Are you looking for an online flea market where you could sell items you don’t need anymore (and thus make some side money)? Or maybe you want to buy stuff at a low price?
If so, Mercari App is one such online marketplaces that you may want to consider. There is big trouble, though – the internet is flooded with complaints against Mercari. So, therefore, you may want to ask, “Is the Mercari App a scam?”
Is the platform trustworthy and safe enough to do business with it?
The Mercari App review below tries to answer these (and other related) questions.
So let’s dig right into the details:
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Quick Review
Name: Mercari App
Mercari App login: www.mercari.com
Mercari App download: App Store for iOS, Google Play for Android devices
Niche: Online flea market
Price: (Download: free; buying: free; selling: 10%)
Founder: Shintaro Yamada (Japan)
My Overall Rank: 5 out of 10
My Verdict:
Mercari App is a legit make-money-online opportunity.
…That being said, approach Mercari with great caution! There are tons of complaints against the platform circulating on the internet (more on that below). Sadly, way too many former members (both buyers and sellers) have had awful experiences with the app. Hence my rank 5 out of 10.
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Full Review – Is the Mercari App a Scam?
What is Mercari App
Mercari, a Japanese company founded by Shintaro Yamada, is Japan’s “biggest community-powered shopping fair,” which has recently expanded to the United States. It advertises itself as “a hassle-free and secure way to buy and sell items straight from your mobile device or tablet.”
In other words, Mercari is a mobile app that allows people to buy and sell goods online right from their phones.
What items can you sell on Mercari?
Truth be told, pretty much everything. You can sell fashion, electronics, jewelry, console games, etc.
Also, as you might expect, you can sell new, used, and hand-made items.
How Does It Work?
The whole process is pretty similar to eBay and other online shopping marketplaces. If you are not familiar with it, here’s how it goes:
How to Sell on Mercari
First, you need to create your Mercari account and download their app. After that, you can start listing your items by uploading their images and adding some details. Uploading has been made extremely simple as the app allows you to shoot photos and automatically upload them.
Second, when the buyer has picked the item and paid for it, the Mercari App allows you to create and print a shipping label in your home.
Third, send the item to the buyer.
Fourth, once the buyer has received the item, he:
- Will use the Mercari App to confirm that he has received the purchase
- Will rate his/her experience transacting with you.
Fifth, Only after the buyer has verified that he/she has received the item and it is as described, Mercari releases the payment to you (seller).
Sixth, After the buyer has finished rating your service, you can evaluate the buyer.
Note! On Mercari, the buyer’s rating completes the sale.
Imagine for looking for legit work-from-home opportunities and finding THIS when you go inside… WOW
Why THIS is risk-free for you. Look closer and you’ll see why.
How to Buy on Mercari?
First, download the Mercari App from the Apple Store or Google Store (all transactions go through the app):
See! You cannot buy or sell on Mercari without downloading their app.
Second, select an item you want to buy and pay for it.
Note! Mercari will hold your payment until the item gets delivered, and you verify that it is as described.
Third, If you are happy with the item, close the sale by rating the seller. However, if the item was not as described, go through Mercari to initiate a return.
Is the Mercari App a Scam?
So far, so good! So what’s the problem? Is the Mercari App legit? Or is it a scam?
As I discovered, there are some huge problems connected with the Mercari flea market platform that you may want to know before starting buying/selling on it.
As far as I understand, the biggest problem is not that the marketplace is filled with dishonest sellers and buyers. The biggest problem is that Mercari cannot (or don’t want to) deal with the fraudsters.
As a result, its best two groups of people – honest buyers as well as legitimate sellers – fall victim to the system. And that’s tragic.
Who are the winners?
- Mercari
- Fraudulent (dishonest) sellers
- Dishonest buyers
Let me list some of the main problems of the Mercari App and see what you think! To make things easier to understand, I split these problems into two parts:
- Problems connected with sellers
- Problems connected with buyers
Here we go:
The Mercari App Complaints
As I told above, Mercari online flea market seems to be heavily filled with scammers (both buyers and sellers). Therefore, whatever way you decide to go, it’s easy to fall victim to their fraudulent schemes.
If you are a seller, you get scammed by dishonest buyers (they will buy from you, then after receiving the item, they cancel the transaction and get refunded). And if you are a buyer, you get scammed by fraudulent sellers (you buy a brand new item, they send you used one instead, etc.)
And to make things worse, often people won’t get any help from Mercari.
Therefore, to give you some examples, here are some warning signs for you:
1. If You Are a Seller
Payments not received:
Accounts of Honest Sellers Get Shut Down
Good Sellers Get Suspended
There are many more complaints, like:
- Awful (also ignorant and lazy) Customer Service
- Mercari approves buyers deceptions
- Offer no help to sellers
- etc., etc., etc.
2. If You Are a Buyer
Full of Fake Items
Sellers Can Leave Retaliation Negative Feedback
…And thus hurt your otherwise impeccable buyer reputation (On eBay you cannot do that). This is a massive problem if anyone can give you a stinking rating that is not true, and you have no way to defend yourself.
Remember, you must live with that negative rating. There are cases where other sellers refuse to do business with the buyer because of that one bad feedback:
Refunds Delayed
More Mercari App Complaints
If you plan to sell or buy on Mercari, I highly recommend to at least scroll through the following complaints and feedback. Here, here, and here.
Why?
Because then you have a much better picture of what you can expect from the Mercari platform. And thus you can stay safe.
Final Verdict
My verdict: The Mercari is a LEGIT platform to buy and sell stuff (and thus make some side money online). That being said, because of the enormous amount of complaints against the Mercari App, please approach it with great caution. This is to make sure you won’t get ripped off.
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What About You
First, thank you for reading my review. I hope you found the information you were looking for.
Now that you have read the Mercari App review, I’m curious to know your thoughts about it. Is the Mercari App a scam or not?
Also, do you have a personal experience with Mercari (good or bad) that you’d like to share?
Please drop me a comment below, and I will return with a response.
ARE YOU looking for ways to create a legit passive income online?
It’s all relative to one’s experience, and for me personally I’ve had more horrendous experiences and poor customer service from Poshmark than Mercari recently.
I have noticed that in recent months Mercari have been actively posting employment opportunities for U.S based roles, because the way you do business in Japan isn’t always going to work elsewhere, so they’re trying to bolster more of a presence locally (those who have worked in Japan and understand the culture will relate to the differences). Either they will try to do better to improve, or eventually everyone will just delete the app and move on.
I would also suggest including updates to the original article (that appears to have been written almost a year ago if I’m not mistaken). The app has changed marginally, so not everything in the original post is relevant/true anymore.
Hey, KV, and thank you for your feedback.
I am glad to hear Mercari is trying to raise the quality of its marketplace and services. And it is only a good news if the app has become better in recent times. I do another research and will update my Mercari review asap. And thank you for pointing it out.
Cheers,
Egon
I noticed the majority of Mercari complaints are from sellers. I only buy on Mercari. ( as a side note, I do not have the app downloaded. You can use Mercari from without it).
My very first purchase was a $350 item. The seller was new also, just a few sales prior. But we were able to communicate through the Mercari chat app, and get a sense of trust. She shipped me the item in perfect condition with unexpected extras included. I rated her “great” the next day, after inspecting the item thoroughly, and Mercari released her money.
If you have experience buying on eBay or other online marketplace sites, you know you have to vet your sellers and how to do that properly. Still there will be a few purchases that go awry despite your best efforts, this is the nature of sites like these, and grown adults know this.
I have had a few unsatisfactory purchases on Mercari. These were sellers selling used as new, or damage undisclosed. Mercari refunded 100%, (although they did try and get me to take “Mercari credits” on a couple of low dollar items, and that part of Mercari is extreemly shady, as my cash has no expiration date, and Merc credit does.).
One other purchase came with unexpected postage due fees, and those are always refunded with Mercari credits. I was able to reach out to the seller and he refunded the entire purchase for his error in weight!
I find very often, in these complaints, that people failed to do due diligence or simply did not take the time to research the platform, or were looking to get away with less than responsible behavior themselves and they got burned. ( Not always, but often!). Read through these reviews and you will see this pattern for yourselves.
What I am seeing from sellers is that this platform seems very difficult to SELL on with respect to unhelpful customer support, and I personally considered and decided not to sell there as of yet.
But for buyers Mercari is very simple, uncluttered, and quite easy to use.
Thank you, Salesgirl, for your thorough and detailed feedback.
I think your comment helps to clarify a lot. Even though, as you mentioned, it is not always but often the case. There are cases where buyers do everything perfectly yet get burned as well.
But thank you for sharing about your experience. I am sure it helps many (potential) Mercari customers – sellers and buyers.
Cheers,
Egon
Dont get ripped off! Go to some other app!
I sell a loy on mercari. Don’t usually have any problems. But last week i switched up 2 labels, 1 person bought a lotion for $10, the other bought a coach bag for $150. The lady paid for the lotion got the purse, and now she wont return it. Whats worse, merc support told me im SOL. They even threatened to ban me cuz i was going against their policy by suggesting to the user i go to her house to pick up my bag (we live in the same city) and she then blocked me. They wont let me even LEAVE FEEDBACK, it was an auto feedback of positive and they wont edit it. I plan on taking her to small claims to recoup my loss.
Hey, ME, “and thank you for the feedback. Can you imagine! What a disgusting behavior! It was only a human error and nobody is protected from them. I cannot understand why the Mercari platform does not care about their (often most) loyal customers… Even worse, they are hostile toward you. It would be so easy for them explain that lady that it was a mistake and please return it.
Disgusting behavior, by both – that lady but by Mercari as well.
Thank you for sharing it. I hope you can solve it.
God bless you much,
Egon
Hi Egon:
I have been selling on a lot of platforms over the years Amazon & ebay the most.
