Mercari is an online shopping platform that allows you to buy and sell all types of products including clothes, electronics products, household items, accessories, etc. Over the last few years, the popularity of Mercari is increasing rapidly, and more and more buyers and sellers are preferring Mercari over other e-commerce platforms. However, is it a good idea to buy and sell products on Mercari? Let’s find out below!
What Is Mercari?
Mercari is a popular Japanese e-commerce platform established in 2013. This company is headquartered in Minato City, Tokyo, Japan but it has offices in the United States. This eCommerce company is quite similar to eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Though it is an online shopping store but it doesn’t sell any products. Basically, Mercari acts as the middleman between buyer and seller and ensures the transactions are completed successfully and legally. So, Mercari offers services like dispute resolution, tracking of order status, shipping the products, payments between parties, etc.
Overview Of Mercari
| Official Website | https://www.mercari.com |
| Founded | February 2013 by Shintaro Yamada |
| Owner | Public Company |
| Location | Minato, Tokyo, Japan |
| Customer Service Contact | https://www.mercari.com/us/help_center/contact |
List Of Products Available On Mercari
| DressesTops & blousesSweatersJeansPantsSkirtsCoats & jacketsSuits & blazersAthletic apparelSwimwearWomen’s handbagsWomen’s accessoriesJewelryMaternityShoesUnderwearShortsSleepwear & RobesTopsSweats & hoodiesSweatersJeansPantsShortsCoats & jacketsBlazers & sports coatsSuitsAthletic apparelSwimwearMen’s accessoriesShoesJewelryBathing & skincareCar seats & accessoriesDiaperingFeedingGearHealth & baby careNurseryPregnancy & maternitySafetyStrollersGirl’s accessoriesGirl’s bottomsGirl’s coats & jacketsGirl’s dressesGirl’s shoesGirls’ swimwearGirls tops & t-shirtsGirls otherBoy’s accessoriesBoy’s tops & t-shirtsGirls one-piecesHome decor | AntiquePaper ephemeraServingBookBags and pursesElectronicsFurnitureTrading cardsCollectible CoinsCollectible Paper MoneyCameras & photographyComputers & LaptopsCell phones & accessoriesTV & VideoVideo games & consolesCar audio, video & GPSMediaComputer Components & PartsWearablesSmart Home & SecurityHome AudioHeadphones & MP3 PlayersTablets & E-readersDronesVirtual RealityTeam sportsExerciseFootwearApparelGolfOutdoorsFan shopBasketball EquipmentFishing GearSnowboarding GearSkateboard GearBaseball EquipmentYoga EquipmentCamping EquipmentSki GearCycling EquipmentBoy’s bottomsBoy’s coats & jacketsBoys one-piecesBoys’ swimwearBoy’s shoesAccessoriesHousewaresSuppliesClothing | Kids’ home storeKitchen & diningBeddingBathHome decorArtworkSeasonal decorHome appliancesStorage & organizationCleaning suppliesKitchen BakewareKitchen Coffee & Espresso MakersKitchen CookwareKitchen DinnerwareKitchen Serve wareKitchen & Table LinensKitchen UtensilsKitchen Small AppliancesKitchen StorageKitchen Bar & Wine AccessoriesBedroom FurnitureHome Office FurnitureLiving Room FurnitureParty SuppliesKitchen CutleryKitchen Baking & Cake AccessoriesKitchen BarwareKitchen DrinkwareKitchen Gadgets & ToolsKitchen Tea & AccessoriesJewelry |
Mercari Shipping Information
The shipping policy of Mercari is excellent. Usually, the average shipping time of Mercari is 3 days from the sale date. If the seller uses a Mercari prepaid label then you will receive the product within 3-4 days which is very fast compared to other eCommerce platforms. The shipping cost depends on the size of the product as well as the shipping address. Mercari only ships to Japan and United States. Usually, Mercari offers 3 prepaid labels to the seller, they are –
1. Small (Up to 1lb) – $5.99
2. Medium (Up to 5lb) – $9.99
3. Large (Up to 40lb) – $45
Return And Refund Of Mercari
Mercari accepts returns from the customers but you have to request a return and refund within 3 days of confirmed delivery. Mercari only accepts returns for defective or not as described products. You won’t be able to return items that you no longer want. If you don’t initiate a return within three days of delivery then you cannot return the item or get a refund. Below are the eligibility requirements for a refund at Mercari –
1. Doesn’t match the listing
2. Possibly not authentic/ counterfeit
3. Doesn’t work
4. Damaged
5. Item is incomplete
6. Wrong item
Moreover, if there is any complaint from the buyer that falls outside of Mercari’s Refund Policy then the Seller may use discretion to accept a refund and item return due to complaints such as:
1. Doesn’t fit
2. Smells
3. Doesn’t match the listing
4. Changed my mind
In order to evaluate the return request, the seller might ask for the following additional information –
