulnerable to potential Mercari scams and mistreatment.
The good: Why our community loves Mercari
Positive Mercari reviews are essential to keep the business going, but negative ones can be just as valuable. And despite the occasional negative review, there are still good reasons to use Mercari.
Mercari is a great way to make some extra cash and declutter your home at the same time. It is one of the most popular selling apps on the market, and for good reason. Our community loves Mercari because it’s easy to use, has a wide variety of items, and offers great prices. Many of the Mercari reviews praise the app’s convenience and ease of use, with buyers noting that they can purchase items quickly and easily.
Other than these, our community also loves Mercari for:
1. The convenience of buying and selling in one place
Mercari offers a convenient one-stop shop for buying and selling items. You can find everything from clothes to electronics to home goods, all in one place, and with just a few clicks. Plus, since Mercari is a mobile app, you don’t even need to leave your house to make a purchase. This allows you to shop from anywhere at any time.
2. The amazing selection
With a wide variety of clothing, accessories, electronics, home decor, and more, you can find exactly what you’re looking for at a price that fits your budget. You can even find deals on Mercari with the “Deals” section where you can get discounts on items that have been marked down in price by other sellers. And if you’re looking for something specific, Mercari has an advanced search feature that will help you quickly and easily find what you’re looking for.
3. Less competition vs other online selling platforms
As a seller, Mercari is a great platform to sell items because it isn’t as crowded as other popular reselling platforms. There are fewer people trying to sell the same items, so your chances of making a sale are much higher.
Mercari is a newer marketplace compared to others like eBay or Amazon which had years of success. This means that there are not as many people in Mercari who have established their presence on this platform yet, so you don’t have to worry about competing with veteran sellers for sales.
The verdict: Should you use Mercari?
Ultimately, the answer depends on your own preferences and needs. Mercari has both its strengths and weaknesses, as do all other online selling platforms. If you’re planning to start a reselling business, and are looking for an easy-to-use marketplace to quickly get rid of old items or find affordable deals, Mercari is worth a try. Its wide selection, convenient features, and user-friendly design make it a great choice for buyers and sellers alike.
However, if you’re looking for a more reliable platform with better customer service and more stringent quality control measures in place, Mercari may not be the right choice for you. It’s important to weigh up the pros and cons before making any decisions.
Overall, Mercari provides an interesting shopping and also selling experience that could be just what you need. There is a wide selection of things you can sell on Mercari. So if you’re thinking of selling in Mercari, our community feedback suggests that it’s worth giving it a try – just make sure to read feedback from other regular users so you can get an accurate picture of how the platform works in real life circumstances!