I have tried a lot of other platforms as well and now I always look to the bbb for it’s accreditation of these platforms before committing any transactions with them.
Unfortunately Macari has way too many complaint issues with them across the internet so I tried to reach out to them on facebook to address some of these issues and submitted them the bbb link giving an f rating, all of a sudden i get a facebook strike against me for violating their community guidelines for posting my request they address some of the consumer and seller complaints.
I don’t believe the people at macari care to deal with these issues which in my book legitimizes all these complaints. There are way too many complaints from so many review sites and reddit sites to even consider any kind of referral.
These people have more complaints than ebay, amazon, ioffer, ebluejay, rkuten, flipkart, alliexpress, tophatter combined!
Hey, Keith, and thank you for the detailed feedback. I appreciate it very much.
Can you imagine! Facebook punishes you when you tried to share your concerns! And you are right – even in this this comment section alone there are many, many people who have expressed their total frustration over Mercari’s lack of desire to deal with their issues. And yes, there are way too many complaints to consider Mercari a trustful business platform.
Thank you again for sharing your experience.
Stay safe,
Egon
I just recently had an unfair review by a buyer, they stated that my pictures were deceiving and didn’t show the scratches and dents on the diary I sold them. I also accidentally listed it as like new instead of good, so of course they bring up that fact in the poor rating they gave me, and they said that buyers beware my photos were deceiving.
And the buyer didn’t even bother to contact me about the issue, starting it was a hassle to return the item.
I just messaged the company about this on Facebook messenger and waiting for a reply, I requested that they removed the comment for I’m afraid it will hurt my reputation as a seller.
This is what I wrote them:
Hello, I’m here to report an issue I had with a buyer, they gave an unfair review and they never even contacted me about it, or else I would have explained to them I made a mistake listing the item as “like new” instead of “good”, and I would have given them a refund. They state that dents are scratches are present and weren’t shown in photos, when they clearly are shown in the photos provided. They also claimed that I stated in the description that it’s in excellent condition when I only called it great. She wrote in her rating to beware me for my photos are deceiving, and I’m afraid this is going to harm my reputation as a seller. I’m 100% honest with my listings and always tell people of any defaults and take close photos of said defaults. I even state whether or not a plush I’m selling is the real thing or just a bootleg. Here is the person’s whole rating word for word down below:
“The Harry Potter diary had several scratches and dents that were not stated in the description or pictures. She actually describes it like new and says it’s in excellent condition. Not worth the hassle of trying to return but future buyer beware her pictures were deceiving. Not happy.”
I really hope you can remove this rating that wasn’t called for, the wording of their complaint makes me seem like a deceitful seller when I’m not, you can even look at my other reviews I have stating items are as described. I made a mistake in listing the item and the person didn’t inspect the photos carefully enough and I shouldn’t have to be held accountable for a mistake any lister could make, especially new ones like me.
Thank you for your detailed feedback, Elisabeth.
Sad to hear your customer behaved so bad…
Did you get the answer from Mercari and could you solve the issue?
What I learned from here is that with Mercari you are always on the edge of the sword. You can be 100% honest and trustworthy seller/buyer but one bad guy on the other side can easily destroy your Mercari reputation. There are many complaints like that in this comment section alone.
And the trend seems to be that when such an issue arise, Mercari tends to punish the honest party. Bad. Very bad.
Thank you again for your feedback, Elisabeth,
Stay safe,
Egon
I read through your article and have to agree that Mercari is legitimate and not a scam. But being a Japanese based company, they do their business quite differently than what you would expect. Despite that their customer service is virtually impossible to contact, they are somewhat like how federal government agencies operate – ‘impersonal’ and ‘indifferent’ and also ‘institutionalized’.
I initially set up an account with Mercari at the beginning of August 2018 to buy an online item through a Google Shopping category listing. Ever since then I had two more very successful transactions with them, so far.
Unfortunately to my dismay, I am seriously considering on discontinuing any future shopping with their website due to experiencing technical problems with their webpages.
Eventhough I’m allowed to continue to buy from them, I only deal with Mercari through a hyperlink(s) that is/are saved as an icon(s) on my home screen and not through their recommended App from the Google Play Store. This is an excellent alternative for going directly to various websites and/or their related ‘links’ without having to download any Apps. And since I am always well below the 400MB internal storage barrier on my Android device, I don’t meet that App download criteria anyway.
However, my current dilemma with Mercari is that I cannot get fully loaded item search pages including each of the individual item listing pages (like in ‘skeletal mode’). This is where most of all of the information is shown, but none of the image pictures of the featured item can be seen including an incomplete description. So, the end result is a continually rotating black circle ring at the bottom of the page.
In the recent past, I have successfully on two occasions under Google Settings been able to clear the Cookies, site data in order to ‘fix’ this problem. Unfortunately this doesn’t work anymore unless someone can suggest a solution for me otherwise.
Nowadays without seeing any item image pictures, I just wonder if I’ll ever get either of those expensive black leather fetish combat boots that I’ve always wanted!?!
Hey, Erica, and thank you for the detailed comment, sharing your experience, and additional explanation.
As for Mercari, it can be that being a Japanese company, they behave differently. But this is not the only problem they have. This comment section here has many, many comments where people complain how dishonest buyers/sellers (or outright deceivers) have shamelessly scammed them and even destroyed their reputation in Mercari. And yet when the victims try get help from Mercari, often they are the ones who get punished.
It’s not true that Japanese don’t know how to treat their customers. Truth be told, they know it very well. Because how else do sell their products worldwide like a wild fire?
I think (and many have come to the same conclusion) that Mercari just does not care about their customers. And it’s not about culture. It’s about attitude.
That being said, thank you very much again for the detailed comment,
Cheers,
Egon
I purchased an item via Paypal on the Mercari site. I wish I had read your review first. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it actually arrives and that it is the product I think I purchased. I will let you know either way. Thanks for doing this.
Hey, CTJ, and thank you for the comment.
Just wondering if everything went well and you got your item.
Stay safe,
Egon
I’ve bought 2 things already and have sold 5 things, my items will be delivered tonight and i am hoping everything will run smoothly. The things i have bought have been perfect with one of the sellers even including a thank you note. I approve of this app
Hey, Rommel, and thank you very much for the feedback. It’s helpful. I am glad to hear everything has been smooth so far and I hope it will continue that way. If all Mercari sellers were like the one you described…
Stay safe,
Egon
Mercari doesn’t stand behind buyers! A seller: name brands 4 less ripped me off for $403! I bought a phone! Yes, I’m out that money! Very unfair!
Hi, Diane, and thank you for the feedback.
I am sorry to hear you have got ripped off and have lost your money.
Sadly, I must agree with you – Mercari does not stand behind its customers (in fact both – buyers and sellers). There are so many complaints even in this thread only that confirm it.
I hope your negative experience will be as a warning sign for other (potential) customers. Thank you again for sharing about your experience with Mercari and that particular seller.
Egon
I ordered a cell phone cover, paid for it and I have not received my money back not the cell phone cover I ordered. It’s been almost three months..
I want my money back or the cell phone cover ordered
Hey, Maria, and thank you for the feedback.
Did you contact with the Mercari support center? And with the seller? What did they tell you?
Hope you can solve your issue,
Egon
The Mercari has a very poor service. They suspended my account saying that I did not meet the Mercari rules.
It’s a lie because I sell the same products that are sold at Mercari . Yet they removed my products. And the same products are sold in Mercari as personal care products by Loreal Paris and Garnier Nutrisse.
I tried to speak with the one responsible in Mercari and they answered me only by threatening that my account would be deleted!
This company has no respect for its sellers! I am a serious person. I have a son to raise and I am unemployed and now the Mercari robbed me of that little I have! And that without any consideration! They disabled my account and I still have money in the Mercari account to receive!!!!!!! I sent several messages to them and nobody helps me.!!
Hey, DDavis, and thank you for the feedback.
I completely agree with you – Mercari treats its loyal and faitful customers (both sellers and buyers) so badly that it’s utterly disgusting (like your experience above). And what can you do – they own the business, their turf, their rules. This comment section here is full of complaints like yours. Honest, trustworthy people get ripped off their money and nobody in Mercari cares.
Also, seems to me, the classical human logic does not seem to work with Mercari – I mean, that you write them, explain your situation (that you are not guilty, etc.). Because they don’t bother to listen you. I have read a long list of Mercari complaints and, truth be told, I don’t understand how they think… Or why they behave like they behave.
Why on Earth shoot on one’s own foot?
I still hope and pray (right now) that you could solve your issues with Mercari and get your money (and account) back. And your testimonial (complaint) will definitely be a warning sign for those who are thinking about doing business in Mercari.
Stay safe,
Egon
I’ve been using Mercari since 2014. No complaints so far. If you have the mentality of buying REAL items, you will be disappointed. That’s why I accept the fact that I buy items knowing they might be fake. For example, am I going to buy a 200 dollar jersey on the actual jersey website? NO! But I will buy a replica 30 dollar jersey that looks exactly like the real one. I’ve been buying replica jerseys for years now and not one person has told me they look fake. As for selling, I’ve only gotten great reviews for years. Never been suspended or had any money not given to me. Overall it’s a great app.
Thank you for the feedback, James. I appreciate it a lot. Plus, it’s good to know there are also people who are happy with Mercari.
Still, it seems to be you have been lucky not to get suspended, etc. Because, if you read the previous comments here, you will see, there are so many honest and loyal members of Mercari who have been mercilessly screwed by dishonest members and by Mercari as well. It was not their fault and they did not do anything wrong. Yet got harshly punished.
With Mercari it’s completely possible that all the people you deal with (buyers/sellers) happen to be the honest ones. If so, praise God for that. But the opposite is equally possible. And if that happens, as you can see from the earlier comments, more often than not, Mercari sides with the dishonest member.
And that’s disgusting.
