Uncover Secrets to Boosting Your Income Using Mercari’s Marketplace

SIDE HUSTLES
Making Some Extra Cash by Selling on Mercari
Updated November 1, 2023

Looking for a way to make some extra dollars by clearing your unwanted stuff? Considering eBay but dreading the heavy competition? Try Mercari! While it might not be as famous as eBay in the U.S, it surely is a popular platform with a simple commission structure.

Let’s understand how you can start selling on Mercari to make an informed choice.

What is Mercari?
Mercari is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell almost anything that can be shipped, from clothes and accessories to electronics and furniture. It doesn’t facilitate in-person meetings to protect both buyers and sellers from potential fraud. Payments are also processed via the platform. It’s more like eBay than niche platforms like Poshmark, which is only for clothes and accessories.

Why Choose Mercari?
Apart from being an established platform, Mercari:

– Charges a low commission: It applies a flat 10% commission rate only, so you can keep more of your profits.
– Offers easy listing: You can include up to 12 pictures in your listing. The app even has features to fix lighting issues in your pictures.
– Runs Promotions: Occasionally, Mercari offers promotions like reduced commission rates or price drops for a boost in search results.
– Offers Private Chat: You can privately message buyers or sellers, a feature still limited on some platforms.

Getting Started with Selling on Mercari

These are the steps to start selling on Mercari:

1. Create Your Account: Sign up using your email address or Facebook account and verify your account via phone number.
2. Find Items to Sell: Start by selling unwanted items from your house. As you gain experience, you can venture into selling other stuff.
3. Take Photos of Your Items: The better your photos, the more likely they are to sell. Mercari makes it easy to take, edit, and upload photos for your listings.
4. Give the Item a Title: The title should contain most important keywords, including brand name, style name, and model number.
5. Write the Description: If the item is used, be detailed about it. Include the brand name, model name, style, size, and, most importantly, the condition.
6. Select the Appropriate Category: Mercari automatically fills in the category based on the title, but double-check to make sure it fits.
7. Fill in as Many Details as Possible: Be as detailed as possible to avoid potential misunderstandings.
8. Enter Shipping Information: You either allow your buyer to pay for shipping, or offer free shipping.

Fees for Selling on Mercari
Creating a listing on Mercari is free, but a standard selling fee of 10% of the listing price is applied on completed sales. This includes the costs of processing buyer’s payment. Also, you may be charged some other fees like cancellation fee or fee for cashing out via direct deposit.

Tips to Sell Better on Mercari
Now let’s look at some tips that could boost your sales:

– Take pictures in natural light for accurate color representation.
– Use a simple, uncluttered background for your pictures.
– Inspect items for flaws before listing.
– Have all your shipping supplies ready for quick delivery.
– Disclose if you have pets in your home.
– Price your item reasonably.
– Include a small thank you note in your package.
– Keep some spare cash for any returns.
– If you’re planning to sell clothes, use a mannequin for better presentation.

Taking Mercari to the Next Level
Once you’re familiar with Mercari, you might consider turning it into a regular thing. After selling your own items, you can source other items from flea markets, yard sales, auctions, or even Craigslist. You can also find new items from warehouses and manufacturers for a potential profit on Mercari.

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