Sell on Mercari: Step by Step Guide For Beginners

Are you wondering how to sell on Mercari? In this article, I will share with my step by step guide to start selling on the platform, and answer all your questions about making money as a Mercari seller.

Why you should start selling Mercari?

Mercari is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell almost anything. Here are some reasons why you should sell on Mercari:

• You can sell anything from clothes, shoes, purses, furniture, electronics and more on Mercari. As long as an item is legal and authentic, you should be able to list it and sell it.

• You can sell on Mercari using your phone (Mercari app) or your computer (Mercari website).
• Mercari doesn’t limit the number of items you can list. You can sell few items as a part time seller or thousands of items as a full time seller.
• You can sell your items to all users in the marketplace or only in your neighborhood using Mercari Local.
• Creating an account and listing on Mercari is completely free. (Learn about Mercari fees in the next section).
• Mercari allows you to ship items even when you don’t have access to a printer to print labels. Just show a USPS Post Office the QR code on your phone, and they’ll scan and ship your package off.
• Mercari is one of the fastest growing online marketplaces. Based on Statista, Mercari, Inc. recorded over 20 million monthly active users in 2022, an increase from 8.5 million users reported in fiscal 2017.

How much fees does Mercari take?

You can create and list all your items on Mercari for free. You don’t need to pay any store fees or advertising fees. You only get charged a fee when an item is sold and a transaction is complete.

Mercari Fees Table:

How To Sell on Mercari Today Step by Step:

1- Create a Mercari account:

Creating a Mercari account is very easy. Just tap “Sign up” from the Mercari homepage, then fill out your email, username, and password. Lastly, enter your phone number to verify. (Sign Up Here)

2- Access the listing page:

Go to the mercari app and click on the “sell” tab in the bottom of the screen, or log in to the Mercari website and click on the “List an item” tab in the top right corner of the home page.

3- List a new item:

Listing an item on mercari can be quick and easy. Follow this step by step guide to list your items quickly and easily.

• Add photos: You can upload or drag and drop up to 12 photos when you list an item. Make sure that your photos are clear to show the buyer what they are getting and to increase your chances to sell your item quickly.
• Add a title: Try to use the maximum 40 characters allowed by Mercari on your title to include the important keywords that will help your item rank in the search results. Use keywords such as brand, color, size, condition, etc.
• Add a description: Use the 1000 characters allowed by Mercari in your description to convaince the potential buyer to purchase your item. Add brand, size, color, condition, functionality, material, measurements, country of origin, etc., and mention any flaws or damage to avoid returns and bad feedback from buyers.
• Add tags: This section is optional, but it’s important to add the three tags allowed by Mercari. Keywords are important to rank higher in search results.
• Select a category: Make sure you select the right category for your item.
• Add a brand: Some buyers search for specific brands. Adding your item’s brand will increase its chances to be found by potential buyers.
• Select condition: Make sure your selection is accurate. You can choose one of the following conditions: –New (New with tags (NWT). Unopened packaging, unused), –Like New (New without tags (NWOT). No sign of wear,unused), –Good (Gently used, one/few minor flaws, functional), –Fair (Used, functional, multiple flaws/defects), –Poor (Major flaws, may be damaged, for parts).
• Select color: Make sure you select the correct color of your item.
• Shipping: Decide if you want to ship via Mercari or on your own, and if you are offering free shipping or not, then enter your zip code and choose the shipping carrier you will be using (USPS, FEDEX, UPS).
• Set your price: It’s important to check your competition to make sure that your price is not too high or too low.
• Use smart pricing: This feature is optional. If you choose to use it, you will be asked to set the minimum price you are willing to accept for your item (floor price). Mercari will continute to send offer automatically to potential buyers until it hits the floor price.

4- Provide good customer service:

Provide good customer service by answering questions, responding to requests quickly and efficiently, offering discounts when appropriate and courteously shipping your items. Adding a personal touch by sending a Thank You card is always appreciated.

Sell on Mercari – FAQ:

In this next section I’ve answered some of the most common questions about selling on Mercari. If you still can’t find your answer, head over to the comment section and drop me a line.

1- How does Mercari local work?

Mercari Local is a new way to buy and sell locally. Here are the steps to sell your items locally on the platform:

• Select Mercari Local in the delivery section when you list your item.
• Once your item sells, Mercari will ask you to schedule a time for a Uber driver to come and pick it up.
• Place the item sold for pickup (The Uber driver will pick up the item at your chosen time).
• Get Paid (The buyer pays for delivery starting at $7.99. You get paid when the buyer rates the transaction).

2- How to delete sold items on Mercari?

To delete sold items on Mercari, sign in to your account, tap your profile image. In the drop down menu, tap My Listings. Scroll to COMPLETE in the left sidebar menu. Listed there should be items that you’ve sold, find and tap View Order on an item that you wish to remove from this page. Finally, click Remove Listing.

Keep in mind that you can only delete a sold item after 14 days from the last status update, including rating and communication with the buyer.

3- How to put your Mercari account on vacation mode?

Step 1: Sign in to your Mercari account.

Step 2: From the top right corner click on your profile picture.

Step 3: In the drop down menu click on Account Settings.

Step 4: Click on Vacation from the left side menu.

Step 5: Select a Start Date and End Date of your vacation and click Save.

Follow these same steps to put your account on vacation mode if you are using the Mercari app.

4- Can I have more than one account on Mercari?

Mercari allows one account per person. If you have multiple accounts on the Mercari App, you risk having all your accounts closed without warning.

5- Can I return an item on Mercari?

Mercari will allow a buyer to return an item purchased in the platform if:

• The item received is not as described.
• The item is potentially counterfeit.
• The item is Prohibited.(Learn More about prohibited items on Mercari).
• The item is damaged.
• The item is defective.
• The wrong item was received

6- How to cancel an offer on Mercari?

When you make an offer on Mercari, the price you offered becomes locked in. The moment a seller accepts the offer, you are charged the offer price.

If you send an offer by mistake or change your mind, you have to send a request to the seller as soon as you can and ask them to decline your offer. If they’ve already accepted it, you can ask them to cancel the transaction.

7- How to search for a seller on Mercari?

Unfortunately you can’t search for a Seller on Mercari by using their username. The only way to find a seller is if you know an item they’re selling, then search for them and click on the seller profile picture.

8- How to block someone on Mercari?

9- If you Block Someone on Mercari, Can they see your listings?

A blocked Mercari user will be able to see your stores profile, reviews, ratings and sales. Blocking a user on the platform will stop them from massaging you and making offers on your listings.

10- How to bundle items on Mercari?

There isn’t a feature to bundle items on Mercari, but you can message the buyer and ask them about the items they want to purchase, once they confirm their selection you can create a bundle listing that includes all the items, message the buyer back to let them know that the bundle listing is ready for them to buy.

You will need to ship all the items in one package, and remember to delete all the listings that were bundeled.

11- Where can I find inventory to sell on Mercari?

You can start by searching your house for items you don’t use anymore, Asking family and friends, and checking the city you live in for the following stores and opportunities: Goodwill stores, Goodwill Outlet stores, Consignment shops, Pawn Shops, Thrift stores, Salvation Army stores and auctions, Storage auctions, local auctions, Curated second-hand shops, Discount Retail stores (TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross…), Garage sales, Yard sales, Estate sales, Church sales, School sales, Offer Up or Let Go Apps, Outlet Malls, etc.

You can also find cheap items to resell on Mercari online (Craiglist, Facebook Groups, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Bulq liquidations, Online auctions, etc).