But I thank you again for your comment, sir. It helps others to see a better picture.
Stay safe,
Egon
Hi,
Enjoyed your review of the Mercari app and just wanted to add that your so right, the IDEA of the app is genius! And this could be so amazing but yes they have some odd and not very business-like procedures they seem to go by.
I’ve been selling several months now and I buy a lot as well. Mostly, I’ve dealt with other stay at home moms or housewives and a few small business owners that were all honest and nice as could be. But then I’ve had a few problems myself, and had the exact wording someone above used, that as a “one time courtesy” they would refund me for an item that came to me with stains all over the pants and was supposed to be new with tags.
Well upon reinspecting the listing the tag for the fishing pants was located directly over the crotch part of the pants which just happened to be where the worst stain was at. I contacted the seller first because of course that’s what I would want someone buying from me to do. She refused to split the dry cleaning bill with me as my boyfriend wanted to keep the pants they are hard to find and expensive – I paid $80!!
So I kept the pants rated her accordingly and notified Mercari that it wasn’t fair but that I had kept the pants – just wanted to explain there should be more options for special cases and they refunded me in Mercari credits for about a quarter of item price although it stated I’d been refunded for purchase. So I replied back said I appreciated that they partially refunded me and they apologized again and refunded me fully in Mercari credits which is same – you just must spend on app within 30 days.
I also had an instance where I got two packages switched around. One was a stuffed $3 animal all the other a TheNorthFace jacket for around $40. I got the stuffed animal back and had to pay $8 to have it returned. The jacket the lady said she wrote was returned to the sender and gave it to the mail man. But it’s never been seen since said delivered to her. I had refunded her immediately and would have sent the stuffed animal but it just seems odd then about two weeks later I filed a complaint and the transaction was canceled that day.
So now I just lost the jacket and money for it on top of shipping fees. So I’ve seen both sides. Wish I knew what all it would take to set this type of selling app up the correct way. HUGE money to be made.
Hi, JP, and thank you for the detailed comment. That’s where the danger is when you do business with Mercari – sooner or later you end up selling to (or buying from) dishonest customers, or downright scammers. And that’s when problems will begin. The platform itself and the idea behind is great. What is not great though, is the way how Mercari handles deceptions. Way too often honest and loyal customers get punished while scammers make a clean getaway.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Stay safe,
Egon
This app is a scam, as a buyer it was a nightmare to even shop and spend my own money with Mercari.
I opened a 2 weeks old account with them, and bought about 5 items. When I tried to link my PayPal account to purchase more items, I received a message from Mercari stating that my account was suspended and I should not even try to open another account, because it would be suspended too.
I had 4 orders pending, and I was not able to contact the sellers, they shut me down completely.
I tried to reach out to their customer support but unfortunately it was a waste of time. They asked me to verify my identity by submitting my US Government ID, and Social security….. I tried to follow the process at the time, thanks God it didn’t go through, still they won’t reactivate my account.
When I got the items, 2 of my 5 orders were good. The 3 other ones were a nightmare.
According to their rules, you have 3 days to rate the seller after delivery, if you don’t you are basically stuck with the item. Also, in case of a return you have only 3 days to ship the item back, including weekends. But when it comes to a refund, for Mercari it takes 5 to 10 business days.
In one case I had to wait 2 weeks for Mercari to cancel my transaction and 10 more days to receive my refund back. Basically they kept my money for 25 days. With Mercari, you suffer as a buyer, I can imagine selling on Mercari.
Avoid this company at all costs, they are true scammers….. Don’t shop nor buy in this app. I have dealt with them for almost 3 weeks and it was a nightmare. Stay away!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Imad, for sharing your first-hand experience with Mercari. Unfortunately, there are many, many people who have had similar (negative, or extremely negative) experiences with. While there are many honest sellers and buyers, there are also dishonest ones. And they are the ones that will cause you all kind of problems. Plus the way Mercari treats you once you seek their help.
That’s why I have warned against Mercari. It’s clearly not a safe and trustworthy work-at-home business platform. Sad but true.
Stay safe,
Egon
I am a seller on Mercari, and I have noticed that now that I have funds on my account, I need to give them my account and routing numbers so they can wire me my payment… is this even safe?
I want my earnings, but I wish there was a different way to get them… PayPal? Venmo? Poshmark is fantastic and they let me distribute my money to my venmo… I just don’t want to give a company that seems so sketchy my bank info… any other ideas?
Thanks in advance
Hey, Alyssa, and thank you for the comment.
First, I am so sorry for being so late. I had a long vacation this year and barely touched my computer in that period.
As for you question, I would always be very cautions when someone asks to submit my private, sensitive, financial data (credit card information, etc.). It’s always better to use Paypal etc (as you already mentioned).
Hopefully some previous/current Mercari customer (seller or buyer) can clarify it better – what are the options and how they have solved it. Is it safe, etc.
You can also check this link here: https://www.mercari.com/help_center/article/91/
It says: “How do I get paid?
After your buyer has confirmed that they’ve received the item and you’ve both rated the transaction, the funds will be reflected in your Balance. Your Balance can be viewed by going to My Page and either tapping your Balance at the top or going to Settings > Balance.
A Direct Deposit payout can be requested for any amount over $2. We’ll transfer the funds from your Mercari Balance to your checking account.”
Does it help?
Stay safe,
Egon
Do not trust Mercari!!!
I wish more people would get the word out there how awful this site is. I have no idea how they get good reviews in the App Store, I’ve heard so many terrible stories! They will close your account and give some bogus reason as to why. They will steal all of your money.
I recently had all of my listings deactivated for no reason whatsoever. They threatened to close my account and I basically told them to go ahead, since I had already deposited my money into my bank account, thank goodness.
Use Poshmark and eBay!!
Hey, Sammy and thank you for your comment (and for sharing your experience with Mercari).
Sorry for late reply – I had a long vacation this year. But I am glad to hear you could deposit your money beforehand. Lucky you. That being said, your testimonial only confirms – Mercari is not the platform for those who’d like to do honest business online. You just cannot trust the platform (and many of its sellers/buyers as well). I just cannot imagine why they behave like that?
Thank you again for the warning, sir,
Stay safe,
Egon
I currently purchase items through an app called POSHMARK. It’s an absolutely wonderful site. It only services the USA. Some of the sellers also list on Mercari to sell the identical items cheaper.
I was considering signing up as a buyer with Mercari. I’m so glad I did my research. Thank you for the thorough investigative research you have done. A lot of people won’t have to deal with Mercari app because of their horrendous business practices, including myself.
Hey, Sophia, and thank you for the comment, feedback, and kind words. I am glad to hear you found the Mercari app review helpful. Awesome!
As for Poshmark, well, I have not reviewed Poshmark yet but I’d like to do it as soon as possible. In this comment section I have already heard many people praising it so I think it is worth reviewing it. The only negative thing is that it only services the US as you wrote. But that’s how it is so what can we do? Maybe one day they will decide to go international. Who knows?
Thank you again for your feedback. I appreciate it a lot.
Stay safe,
Egon
I hope it doesn’t take a month to get my refund. I just had a transaction cancelled by the seller after giving me excuse after excuse why she hadn’t shipped my item. After telling me once again that she was going to ship it the next day, I woke up to a message from Mercari saying they had cancelled it because she couldn’t ship.
I am 2 for 4 in the bad seller dept. The first person I bought from did me the same way, except I finally got my item nearly 2 weeks after purchase.
Hey, Jody, and thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it a lot.
It’s weird, isn’t it? Why does Mercari screw their loyal customers? I really hope you will get your refund fast.
Stay safe and God bless you,
Egon
wow~!! I just post merchandise to sell (25 items) then for some reason I decided to search ‘mercari review’ and hit your site. As soon as I read your post and comments from victims of the apps, I immediately delete the merchandise and close the apps.
Thank you for public service!
Daniel
Hey, Daniel, and thank you for the comment.
It is true that there many Mercari customers are happy sellers/buyers and very satisfied with the platform. That being said, it is also true (and undeniable fact as you saw in the complaints) that it is just way too risky to do business with Mercari. The platform is mercilessly exploited by all kind of deceivers,thieves, scammers, etc. and Mercari does not seem to do anything to stop it.
Stay safe,
Egon
Mercari…well, I just stumbled across this site, when I found a perfect MCM glass butter dish. I have been trying to collect this particular pattern, and they are hard to find.
The buyer had a reasonable price listed, so, I signed up with Mercari. The item was Charged asap, through Pay Pal, and the item arrived within a couple of days. Great item, but, chips on inside, not, described beforehand.
Meanwhile, I had signed up for email, and had begun receiving them asap! But..whenever I tried opening an email, my iPhone would display a message that the app could not be opened because the Address Is Invalid. I contacted the seller to explain I would be deleting the app, gave a separate Great Review, deleted the app, and am glad I used Pay Pal instead of giving them my card info. Too bad. I kinda liked this app. Invalid Address? Directly from their emails? Hmmm?
Hey, yve, and thank you for sharing about your experience with Mercari app. I am convinced, what you shared will help other visitors. Could you finally solve your with Mercari or the seller (change the dish or…)?
Stay safe,
Egon
Mercari are thieves!
I sold a few items and when it came time to pay they said that I sold a counterfeit item, which I did not. I asked them to give me details on which item that I sold that was supposedly counterfeit. They did not provide me with any information only automated responses of the same thing over and over.
They ended up holding my funds from every transaction and said that I’m not getting paid in order to protect them.
I’m out over $250 between 3 sales transactions. It’s been four months. They shut my account down and kept my money.
STAY AWAY FROM MERCARI UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE ROBBED. I too read the reviews on mercari and thought to myself “surely it doesn’t happen that often…it won’t happen to me” when the reality is that this type of behavior has become common practice for mercari. Just bad business. I don’t see how they get away with it
Hey, Mer, and thank you for the comment. Also, thank you for sharing your experience with other visitors. It only confirms that Mercari is *not* a trustworthy business partner. There are just way too many complaints by sincere and honest sellers/buyers who get ripped off by dishonest parties.