1. Provide photos to show the entire item(s) received
2. Highlight the problem area (when applicable)
3. Provide photos of the packaging and full shipping label
4. Serial number or IMEI number (when applicable)
5. Other information as warranted
6. The buyer has to provide the required information or the seller won’t be able to process the refund request.
Is Mercari Legit Or A Scam?
Mercari is a completely legit and reliable eCommerce platform. However, in Mercari you have to deal with 3rd party sellers therefore you have to be cautious with who you are dealing with. All the sellers and buyers of this platform are real and you don’t have to deal with any retailers. Though there is no question about the legitimacy of this platform Mercari can’t guarantee the quality of the product because they don’t produce them. Mercari is like a middleman so, you have to make the call if the person you’re buying from and selling to is trustworthy. But Mercari has an excellent and realistic return and refund policy. So, if there is any problem with your product or if you receive a low-quality product then you have the opportunity to return the product and get a refund.
Customer Reviews Of Mercari
Positive Customer Reviews Of Mercari
Penny Brill said –
“Outstanding product and service, I ordered a metronome. The product was as advertised, arrived quickly, in excellent condition. Very happy with the experience”
Kimberly Alexander said –
“I’ve been selling and buying with Mercari for some time now, and I would say 98% of my experiences have been positive. You can make extra money to supplement your income while getting rid of items you no longer need.”
Cassandra R. said –
“I can get items online in new or used condition for much less. It’s a favorite online shopping site for me. Many of the sellers are quite pleasant and a pleasure to shop from. I have also started selling on Mercari myself and have nothing but good experiences here.”
Christine Keefe Fender said –
“Been using Mercari Buying and selling since it began. No better app out there! Always an excellent response from Mercari when there is an issue. I have even earned referral credits!”
StacyB said –
“I love Mercari!! They are there to assist any time needed. Fast resolutions!! Easy to use the app!! I am extremely satisfied with everything!”
Misti Delgado said –
“I really have no complaints, whenever you have an issue, they get back rather quickly. I’m very satisfied with my selling and purchasing through this app.”
Chris La Rocca said –
“I love this app as I’m able to find excellent deals on all my favorite things and more! I’ll never pay full price for anything ever again! Thank you Mercari for making that possible.”
Negative Customer Reviews Of Mercari
Cece Roebuck said –
“I thought this was going to be a great app. I happened to be very disappointed. I have sold multiple items and the app is not paying me my money. Once I added my bank account information my account became disabled. The account says to give 24-48 hours to review. It has been over a week and I have called and sent multiple emails. I only received one replay that said this is a billing issue give them a day to get this fixed. Now I still have not heard anything and it’s almost 2 weeks now.”
Michele Cregger said –
“What a joke this company is! I purchased new baby knee pads from a seller and they were used. You have three days to report this. Mercari help number disconnects you, the seller doesn’t stand by product so you’re stuck with what you buy! You can’t attach pictures to plead your case and after numerous attempts in asking for an email, I just said forget it and deleted the app! Buyers beware”
Elizabeth Ug said –
“Mercari has no customer service to speak of. Maybe the worst site to buy from. Who gave all the positive reviews?”
Final Verdict
To conclude, Mercari is a trustworthy and genuine eCommerce company with excellent customer ratings. Mercari has both buyer and seller protection to safeguard the users from various scams. So, shop with Mercari tension free!
References:
https://about.mercari.com/en/safety/#:~:text=Mercari%20provides%20its%20users%20with,reliable%20transaction%20service%20for%20everyone.
https://www.lifewire.com/what-are-mercari-scams-and-how-to-protect-yourself-4772326
Last Updated on August 5, 2022 by Ana S. Sutterfield
Magalie D. is a Diploma holder in Public Administration & Management from McGill University of Canada. She shares management tips here in MGTBlog when she has nothing to do and gets some free time after working in a multinational company at Toronto.
