🏪 Mercari
Mercari Selling Guide
The simple, low-effort marketplace
Mercari is the "easy button" of reselling. Lower fees than Poshmark, less work than eBay, and a casual buyer base that moves quickly on deals. While you won't get eBay's reach or Poshmark's fashion-focused audience, Mercari's simplicity makes it perfect for cross-listing and moving general merchandise fast.
📊 Mercari Quick Facts
Understanding Mercari Fees
Mercari's fees are straightforward but often misunderstood:
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Selling fee | 10% | On sale price |
| Payment processing | 2.9% + $0.50 | On total (price + shipping) |
| Direct deposit | Free | $10 minimum, weekly payouts |
| Instant Pay | $2 | Same-day to debit card |
Real Fee Calculation
Example: $50 item with $8 shipping
Effective fee rate: ~13% on most transactions—lower than Poshmark's 20%, comparable to eBay's 13.25%.
Shipping Options
| Weight | Label Cost | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 4 oz | $4.99 | USPS First Class |
| 4-8 oz | $6.49 | USPS First Class |
| 8 oz - 1 lb | $7.99 | USPS First Class |
| 1-3 lbs | $11.49 | USPS Priority |
| 3-5 lbs | $13.99 | USPS Priority |
| 5-10 lbs | $17.99 | UPS Ground |
⚠️ Weight Accuracy: If your item exceeds the prepaid label weight, Mercari charges the difference to your account. Weigh items accurately before selecting shipping tier.
Smart Pricing
Mercari's Smart Pricing feature automatically lowers your price over time to attract buyers.
- Set a minimum price — Your absolute floor
- Mercari gradually lowers the listed price — Triggers buyer notifications
- Best for: Items sitting 30+ days, commodity items with competition
- Skip for: Unique/rare items, new listings (give them time first)
💡 Pro Tip: Set your initial price 20% above your minimum, enable Smart Pricing, and let Mercari do the discounting. Price drops automatically notify interested buyers.
Listing Optimization
The 40-Character Title Challenge
✗ Too Long
"Nike Air Max 90 Running Shoes Men's Size 10 White"
✓ Optimized (39 chars)
"Nike Air Max 90 White Mens 10 Sneakers"
Formula: Brand + Type + Key Detail + Size. Skip condition words (put in description).
Description Tips
- First line = hook — Key selling point immediately
- Include all details — Size, measurements, condition, flaws
- Keywords help — Description is searchable
- "Price firm" or "Open to offers" — Sets buyer expectations
Promotions & Offers
Promote Your Listing
Mercari offers paid promotion that boosts visibility. Worth testing on slow-moving items, but track whether the extra cost converts to sales.
Handling Offers
- Respond quickly — Offers expire in 24 hours
- Counter lowballs — Don't just decline, give them a number
- Bundle offers — Encourage multi-item purchases
What Sells Best on Mercari
| Category | Performance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Games, phones, accessories |
| Clothing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Casual buyers, good for basics |
| Home goods | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Decor, kitchen items |
| Toys/Games | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Video games, board games, kids toys |
| Beauty | ⭐⭐⭐ | Makeup, skincare |
Common Mercari Mistakes
- Wrong shipping weight — Leads to fee adjustments
- Ignoring offers — They expire; respond quickly
- Poor photos — First 4 show in grid, make them count
- Not using Smart Pricing — Free automation for stale items
- Slow shipping — Ship within 3 days for good ratings
- Forgetting processing fee — It's 2.9% + $0.50, not just 10%
Mercari vs Other Platforms
| Factor | Mercari | eBay | Poshmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total fees | ~13% | ~13.25% | 20% |
| Effort level | Low | Medium | High (sharing) |
| Audience size | Medium | Largest | Fashion-focused |
| Best categories | General | Everything | Fashion |
| Buyer type | Casual, deal-seekers | Serious buyers | Fashion lovers |
ℹ️ Cross-Listing Strategy: Mercari is perfect as a secondary platform. List on eBay first for maximum exposure, cross-list to Mercari for additional reach with minimal extra effort.
Related Guides
- Platform Comparison — Compare all marketplaces
- eBay Guide — Largest marketplace
- Poshmark Guide — Fashion-focused platform
- Pricing Guide — Price your items right