Not only that. Seems to me, Mercari (more often than not) sides with the deceptive party. And that’s disgusting. I don’t understand why Mercari lets it happen. Why don’t they bother to protect their reputation?
Thank you again for sharing your story and warning other visitors.
Stay safe,
Egon
Total scam took my money and gave me nothing in return
Thank you for the comment, Bert. Sad to hear you got ripped off. At least your complaint gives other visitors a better understanding of what to expect from the Mercari App. And, as you can see, a big majority of Mercari commentators have had a negative experience with Mercari.
Stay safe,
Egon
I was reading information on Mercari because I’ve had such a bad experience.
I’ve sold many things on this app from an old iPhone to my old prom dress. Just recently I decided to put a brand new bag (Tory Burch) I priced it for $140. This one account called “Kdamolaris” by Kimberly Damolaris from Illinois purchased the purse. I was super glad to sell it and get some of the money back that I had paid for the bag mind you this was a $450 dollar brand new bag.
I just wanted to get rid of because it was too big for me. I shipped the item out the same day it was purchased no more then 24 hours pass. I drop it off at a Fed Ex office. This was on 4/02/18 it is now 4/24/18 and the buyer doesn’t reply. On the FedEx website it said the item is still on it’s way.
I contacted FedEx to file a complaint. They emailed me back saying the item had arrived on 4/10/2018 to check back with the website and inform them that the item arrived. Mercari doesn’t give me a solution they just say to give it 3 days to arrived. I am so upset.
Be very careful while selling on this app especially if you’re like me – a college student who’s broke attempting to sell one’s items.
I had 250 positive feedback stars and not a single negative feedback star and was suspended for no reason.
But I believe that people selling similar items go to an item of yours and report something like “inappropriate content.” And while there may not be anything close to that in any of your listings, Mercari will not take the time to actually look at the listing that had the complaint or all of your listings for that matter. They just boot you off.
This is just speculation of course. However, I couldn’t think of any other reason that my account was suspended. When I asked Mercari they refused to give me an explanation. I also wrote cooperate and attached a screenshot of my 250+ positive ratings but never received or heard anything back.
I have read several complaints where this same thing has happened to others. Also beware because I have read a ton of complaints where sellers are selling either knock off products (especially cosmetics) or filling the cosmetics and other like items with unknown substances.
So I would buy clothing type of stuff with clear photos of the item in the listing. Also I hear buyers will purchase something, complain to Mercari that the item was damaged, etc. And when they return the item for their money back they return newspaper, a magazine, or something worthless. Just be careful and I wouldn’t sell anything of high value.
Hi,Jax, and thank you for your very informative comment. Terrible how Mercari treats its best customers… Absolutely disgusting.
As for dangers of selling/buying in Mercari, thank you for the info you shared. In my humble opinion, Mercari gets increasingly rotten. I mean, more and more dishonest (or outright corrupt) people seem to join Mercari in order to exploit the platform and rip off its other users. And if Mercari does not do anything to protect its (honest) customers, how on Earth can you trust the platform?
Again, terrible…
Stay safe,
Egon
I decided to edit my profile, which shockingly I’m allowed to do mid shutdown explaining things to sellers and hopefully they will understand I had no control over the cancellations and such. I also explained how I can’t communicate with them directly.
Just wanted to add that. I have items enroute to me is why my account is still up very temporarily.
Thank you for the additional information as well, Deb. Good to know that even you are blocked you at least can have access to your profile page. Thank you very much,
Egon
It’s nice how there are Mercari defenders. Obviously they never had their accounts deleted for no reason.
As you said we aren’t just bad mouthing a site for fun or spite. I only buy on Mercari and had all great ratings. Apparently I caused trouble by reporting fake items and had Mercari cancel an item due to it being fake.
They never told me why they shut down my account so I can only assume things. Sadly I had read awful reviews and stupidly went to Mercari anyway. Lesson learned. My account was suspended tonight and I have 5 purchases that Mercari cancelled and the sellers are like what!? Hey??! What’s going on??! They stop your ability to communicate with those you are in transactions with. So you as the buyer, or seller, look like a bad guy canceling and ignoring your customers!? Thanks Mercari! Not! Thank goodness I wasn’t a seller, just a buyer.
The purchases I had made tonight I had actually wanted but whoopity do apparently as far as Mercari is concerned. Their slogan should be “Beat it! We’re no longer concerned with you as a buyer or seller!!”
Sadly this site continues to wreak havoc. All I can say is be warned. Thank you for posting this information. Hopefully it helps someone steer clear!
Hey, Deb and thank you for the comment. And thank you for the warning. Sad to hear about your such an awful experience. I just don’t understand why Mercari behaves like that. After all, these are their (often most loyal and faithful) customers. Why shoot oneself in the foot? It’s simply above my head.
Your comment (in fact your personal experience with Mercari) confirms again that Mercari is not a trustworthy business platform.
Stay safe,
Egon
I’ve been selling on Mercari for the last 2-3 years and have never had a problem like any what’s listed above.
I also sell on Poshmark, eBay, and Depop. It’s actually one of the platforms I sell the most on. Yes, it’s a little annoying that the funds are delayed until the buyer rates me but anytime I haven’t heard from a buyer and ask Mercari to step in they do without a problem within at least 24 hours.
I always make sure my items are listed exactly as they are and post pictures of any/all flaws to ensure buyers know what they’re getting. Not sure when everyone here tried using it last but I really like it.
I don’t try but g designer because let’s be honest, no matter what site you use people are trying to sell fake designer. Lol but anyways! There aren’t, unfortunately, a ton of platforms to sell on but Mercari is one of my favorites.
Thanks for reading my comment- idk what the point of this is but it would suck if Mercari kept getting dragged through the mud cause I have a feeling i would lose a lot of business. I also have had 3 negative reviews and my account was never suspended. Weird. If anything, the only thing that bothers me about the app is I can’t contact anyone that likes my listings, at times id like to offer a bundle or offer a discount and i cant. Otherwise this app is great, I’ve made a lot of money using it.
Thank you for the detailed feedback, Michaela. I am glad to hear there are people who have such a positive experience with Mercari. Seriously. Because if you scroll through other comments here, you will see how many people have been ripped off and/or treated terribly. That’s their real life experience and most (if not all) of them have been honest sellers/buyers. Obviously they did not deserve the treatment they received from Mercari. Sad but true.
Stay safe,
Egon
I am a seller and a buyer on Mercari. I have had occasional issues present themselves but they were always resolved promptly.
First let me ask, what qualifies you to be a Mercari expert? Have you ever bought or sold there? My only issues I have had is their recent app upgrade took the sellers ability to communicate with potential buyers away. If someone liked an item you were selling they would hit the like button. I, as a seller, would simply message that person that I accept reasonable offers. I messaged Mercari and said why did you keep the like button but take away the ability to text a potential customer. The rep replied, they were getting complaints that some sellers were creating a pushy harassing environment and they didn’t want people not to enjoy their experience. That like button is insignificant if you can’t use it to market your product.
And yes, you will have a very difficult time trying to get to customer support. I try every option until one lets me send a message. Then I have to say that this isn’t my problem it just was the first that let me send a message.
I have 2 poor feedbacks that were unfair but you are never going to please all the people all the time. I have hundreds of great comments and I hope an intelligent person will see that. I sold on EBay from 2002 until 2017. Listing fees, final value fees, then Pay Pal took their cut you were lucky to make a dollar. You are never going to like anybody all the time but overall my experience has been positive.
I also don’t think it’s fair to call Mercari a flea market. I have bought plenty of Pre-Owned products that are in good shape. Most sellers (not the minority but the majority) will give an honest description.
If you can’t see what you are buying because the picture is bad don’t buy from that person. Wealthy Affiliates sounds like a great program. My husband is looking in to so he can make an informed decision. But what made you a Mercari expert?
Hey, Diane, and thank you for your detailed comment and advice for other Mercari sellers/buyers. Also, I am happy to hear you have had mostly good experience with Mercari. Good.
Sadly, it’s not the case for many other sellers/buyers. When you scroll through the comment section here, you will see (and read) some pretty hair-raising complaints. Can’t believe a respected company can treat its customers like that. That being said, I believe these complaints and testimonials are genuine. As a result, you get a better picture of the company. Sadly, for many, it is nothing but a nightmare experience.
As for your question, well, I don’t consider myself a Mercari expert. I just wrote a review about it. I did an extensive research, learned how to sell and buy in Mercari, what are the warning signs, etc. Truth be told, if it where completely trustworthy company, I would have given thumbs up to it. But, sadly, this is not the case. And these comments here are a proof.
Stay safe,
Egon
I am having great success with Poshmark, so I thought I would give Mercari a try. The app was a little more confusing, not a big deal so I put up two listings. I was then contacted privately by someone wanting to buy my listing personally and wanted all my information to send me a “check” with an additional $50 for shipping ?.
When the deal sounds too good to be true it usually is ?. I was turned off by this and deleted my account.
After reading this review I am glad I did, I’m just trying to make some money. I’m currently not working because I have a son who received a bone marrow transplant, all this stress is the last thing I need. Thanks for your review helping to confirm my decision to delete the app.
Hey, Priscilla, and thank you for your feedback. Glad to hear you found the review helpful. I did not write the review to discourage people from doing business with Mercari but the sad truth is, way too many Mercari customers have been mercilessly ripped off by the system. Bad. Too bad.
If you want to make some side money, have you already this? Won’t cost you a penny to see if it can help you.
