Mercari is a Japan-based online marketplace or platform that allows users to buy and sell a wide range of products. Competing within the ranks of popular platforms like eBay and Poshmark, Mercari enables sellers and buyers to buy almost anything from furniture, electronics, toys, sneakers, designer handbags from Gucci, and a whole lot more.
Now, the question is that with such a wide range of goods for sale, is it possible to get scammed on Mercari? Yes, just like with most marketplaces on the internet, the likelihood of getting counterfeit goods is still high. That is why we've compiled everything you need to know on how you can avoid getting robbed of your money with online scams in Mercari.
Is Mercari legit?
Mercari is a completely legitimate and reliable online marketplace. Both sellers and buyers are real people. However, they aren't retailers. So, this means that there is, unfortunately, no guarantee that the people buying and selling on it are all legitimate. That is why you need to be assured about the seller as well as the buyer when dealing.
How safe is it to buy from Mercari?
Mercari is safe for both sellers and buyers as long as you follow the rules and guidelines of the platform and are aware of the warning signs to look out for before talking with any buyer or seller.
For example, you see someone selling a diamond for only $99, this in itself screams suspicious, and you should be skeptical.
How people got scammed on Mercari
Most of the time, scammers have a fresh, almost newly created seller profile without reviews on their profile. If this doesn't sound off alarms in your mind, it really should.
Fortunately, the buying process on Mercari consists of simple instructions that any novice will be at ease to use and follow because buyers have the power to rate the seller first before Mercari releases the money to them, so needless to say that this only happens with a legit business.
A good thing to note is that dealing outside of Mercari is strictly against their guidelines, and therefore Mercari will not be liable for any damages.
Mercari Authenticate
On any online marketplace, it is important to do your research on what you are buying and who you are going to be buying it from. In many instances of fraud, this happens mainly because buyers and sellers are not aware of the warning signs to watch out for, such as:
- Never deal outside the app
- Don't share personal information
- Make a strong password
- Be skeptical
- Never share login details
- Do not sell prohibited items
- Use a credit card instead of a debit card
With the surging popularity of resale for designer goods, occasional sellers enlist the aid of independent third-party authenticators to verify if their goods are the real deal and avoid counterfeit items.
The platform provides authentication services better known as Mercari Authenticate to make the lives of both sellers and buyers easier. Real luxury is made easier by getting your designer items authenticated on Mercari within 48 hours. This works by having an independent third party authentication team conduct a careful inspection of the luxury item to guarantee its authenticity by checking the photos (such as the photos of the handbag that you've provided) for the logo or icon, tag, material, and identifying and verifying the serial number.
Once you submit your luxury item, it will then be authenticated and go live to millions of shoppers and possible buyers within 48 hours once verified. This is convenient because, unlike most authentication services, Mercari does not require shipping, so you can get your item's authenticity reviewed with a professional authentication right from your phone.
How it works
- Snap a few good photos. - Take quality photos of your item up for authentication, and Mercari will send them off to the pros with no trip to the post office required.
- Get it reviewed. - After providing all the photos, sit tight for 48 hours for the authenticator's verdict. Mercari will keep you updated.
- Get it live. - Once your item has been confirmed to be authentic, it will be listed, featuring an Authenticate badge.
Having an authentication badge on your listing is not only an eye-catcher but also a bonus for buyers to trust your shop. It wills your rapport and leaves people with the impression of how credible you are as a seller, which will ultimately lead to more sales.
As a seller, you should always be meticulous and wary about who and what you deal with. The last thing you want is to be scammed. And it takes focus and a dedication of time if you're just starting to learn the tricks of the trade to avoid scammers. This leaves you with little time to do your routine listings and listings that take up a lot of manual work and effort, among a lot of other things. The best investment advice is to optimize your operation by first minimizing your manual processes such as listing (and re-listing items) across multiple platforms like Poshmark and eBay by using automation software to do all this and more to grow your business.
OneShop is a great software to get you started with its easy-to-use interface and readily customizable tools. So, without worry, you can leave the manual and time-consuming tasks behind so you can focus on more important things to grow your business. OneShop also functions as your virtual assistant that works 24/7 to improve your reach by automating shares, follows, and more!
Try it for yourself, register for free, and enjoy a 7-day trial with no commitment or credit card required.