Question

Question for those selling on Mercari! How are you making sales? Any pointers? I have several things listed, clear and detailed photos, 4. 99 shipping. So far I haven’t had any luck and I just get emails about the shipping being too high. I was really hoping to develop a side hustle from home and would love any pointers!  

Answer 1

I offer free shipping and up my price a little bit. When people see free shipping they think they’re getting a good deal. Me included  so I knew it would work lol. I’ve sold tons and tons in the past two months doing it this way.  

Comments

@acme9 I agree with you! Free shipping all the way!  

Answer 2

People that like my stuff I usually give them a discount and they tend to buy fast

Answer 3

Do any of you reccomend selling vintage pieces on there?  

Comments

@hardhack I have vintage replica toddler dress that I made, brand new, and it’s had zero likes. It’s priced at $36 when normally handmade dresses are so expensive. So far, absolutely no interest.  

Answer 4

Promote! You can promote up to 10 items a day and i get notifications when people like my stuff so then I’ll offer them a private, lower price. I always make the buyer pay for shipping too and I’ve had good results!  

Answer 5

Is Mercari worth it? I have a few name brand items I want to sell, and they've been sitting on FB Marketplace for months and haven't budged.  

Comments

@octavia I have had more luck with Mercari than with marketplace.  

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Good to know! How long does it usually take your items to sell?  

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@octavia sometimes immediately and sometimes months. I sold something the other day I had listed for 4 months.  

Answer 6

I sell stuff left and right on there. Just make sure your pricing it compared to other things like yours and then offer free shipping unless it is something large.  

Answer 7

I have zero success with Mercari. My kids wear name brand items. I sell them on brand boards and market place. If it doesn’t not sell there, I take them to a higher end consignment store. I take store credit, because it’s more than cash and I’ll use it. I also sell in local yard sale groups.  

Answer 8

I’ve made over $2k on Mercari! Make sure your pricing it on target to what other list the same thing for. I do not offer free shipping but I do price about $5 more than the lowest price I’m willing to take. That gives me wiggle room to give a discount or if someone asks for free shipping, I offer to split the price. I have really good reviews. I always include a thank you note and if they have spent over a certain amount, I include a free gift.  

Comments

@nathalia286 where do you get the stuff you are selling. I havr gone through my house this weekend.  

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@dorian79 just stuff I’ve acclimated over the years. I have a bit of a shopping problem . But anything I don’t want I list. Some things never sell, and some that I never thought would, have. I will say I only list stuff in great condition. But keep your options open. I list stuff separately, but then I might list a bundle of stuff (like makeup) and sell it all at once

Answer 9

I’ve had great success with Mercari. So far this year I’ve sold over $800. I always include free shipping and most of what I see is clothes so I try to group items together so it’s a better deal for everyone.  

Comments

@farina571 and how much have you spent on shipping and time posting, responding to questions etc and drive time to and from post office this year?  

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@delozier not much at all. I don’t have many questions asked because I put everything in the description with several pictures including flaws. I have the prepaid postage from Mercari and I have a USPS drop box at my office so I don’t go out of the way at all. It’s been a great side hustle for me.  

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@farina571 I tried and a lot didn't sell and then what did I sold but shipping cost 90% of what I sold it for so it just ended up horrible for me

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@delozier I’m sorry. There are things that I only get like $5 but I figure it’s better than sitting in a closet collecting dust!  

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@farina571 true but then I'm like that wasnt worth the time listing and all and should have just donated lol

Answer 10

I Iove Mercari. I used to offer free shipping because I hate to pay shipping but unlike Natalie, that did not need work for me. I did not have as much wiggle room to promote my items. I have had better luck not doing free shipping and promoting my items. I always look up similar items before I post to see what others are charging and then go a Little lower. Give it time, you will sell.  

Answer 11

If shipping was $1 people would pay $3 more for an item than pay $1 for shipping. Its Amazon's fault. I used to work there and I would have this conversation several times a week with people, especially for books. They would get mad that I would suggest a $6 market place book with $3 shipping when they could get the same book from Amazon with free shipping. I was like "ma'am the book with free shipping is $25. The book that you pay shipping on would be $9. "

Answer 12

I’ve hit about 9 sales so far! I haven’t listed a lot. Still have a few things on there. As I can, I list. I do start out a little higher price wise then work my way down the next few days.  

Answer 13

Incorporate the shipping into your list price and make it free shipping. That gets it every time for me. It also will entice me to look at something because it says free shipping. I’ve sold about 800 worth of things on Mercari since January. In the beginning nothing would sell because I had shipping separate. So I raised the price 5 bucks and listed as free shipping and it would sell quick

Comments

@meet745 That’s wild! Do you recommend doing that with new listings or editing ones that are already on there?  

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Do it for both I would say, then promote it public  

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@meet745 I do the same thing. I have made $100 profit so far within a week. Brittany, I would also suggest doing shipping on your own. It is cheaper. I utilize pirateship. com to get prepaid USPS labels.  

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@meet745 do you find this cheaper than PayPal ship?  

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@squire I am not familiar with PayPal ship. I normally spend $4 on shipping with Pirate Ship

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For PayPal shipping now items that are 8oz or less are usually 3. 50 ish, I paid a little more than 4 one time. Just another option!  

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@squire I’ve never tried that one. I usually will use Usps. If it’s a higher priced item I do Fedex

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@meet745 ya PayPal shipping now utilizes USPS

Answer 14

I just tried promoting and will see if that helps! I haven’t tried that yet. My things are all baby items that are mostly Janie and Jack, Ralph Lauren, Dear me, or custom handmade items and priced about the same as others but just not having any luck! Thank you all for your tips. Fingers crossed I’ll make a sale soon!  

Answer 15

Are people selling more clothing on mecari vs. Ebay?  

Answer 16

I always offer free shipping and have no problem making sales. Just bump up the price to accommodate the shipping. People are happy to pay more if it includes free shipping but will refuse to pay if there is a cost of shipping shown.  

Answer 17

Those of you selling on Mercari, do you typically use Flat Rate envelopes? If not, is there a better way to ship to save money?  

Comments

@conroy the site will provide you with the shipping labels. There’s no need to figure out the shipping yourself.  

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@lely9363 ohhhhhhhhh

Answer 18

I have been selling items as well but I don’t offer free shipping and I haven’t had a problem. Although I do want to start exploring the option of providing shipping myself to save myself and the buyer money. Has anybody done this? I ship a lot of items that are less than a pound and I use poly mailers so I feel like 4. 99 that Mercari charged is a lot and I might save more elsewhere.  

Comments

@vampire PayPal ship is usually 4 dollars or less

Answer 19

What type of packaging does everyone use? I have some tops, skirts and purses I’d like to sell but what envelope/box do I use?  

Answer 20

I just started on Mercari a few months ago and my first listing took a really long time to sell. I ended up having to reduce the price a lot and when all was said and done, I made like $4. 50 on Hollister overalls that were originally $70. I think its because I was brand new on the site. I was willing to let them go for less than I wanted because I needed to establish a rating. I've since sold a few other items quicker and for the price I wanted.  

Answer 21

Thank you all for the wonderful advice! I did use the promote feature and made my first sale today - yay!