Stay safe,
Egon
Yeah, someone messaged me on Mercari and said they wanted my Original 1985 Nintendo game system I put for sale on the Mercari app/site…
I had it listed for sale for $150… They asked me to text their “Daddy” if my Nintendo was still available and gave me his phone number…
I texted the number that it was still available… He messaged me back asking for my name and mailing address so he could mail me a check so, I gave it to him… He wanted me to remove my sale listing on Mercari site and wants to mail me a check for $150 + an extra $50 for holding it for him. And once I get his check in the mail and get my cash he would pay the shipping to get my Nintendo sent to him…
I said ok…
Then he sent me another long message stating he had some houses and property in my hometown of Atlanta, GA. And that he had some movers he needed to pay for their services a week or so from now. He wanted to send me a check for over $1000 and wanted me to cash it. He offered to let me keep even more extra money for doing this… He said once I got the check cashed, he would let me know where to send it…
Why would anyone send someone they don’t know or never met a big check over $1000 and trust them not to deceive you?
I know that this is a scam. After I got the check and cashed the check he sent me, he told me to send the cash through Western Union to him somewhere in the USA or to another country. Then around 10 days or so, the check bounced and I got screwed and was left responsible for covering the cost of the bounced check and comes up on alot of free cash…I am so done with the Mercari app/site…
Thank you for your comment, William. And thank you for sharing about your experience with Mercari. The situation you describe here is weird indeed. Obviously smells a rat (or that infamous Nigerian letter where a local king has died and all his riches… you know what I mean.)
Thank you for sharing, William, because it will help other Mercari sellers/buyers to see through such schemes – if that should happen to them.
Stay safe,
Egon
Thank you, Egon. My client was happy and I received a message from this stupid website that they will hold my payment for 180 days… for what? Until now they have not paid me, they have not answered me. They always find an excuse to hold my payment and not to pay me. I never see it … like this!
They steal your money without answering your messages or keep giving you stupid excuses without proof. They prohibit taking contact with the buyer or seller… All so that they can keep your money without paying you… Terrible!
Hey, N. Sad to hear you have not received your payment. Your complaint only confirms that Mercari is *not* a trustworthy platform. Truth be told, I have read so many negative comments that I would never do business with Mercari. The risk to get screwed is just too high. Sad, but that’s how it is.
Stay safe!
Egon
I purchased a hand cassette recorder February 17 for $40 and was informed delivery in 2 days. Now a week later I’ve received nor heard anything from them. My several emails have been rejected!!! Am I being scammed? I need a mini cassette player!!! What shall I do? There’s no phone number to call them. Can you help me?
Hey, William, and thank you for contacting. Sad to hear they have treated you like that. If you scroll through the comments here you will see there many, many people who have been treated like that. Mercari doesn’t answer you (or answer to only make threats). Its sellers (not all, but still many) deceive you – it’s just so utterly disgusting.
I have been in a similar situation (it was different platform but the situation was pretty much the same). They scammed me and there was no contact information to call them. At the end of the day, I lost my money.
Can you contact with the seller? What does he/she say?
Stay safe,
Egon
***situation not supporting! This article was very well written and pointed out some of the main concerns about this platform.
Please do not make the same mistake I made – It does not matter how good you are to your customers and how many rules you follow… or don’t follow for that matter. You could do everything by the book and your account could still be gone tomorrow! ‘
Don’t end up (like me) fighting for you money that is owed to you! As far as anything else other than the BBB and the FTC if anybody knows of any other avenues I can take to pursue to get my money back… I am all ears.
I don’t know how far they’re going to push this but they will be made aware here in a few minutes of my call to the BBB and FTC maybe that’ll be enough to get my money back probably not but hey I may have to chalk it up to a loss but I will make sure everybody here’s my story feel free to pass along !!!
Thank you again for your comment and advice, AliMarie. Hopefully there are people who can help you get your situation settled and your money back.
Stay safe,
Egon
Hello!!! Help!!!
I am currently in a situation with Mercari, it is hell and I hope that Noone else has to go thru what I am going thru as we speak!
I have been a ‘rated great every transaction’ (buying and selling of hundreds of items)! I was on a roll, had awesome clientele, I was that seller who wrapped your items in tissue paper, packed your package with extra goodies and included a hand written thank you :)) I strive to make my customers happy -having them happy makes me happy makes my job complete and I wouldn’t due it any other way
-NOW ID LIKE TO NOTE ** I DID READ UP ON MERCARI BEFORE DECIDING TO START MY JOURNEY SELLING ON THIS PLATFORM AND I READ THE REVIEWS, THE REVIEWS OF GOOD HONEST SELLERS ACCOUNTS BEING CLOSED FOR ABSOLUTELY NO TRUE AND CORRECT REASON, EVEN TIMES WHEN A COMPLAINT OR ACCUSATION WAS STATES AND WITH NO EXPLANATION ACCOUNTS SHUT DOWN…
…EVEN AFTER READING THESE, I STILL TOOK THE LEAP, THINKING “O NO! NO WAY THIS COULD HAPPEN TO ME – NOT ME, SOMEONE WHO GOES OUT OF HER WAY TO MAKE HER CUSTOMERS HAPPY – SOMEONE THAT ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT HER CUSTOMERS AND ISN’T HERE FOR JUST $$”
Well as I said it was going great! Tons of rates of great and feedbacks from customers thrilled with their purchases and the service I provided…
Then one day, (fyi in my payments for when I make purchases through Mercari I have a few different payment options) and I don’t know if you’re familiar or not but once a transaction is completed you have the ability to go in and look at the receipt of that transaction and on the receipt for payment method. It will show how the transaction was paid for.
-well when using a stored card all it states is: card! well when you have two or three different cards set up as payment methods, there is no way to tell which one was used by looking at your receipt so unless you have superb memory- good luck !
Because what happened next was I noticed some unfamiliar amounts being charged to one of my cards (from mercari). I went back through and I looked through my purchases-just the totals ( because looking at payment method would do me no good because I cannot tell which card was used). None of the totals of any of my purchases added up to these amounts that we are being charged to my one account.
So I got in contact with them through the helpdesk, or whatever it is called, and asked them for a detailed list of transactions that were billed to account ending in ( the last four digits of said account) – as I noticed some unfamiliar charges being billed to that account. When looking at the receipt of my transactions there is no way to tell which transactions were being billed to that card in order to eliminate actual purchases I made. Then furthermore – none of my transaction history totals match what is being billed to my account.
So basically, all I was asking for was a detailed list of my purchases and how I paid for them. The only information I was asking for was my own information. And only because they make it impossible for me to know what I needed to know by looking at the receipts that we can see on our end!
I got an email back stating that this was something they were unable to help me with and that I would need to contact my bank for further information.
Really?!?!
You can’t help me with a list of my transactions and the amounts and how they were paid? ! saw right there that it sounded fishy in itself – I just want my information – why can’t you give it to me as you don’t provide it on the receipt I can see from my end.
So next I went ahead and contacted the bank as they (mercari) said to me. That they will not help me so now I will go through my bank as they informed me I would have to do. Sure enough the amounts didn’t add up to any purchases I had made.
So of course we needed to deny the purchases in order to get the charges reversed. My bank helped me to do that.
Next thing, I received another email from Mercari stating that my bank wass looking into this and any time this will happen, fraudulent activity is suspected. They will flag my account fraudulent and my account will be deleted as soon as the last of my transactions are completed, which at that time I will be able to transfer any remaining balance over through direct apposite and my account will be immediately removed from Mercari indefinitely with no chance to buy or sell in the future !!!!????!!!
Wait! I only did what they told me to do – they couldn’t help me with these bogus charges to my account so I went to my financial institution like they suggested. I got my bank involved and now all of a sudden my account is marked fraudulent and I am being kicked off indefinitely?!?!
I still do not get how that works. I have asked numerous times I’ve stated I’ve only followed your directions and now you’re marking my account fraudulent and suspending it indefinitely?!?!
And guess what?!?!?
You guessed it- I cannot get an answer. I cannot get a response. All I’ve been told is they will leave my act open until the last of my transactions are through and then I will have the ability to transfer my remaining balance (the money I made from selling).
I will be able to transfer that over through direct deposit and then my account will be deleted permanently.
So now here I am – all of my transactions have gone through and I have a balance of over $100 that I went ahead and tried to transfer over through direct deposit.
And to tell you the truth, I’m not even very surprised but guess what, I am unable to transfer my funds ??!!!!?
Now when I ask why this is happening I am being told that I have to first verify my identity?!?!
I verified my identity I bet 10 times throughout my course of selling and buying on Mercari, which, may I add, was only maybe a matter of six months! How do we go from leaving my account open till all my transactions go through and at that time I will be able to transfer my balance over direct deposit to now it changes and I have to verify my identity once again before I can transfer my own funds over ?!?!
I’ve not decided if I’m even going to give them any more of my personal information – I am going to be contacting the Better Business Bureau and the FTC after submitting this comment to you because I can’t help but wonder –
once I give them some more personal information to “verify my identity” again and what will they ask for next? What is it going to take to get my funds released me ???
I’m sorry ahead of time for the length of this Comment I just thought it very important to share my supporting
Hey, AliMarie. Thank you for the detailed description of your experience with Mercari. First, I want to thank you because you inspired me with the way you treated your customers. Seriously! It’s awesome. Who would not like to be treated like that?
Yet the way Mercari treated you… Unbelievable. What a terrible experience! My logic and behavior in that situation would be similar to yours – and who would not try to figure out where these unfamiliar charges came from. Who would be so careless with his/her finances that he/she wouldn’t bother to check it out?
And to get penalized like this for that… Disgusting, to say the least.
Thank you for sharing about your experience. It helps a lot and gives a better picture to those who plan to do business with Mercari.
Stay safe,
Egon
Hello! am a long time user of Mercari, but I’ve experienced absolutely none of those problems that you’ve mentioned, is this version of Mercari you’re using the US version? the Japanese Mercari is an absolute pleasure to buy/sell with, a large majority of the people I’ve met are friendly and polite, and their products are really well preserved. The customer service is also extremely fast and helpful! I’m struggling to reconcile my experience with what you’ve described in the blog post above :(
Hey, Leila, and thank you for the comment. It is glad to hear there are people who have such a positive experience with Mercari. If you scroll through the comments here, you will see, it’s not only me who says so. A big majority (if not all) of the commentators here have had a bad (or extremely bad) experience with Mercari. You might be correct – that the US (or international) version of Mercari is the problematic one. It is good to know the Japanese version works well.
Thank you again for the comment, ma’am,
Stay safe,
Egon
Wow, so far, two transactions have been completed (me getting paid) and 4 items are currently on their way to the buyers. After reading this and other reviews online, I’m pretty nervous about those four arriving on time and getting my funds.
Thank you very much for your comment, Chester. I am glad to hear the first two transactions of yours have been positively completed. Hallelujah. I pray that everything would go smoothly for you, without any distractions or negative experience. But yes, there are just way too many complaints against Mercari and you must be always careful when dealing with them.
Stay safe,
Egon
I’m scared about this too! I recently shipped 9 items (expensive handbags and shoes). I’m scared I won’t get paid now. I’ve also found that the sellers that have communicated with me haven’t been particularly nice or cordial. They’re kind of bullying about shipping charges and other things. I’m going to make my listings inactive right now and hope for the best for the items that I’ve already sent.
Thank you for the feedback, Kamie. Based on so many complaints I have read in these comments, yes you must be super cautious while dealing with Mercari. It seems to me, many dishonest (or outright scammers) are exploiting the platform and Mercari often even sides with them. In my humble opinion, too risky. Better find a more trustworthy online marketplace.
Thank you again for the comment. I hope and pray (right now) that you may get paid for these items.
Stay safe,
Egon
This is a sale I had on Mercari for 2 items totaling $2800, after Mercari fees I would have had a net profit of $60.
Mercari took my Ssi number (no place does Mercari show protection of your personal information), Mercari approved my listing, Mercari approved the buyer, Mercari approved the sale, Mercari sent me shipping labels? Mercari asked me for receipts for my products which I produced paid in full! But no payment to me?
I have done a lot of internet research, MERCARI has complaints, petitions and consumer affairs complaints againts them in the thousands. They have illegal tactics like asking for your Social Security number, they keep buyer and sellers money with no explanation.
This is illegal. No one has the right to keep your money it must be given back.
I urge anyone that has had a problem with MERCARI to contact federal trade commission (you will get to talk to a real person at the FTC within 3 to 5 minutes of waiting on hold) (unlike MERCARI–who never answers the phone or an email) and Internet crime3.org. (IC3.ORG)
The more people that file complaints the faster you will get your money back. Federal trade commission will get your money back.
Contact the IRS, who will be getting a 1099K on all the “KEPT” funds? Will Mercari pay taxes on all the Monies stolen from sellers?
The list of illegal practices Mercari is committing is staggering, keep searching you will find them! Look at the “FINE” print!
Hey, NBK, and thank you for sharing about your experience with Mercari (even though it’s highly negative experience for you). However, because of your comment more people get warned and more people will be saved from falling into that nasty trap.
It’s just terrible… Such an ugly behavior by Mercari is an obvious slap on the face of their most honest and loyal customers. It is basically a “Screw you” to all of their customers. It’s like, “We do whatever we want and we don’t care.” Why on Earth you do that? Because obviously, they are so destructive of their own long term interests, through their stupidity, greed, and arrogance.
I hope you will get your money back and they get what they deserve.
Stay safe,
Egon
I have been selling and buying on Mercari for about 6 months with few to no problems. However, the one I’ve just encountered is very disheartening and agregious!
Victoria’s Secret Pink items are hot sellers and I’ve become quite a collector and keep up with their newest trends. I had a hoodie from their Fall 2017 line which is a destroyed type wash with factory rips in the cuffs and hem.
I posted this for sale with CLEAR pictures and it was BRAND NEW! I just didn’t like the way it fit me. It was purchased for $48. The buyer never rated and I had to wait the 3 days for the payment to be released. 10 days later, on Christmas I got a series of nasty messages from this woman telling me I did not send her what was pictured.
I again explained it was a new sweatshirt and asked her to identify the problem. She did not. I also told her she had 3 days to inspect and return and she did not. I ended up blocking her and immediately wrote to Mercari in which they responded the transaction was complete and no further action would be taken. 3 days later, after this woman had now had this hoodie for 2 Full weeks I received a message from Mercari saying she was being allowed to return it and they took funds back from another sale from me!
She apparently made up yet another lie about not being able to contact them sooner and so now I am not only out the $40 but I’m sure I will be receiving a damaged item back! Not only is it ridiculous to allow someone to return an item they’ve been in possession of for 2 weeks but I have all GREAT seller ratings and am an honest seller and this woman has about 5 buyer ratings that are probably all generated from not rating! Why should this be allowed?
Hey Melissa, and thank you for sharing your story. It’s just so sad to hear honest sellers like you (and, in fact, buyers as well) get ripped off like that and Mercari even supports such vile behavior. I am still very thankful that you decided to share your negative experience to my readers. That way people get a better picture of what kind of animal the Mercari platform really is. Because by now everybody should see Mercari is NOT trustworthy.
Stay safe,
Egon
Caveat emptor
Buyer Beware
Mercari = SCAM, FRAUD, GUILE, CHICANERY, DUPERY, HOAX, FAKE, SHAM, VILE, HORRIBLE, ATROCIOUS, NEFARIOUS, ETC. . . .
My first hand experience with Mercari was the purchase of a pair of sweat pants for a friend of mine. I had done a Google search for the product and went shopping on Google. One product was purchased and at the time I had never heard of Mercari and I did not even realize I was buying from a “business” I thought the seller was a private seller on eBay. The pants were shipped to my friend and when she opened the package the sweats were in her words “gross!” They were way oversized and on top of that they were old, and severely worn out. When my fiend told me, I said don’t worry I will have a return label sent to you. I am a seller on eBay and I knew my way around eBay. I was fortunate to find the order information and went to the web site for the seller. There was NO contact information. This was NOT eBay! What I realized in short order is that this “company”, Mercari is the antithesis of eBay. The seller has a “Store” on Mercari but there was no information about the seller or any way to contact them. I kept searching and eventually discovered a way to contact Mercari via email. I sent the following message:
“Reference to ♡NESSA’S TREASURES ♡
I purchased a pair of sweat pants for a friend of mine and they are several sizes too large. How do I return the item to the seller? There is no way to contact the seller directly.”
Signed
I received this reply to my email:
“Chelsea (Mercari)
Nov 30, 10:07 AM PST
Hey HDS,
Thanks for reaching out to us!
I’m so sorry your sweatpants did not arrive as expected. I know this must be incredibly frustrating but I am more than happy to help you resolve this.
I went ahead and created your return request. Please attach pictures of the item within 24 hours so we can review your request.
Make sure your pictures:
– are clear and focused.
– show the entire item. Front, back, sides, and any discrepancies.
– include every item you received.
– show the packaging the item was received in and the shipping label, if available.
To expedite the process, please reach out to your seller and ask them if they will accept the return.
Thanks for your patience!
Best,
Chelsea
Team Mercari”
The first thing I thought was very peculiar, was the salutation, HDS, which is the ID of my Google account. I had signed my message to them using my first name. It made me think this was a form reply generated by a computer which had use the “name” from my Google account as my name in the salutation.
There are several very unusual points to their unprecedented request for photos of the product:
1. The original image, yes only one, of the sweat pants on the Mercari site was of poor quality such that no details could be seen. The image of what was being represented as the pants was pants laid out on the floor.
2. They requested photos be taken of the product! In all my years of buying and selling on line I have NEVER been asked to take photos of anything I was returning and I did not request photos from the one customer who requested a return from me.
3. The photos, plural, were to be clear and focused.
4. Images were to show the entire item.
5. Images of the front, back, sides.
6. Images of the discrepancies.
7. And not to miss anything else they wanted every item photographed.
8. Plus they wanted detailed images of the packaging and the shipping label.
9. And they wanted all these images within 24 hours!
I was flabbergasted! Not only did they insult me by asking me to take a photo of the sweat pants but they wanted images from every angle inside and out! Plus images of the packaging and the label?!?! In 24 hours??!! As a buyer I have to document an item as described above to be able to return it but the sellers can post an out of focus poorly illuminated single image of a product they are selling? They should make their sellers adhere to the standards of the buyers!
I have never been so insulted and accused by any seller or organization in all the years of my on line dealings!
But it gets even better. The final sentence in the reply letter from “Chelsea” requested that I, “…please reach out to your seller and ask them if they will accept the return…” I had clearly stated that there is no way to contact the seller. I guess “Chelsea” can’t read.
When I incredulously re-read the message, I realized it was a form reply and was truly generated and sent by a computer. No real person could be so lacking of intelligence and common sense in replying to my initial message. Aside from the issue of photographs there are several glaring points about the message.
1. The salutation did not use my name provided in the initial message I sent, the computer got the ID from my Google account.
2. The sentence in the message, “ … I’m so sorry your sweatpants did not arrive as expected.” is totally out of order. The sweat pants did arrive as expected.
3. The fact that the sweat pants were much too large was not “… incredibly frustrating …” it sometimes happens when ordering clothing sight unseen.
4. Further, “Chelsea” wrote that she had initiated a “… return request.” Which is a bit peculiar especially with the aforementioned strict requirements for images within 24 hours.
5. They are requesting images of “… and any discrepancies…” There are discrepancies on old worn out sweat pants all over the place.
6. The reason the sweat pants were being sent back was because they were several sizes too big. However, had they been the correct size they would have been returned because they were severely worn out.
7. The request to, “…include every item you received…” Is a clear indication this message is a form generated by a computer. There was obviously only one item.
8. And I must plead with the seller and, “… ask them if they will accept the return…” if they will accept the return, IF. Really? If they will accept the return?
My reply to the mindless computer:
Nov 30
to Mercari
Chelsea,
Thank you for your reply. There is no way to contact the seller so we will have to do this through you.
The request for photos of the sweat pants is never done and sounds like a stall tactic method to summarily deny the return with no intention to even consider a return – I have never been asked to take photos of an item I have returned in my entire life. Further, the 24 hour time limit for photo submission is also another stall tactic with the same summary denial of return intent.
The person for whom I purchased the sweat pants lives 180 miles from my location and for me to get there will take me 3-4 hours travel time one way and I am unable to do that. She currently lives in a work release dormitory with severe limitations and have none of the abilities to return the package with the severe limitations you impose. Residents there can only place a prepaid label on a package and deliver the package to the director for posting.
What I need from you is to send a prepaid label to my friend. The address is:
Lorem ipsum dolor
sit amet consectetur
adipiscing elit 10001
Do not send it to me, I do not have the pants.
I appreciate your help in this matter.
Signed
To which the mindless computer sent me this:
“Chelsea (Mercari)
Nov 30, 1:55 PM PST
Hey HDS,
Thanks for getting back to me. I understand this can be a frustrating process.
To process your return request and verify the condition of the item, I’ll need well-lit zoomed out photos of the entire front and back. Please also include the packaging, if available, and any other items received.
We ask for photos, so we can better understand the request and make a fair decision for our buyer and seller.
As for the 24 hours, we just want to give our users a fair amount of time to be able to fulfill this request.
If you have any issues or further questions, please let me know within 24 hours, and I’ll be happy to assist you further!
Thank you for your patience!
Best,
Chelsea
Team Mercari”
1. Again with the salutation and someone really likes the word “frustrating”.
2. We ask for photos, so we can better understand the request and make a fair decision for our buyer and seller. What is there to understand the pants are way too big! And how will photos allow Mercari to “…better understand…” the pants are too big?
3. At this point there is no arbitration involved between the seller and buyer because the seller cannot be contacted by the buyer and Mercari has not made any attempt to contact the seller. So there is no precedence to, “… make a fair decision for our buyer and seller…” Mercari should be satisfying a paying customer.
4. “…As for the 24 hours, we just want to give our users a fair amount of time to be able to fulfill this request…” And 24 hours should be plenty of time? If you have nothing else to do, work, kids, shopping, errands, etc., etc., etc. Customers have lives, we do not sit around all day buying stuff on Mercari and have nothing else to do but take 12 pictures of every item we need to return. And as I pointed out the photographs and 24 hour limitation is part of the scam to summarily deny the return with no intention to even consider a return.
5. “…If you have any issues or further questions, please let me know within 24 hours, and I’ll be happy to assist you further!…” Which is all part of the scam if you don’t get back to them in 24 hours you loose, sucker! And we keep all your money, all part of a very well thought out plan to summarily deny the return with no intention to even consider a return.
My reply to the mindless computer:
Dec 1
to Mercari
Chelsea,
I am sure you read my previous message but I think you missed a key concept with the section about the limitations. I previously wrote, “. . . residents have . . . severe limitations and have none of the abilities to return the package with the severe limitations you impose. Residents there can only place a prepaid label on a package and deliver the package to the director for posting…”
There are no cameras. No one has any cameras nor any device which incorporates that function. NO CAMERAS. When I say residents, ” . . . can only place a prepaid label on a package and deliver the package to the director for posting…” I mean there are no cameras, no sissors, no stamps, etc., etc., etc. They can ONLY place a prepaid label on the package.
What I need from you is to send a prepaid label to my friend. The address is:
Lorem ipsum dolor
sit amet consectetur
adipiscing elit 10001
Do not send it to me, I do not have the pants.
I appreciate your help in this matter.
Signed
To which the mindless computer sent me this:
“Chelsea (Mercari)
Dec 1, 4:17 PM PST
Hey HDS,
We don’t want you to have to deal with the hassle of returning, so I went ahead and issued you a full refund of Mercari Credits.
You can view your Credits by going to My Page > Settings > Credits. You can use your Credits for purchases on Mercari, but don’t forget that Credits expire after 30 days.
Please note that in the future we will not be able to honor returns as such and this is a one-time courtesy.
Thank you for understanding.
Best,
Chelsea
Team Mercari ”
1. So now this has become a “…hassel of returning…” I am hassled customer, I am a hassle of a customer to deal with?
2. They have been so gracious and “…issued you a full refund of Mercari Credits….” A substitute for the cold hard cash I spent on the sweat pants. Cold hard cash Mercari will KEEP if I don’t buy some other junk from them and FAST! I only have 30 days to spend it. Would anyone with common sense buy anything else from a business that treats paying customers like this? As I said, all part of a very well thought out plan to summarily deny the return with no intention to even consider a return.
3. And another stern warning, “…we will not be able to honor returns as such…” Grammatically this statement makes no sense. But I believe they are just kicking me in the teeth.
4. And they will not offer such a wonderfully gracious gift EVER! “… and this is a one-time courtesy…”
My reply to the mindless computer:
Which I also sent a carbon copy CC in the header of the email to the Better Business Bureau
Dec 2
to info, Mercari
Well Chelsea,
You consider making a paying customer satisfied a “HASSLE”?!? And you insult me with a 30 day “credit” and a stern warning, “. . . that in the future we will not be able to honor returns as such and this is a one-time courtesy.”
On the contrary – I am not a “hassle” to be dismissed with simple keystrokes. I insist on a refund. The sweat pants were and remain several sizes too large. That was obvious as soon as the package was opened and the pants were looked at. The condition of the pants is unchanged. If they were new, unused, and had all the tags they remain in that condition. If they were 15 year old, moth eaten, stained, with holes in the knees, they remain in that condition. The pants have not changed. There is no reason for you not to accept them and issue a credit on my charge account. Especially now that you have defaulted. Send a return postage label to:
Lorem ipsum dolor
sit amet consectetur
adipiscing elit 10001
Thank you for satisfying a paying customer,
To which the mindless computer sent me this:
Dec 3
Alex
Alex (Mercari)
Dec 3, 5:58 PM PST
Hi HDS,
I’m sorry for the confusion. The “hassle” Chelsea was referring to, was the hassle of your or your friend having to return the pants to the seller. As a courtesy, and to make this process much easier for you, Chelsea reimbursed you in Mercari Credits without requiring you to return the pants.
Per your request, I’ve issued you a full refund in your original form of payment. Please keep in mind that it usually takes 5-10 business days for your financial institution to reflect the refund in your account.
Additionally, I’ve removed the reimbursement Credit from your account.
Please keep in mind that, in the future, all returns will require photo evidence.
Best,
Alex
Team Mercari
Did we finally get a reply from a person with a pulse? Unknown but maybe, still.
1. “… The “hassle” …” There is never a hassel of returning an item if the business is legitimate, reputable and honest. I have returned items to eBay and Amazon and other known reputable businesses who know why they are in business and who keeps them in business, the customer. In fact it is easy.
2. “… Mercari Credits …” I was given a store credit to a company that I would never ever consider making another purchase from in my life. How courteous of them.
3. “… without requiring you to return …” And they did not even require me to return the sweat pants, which, had you seen them you would wonder why they were even trying to sell such worn out, very used clothing in the first place. The seller did not want them back because they were worth nothing.
4. “… full refund …” The ONLY thing Mercari finally did correctly after my persistence, insistence and involving the Better Business Bureau was to issue a credit to my card. Yes, it did come through which is why I am only now writing this review.
5. “…removed the reimbursement Credit …” Oh yeah and they jerked that nice fat store credit away from me. I am really disappointed, I could have used that to buy more useless stuff.
6. “… in the future, all returns …” This is the biggest JOKE! He thinks I was treated so fairly that I will return to buy some more useless junk and I might want to return it.
There are plenty of legitimate, reputable, honest business out there that have well established track records of exceptional customer service. Do not bother considering buying or selling with Mercari you will get burned.
Once agin I say:
Buyer Beware and in this case Seller Beware
Mercari = SCAM, FRAUD, GUILE, CHICANERY, DUPERY, HOAX, FAKE, SHAM, VILE, HORRIBLE, ATROCIOUS, NEFARIOUS, ETC. . . .
Hey, Dan, and thank you for taking your time and writing about your experience with Mercari in great detail. It’s rather lengthy but I decided to publish it because it’s your story, your experience, and certainly there are people whom you will help with your story.
Thank you again and stay safe!
Egon
I’m in the middle of being shut down by Mercari, they are telling me all the things you all speak of. So basically, I will not be seeing my $300 dollars. So discouraging?
I really needed that money. Or I wouldn’t be selling! Funny how you have to have a tracking number when shipping. But when they say a buyer is shipping back, no tracking .. Mercari are thief’s!
Hey, Robin, and thank you for sharing about your personal experience with Mercari. I am saddened to hear you are about to lose a good chunk of your money… Seems to me they (Mercari) are good at one thing: to reduce their customers to tears… Terrible!
I still want to thank you for sharing your story to my readers so they can be more careful.
Stay safe,
Egon
I sell on Mercari. My complaint is that I have real gemstones from sapphires to emeralds set in nickel free silver. I am selling them for less than $100. Still sitting on there over 6 months. I have bought a few things. My biggest complaint is that I am unable to contact anyone from Mercari by phone or email. The only way is to use a message. I’ve sold a few items but need to try someplace else. For me the Mercari App is not a good app for selling. I don’t give away new unused real precious and semi-precious gemstones.
Hi, Sueanna, and thank you for sharing your troubles with Mercari. This is very alarming indeed and your testimonial will only confirm the fact that Mercari is not a trustworthy business partner.
I still hope you can settle with them and get back everything that belongs to you.
Stay safe,
Egon
This review was very helpful, I was going to download Mercari App, cause I heard they sold iPhones, which I’ve been looking to purchase for my daughter. But thank you so much for the insight it’s not worth the headache! Will not be downloading this App, thanks again.
Hey, Dee, and thanks for the comment. I am glad to hear you found my Mercari App review helpful. Also, I am glad I could save you from potential troubles and lost money. There are ever increasing number of complaints against the Mercari App and it is becoming increasingly evident is that the platform is NOT trustworthy.
Stay safe,
Egon
Don’t touch Mercari! Never had these issues even in EBay! Broken, counterfeit items received no refund! Last straw paid $110.00 money they take immediately btw, for a purse. Seller up and closes shop?! No idea. Just gone…. no notice even about refund from them! Even so takes 5-10 days! Why??? Such crap. Once I get my refund NEVER EVER AGAIN. I hate this place.
Hi, Cherie and thank you for the comment. I am saddened to hear you have had such a negative experience with the Mercari App. At the same time, I am glad you decided to share it to my readers and warn them. Thank you very much. I am baffled by the fact that so many people get deceived (in fact scammed) by these dishonest *business* people.
Stay safe,
Egon
Hi, I just recently made my first purchase on the Mercari App. After couple of days and several messages to the seller with no response, I made contact with customer service. They were quick to respond and said that they would contact the seller. A few hours later I heard back from the seller. She apologized and said she would ship the item..
A shipping label was created but three days later it still hasn’t shipped. Another message to customer service after two days of waiting was met with no personal response but a new message on the item page telling me to wait a total of three days.
The seller is not responding again. So… Being foolish and thinking that I may not receive this item, I took a chance and made a second purchase. Seller will not respond to messages.. So frustrating. I’m afraid to complain too much at this point because after reading some awful reviews there is a good chance they could suspend or deactivate my account.
Fingers crossed it works out. Live and learn.
Hi Renee, and thank you for sharing your story. You are right, it’s frustrating. Very frustrating. After reading complaints like this one it becomes more and more obvious that Mercari is increasingly unreliable platform. It’s more like a lottery – if you’re lucky, everything goes smoothly. If not, you get pissed. Bad. Very bad.
I really hope you will get your things sorted out, Renee.
Stay safe,
Egon
I have all 5 star rating from all my buyers and I came across a buyer who asked a lot of questions before she buying which it is fine and I did all I can to answer her questions and I also informed her about the shipping time. Then she agreed and made the payment. So by helping her I shipped out her order the next day. Then she complained and asked me why I shipped so fast. And she wanted to cancel. I told her that I can not cancel but can offer her a return for refund once she received it. She said that she doesn’t want to deal this way and went ahead to file a complain with mercari. Mercari without any question closed and suspended my account. I have other orders that is in progress and some already received and pending to rate. Mercari just deleted all the orders where my customers already received their items. So I messaged them and they stated that I will be able to deposit my funds where I have to complete my transaction. the point is you can not complete the transaction because the account is no where to be accessible once it is closed. They don’t inform you of what will happen to the completed transaction which you didn’t deposit to you bank yet. Literally I feel they have stolen money from me because my customer already paid for the items but mercari gets to keep the fund because my account is suspended?
Hey, Eugene,
Thank you for your feedback. Sad to hear you had such a terrible experience with Mercari. You are not the only one suffering that way. I have read many complaints where people have lost money in a similar way. And, in fact, that’s just exactly why I put a strong warning sign up and advised my readers to approach Mercari with extreme cautios. Yes, it’s possible to make good business using their platform. However, just one bad customer and your Mercari accounts will be mercilessly shut down.
Awful, to say the least.
If you want make a legit side-money online, Eugenie, have you already tried this? This is what I use to make legit side money online. After all, it won’t cost you a bean to find out if it can help you.
Stay safe.
Egon
My daughter bought an iPhone on this app. When it came it did not have a SIM card and T-Mobile will not unlock the phone without the phone number or account number previously linked to this iPhone.
The seller will not respond to our emails and we can’t get a response from mericari either.
Now, I have a heartbroken 13 year old who is out her birthday money.
Thank you for the feedback Audrey! It’s cruel, isn’t it? It is especially heartbreaking when children get ripped off like that. Words fail me to express my total disgust with the Mercari App.
I understand – all platforms have dishonest members. But it’s Mercari’s business to deal with them and help their honest customers. If they don’t do that… Well, then there is just one advice: Stay away from it. Don’t touch it. Toxic.
the old, free version of mercari was good. the respond turn around time was great, and they actually listened to the problems. i recently downloaded the app and found out now there’s a commission fee that must be paid to them, customer service does not respond, and they make it very difficult to find their customer support email. it takes them weeks to respond to me. i had an old account with my bank info linked that i couldn’t get into and they wouldn’t end the reset password to my email, so i had to make a new account. i asked them to delete my old account so i can link my bank account and lo an behold they cancelled both, so now i have money i sold in limbo. now they won’t answer me
Thank you Khayla. Your feedback sheds more light on Mercari and how trustworthy platform it is. And hey! What they are doing is NOT nice! In fact, I have no idea why turn a honest and successful trading platform into a scam like this. Truly, human greed (and stupidity) are limitless.
Your comment only confirms one thing – Stay away from the Mercari App. Even if it was a good trading platform in the past, it is outright toxic now.
Stay safe.
Egon
Good review. I was a sucesfull seller in mercari, no problem with buyers, suddenly one day got message from mercari telling me I have another account with them (not true), they cancelled my account (no proof or exlanation). When they cancel an acct, they erase your email so you are not able to login anymore, they kept the money you have at that time and they have no phone number, you loose the only way to comunicate with them.
If you create another acct to see if you can claim or ask why your initial acct was cancelled then they will say that have you have 2 accts and cancel that one too, is a lose-lose situation. Dont do biz with them, avoid it at all cost
Hi, Mil, and thank you for the feedback. Your comment will help my other readers understand the true nature of the Mercari App. The more I read Mercari App complaints and testimonials, the more it seems to me that it’s like gambling – If you’re lucky you can make good business with them. But when luck against you, things will go out of your control and there’s nothing you can do to stop the downward spiral.
I got scammed once that way. I don’t remember the product name anymore but those scammers offered me 60 day money back guarantee. I was carried away by it and forgot to check how to contact them. Then when it dawned to me that it was a scam and tried to contact them to ask my money back… Only then I learned that they did not provide any contact information. I learned the lesson the hard way.
So if Mercari App closes your access to your account, they effectively stop you from communicating with them. So awfully dishonest!
Yes, if you don’t want to get mugged, better don’t do business with them. There are much better platforms to build your own passive income online. Like this one here.
Stay safe.
Egon
I had been selling on Mercari for about 6 months and because l had one customer that made a complaint. They suspended my account but told me they wouldn’t delete my account until all my sales were final so l still had money coming to me. Then when the buyers had rated me and my money was released they told me that they were going to put a freeze on my funds for 60 or 90 day’s. So l can’t get my money until August. Please tell me where they have the right to hold my money. Their rules are if the buyer doesn’t make a complaint in three days then the sales are final. They don’t have a 60 to 90 day return policy. Please if anyone reading this has any advice, share your thoughts.
Thank you for the feedback, April.
As for your problem, that’s why these schemes are designed in the first place – to rip off innocent day-traders. It’s tragic but that’s how it is. The reason why you cannot withdraw your funds is that the scammers have already divided and spent the loot. You may want to try but remember, people behind the Mercari app are heartless online criminals.
Is your broker regulated or unregulated? If it is regulated broker, you can submit a complaint and see what happens. If it is some overseas unregulated broker, I am afraid you can kiss that money goodbye, there is no way to get it back.
Hey there,
I was about to get this app and start selling when I jump on the part where you said that most people complain of delayed payments.
And worst of all, it has been suspended for 13 days! Man, I don’t want to suffer the same problems. Do you have any other alternatives I can use?
Hi, Dave, and thank you very much for the feedback. I appreciate it a lot.
I am glad you found my review helpful. Also, I am happy to hear you did not give your money to scammers. Frankly, they don’t deserve it.
As for the alternative ways to make legit (side) money online, have you tried this? Take a closer look and see whether it can help you. It won’t cost you a penny to figure out if it is for you.
I personally like it very much (I use it since 2013 and I am very satisfied with their service). Here’s why.
Stay safe and God bless you, sir :)
Egon
For those looking for an alternative to Mercari but has far less features (such as an entire purchasing platform) there is an App called LetGo.
It is a buy and sell app however they just allow you to post your listings on their app for free (you can purchase Post Boosts for $1.99). They do not have any kind of purchasing support as they encourage Buyers & Sellers meeting in person so it’s more like a local classified, however as a seller, your listings will look similar to Mercari, and while they encourage Face 2 Face Purchases, I contact them about my self offering the ability to accept Credit Cards myself and Shipping my products and they advised this is completely acceptable as long as you know what your doing and know how to protect yourself from purchasing fraud.
So while LetGo does not have all the bells and whistles as Mercari nor has anyway for you to accept payment through the App, some very well setup Product Listings can net you a lot of sales. I have been using the App for s number of years now and while you need to be able to process your own payments, print your own Postage, and potentially spend a bunch of time merging people in a mutually safe public place or have a Shipping Account with say Stamps.com or USPS.com directly. The nice thing is that a ton of people use the app, and surprisingly there are likely more people looking for the items your offering in your local area than you likely realize.
Other Mobile App Alternatives to Mercari – Offer Up, 5 mile, Etsy, there are a few others, but these are the best known. Cheers!
Hey John, and thank you very much for the feedback. Hope people will find which one of these products they like most.
Cheers,
Egon