Is Mercari trustworthy? Tips for Buyers
Mercari is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell new or used items. Mercari offers a convenient and affordable shopping experience and a great place to find unique items.
It is normal to wonder whether a new platform is legit or not. After all, no one likes getting scammed. So if you wanted to find out if Mercari is trustworthy you have come to the right place.
We tried this platform for ourselves as buyers and found all the ins and outs of how to purchase stuff for cheap.
Sellers post stuff they no longer value, their loss is our gain as buyers. Because they are willing to sell their items for much lower than market value. As it happens on any platform that becomes popular, not everyone is honest. But don’t worry, we have your back.
This guide will teach you how to avoid scams on Mercari. As a buyer, you can purchase from Mercari confidently if you follow the tips in this guide.
Can you buy in Mercari without getting scammed?
Yes, you can buy from Mercari without getting scammed. Even though there is always the potential for scams on any platform, buyers can do a few things to minimize their risk of being scammed.
Here are three ways to avoid being scammed:
- It is essential to only deal with sellers who have a good rating on the site.
- Users should be careful about what personal information they share with sellers.
- Pay via a secure payment method like PayPal. By following these simple tips, users can help to protect themselves from being scammed on Mercari.
What is Mercari, by the way?
Mercari is a mobile marketplace similar to eBay where people can post their stuff for sale.
Listing an item is simple, and sellers can set their own prices. They can also ship items directly to buyers or meet up in person if you’re local.
Mercari is a great way to declutter your home, earn some extra cash, or find unique items at a fraction of the retail price.
Mercari was created in 2013. It now has 20 million users,
Also Read: Worst Purchases To Avoid In Your 20s
How to buy in Mercari without getting scammed
The “Fake Shipping” Scam
This scam involves sellers claiming they will ship an item to you but never actually do so. To avoid this scam, ensure you only work with sellers with a good track record of shipping items in a timely manner.
Audit the reputation of a seller by going into their profile and checking their reviews. If they have a good track record of delivering goods on time and accurately, it shows you can buy from them without getting scammed.
The “Too Good to Be True” Scam
This scam involves listings for items that are priced significantly below market value. The scammer’s goal is to get you to pay for the item before you realize that you’ve been duped. To avoid this scam, be sure to do your research on pricing before making a purchase.
Items that are heavily discounted are not necessarily a scam. You also have to check the seller’s reputation.
The “Bait and Switch” Scam
This scam occurs when a seller lists an item for sale but then tries to switch the item for a different one after you’ve paid. To avoid this scam, inspect the item carefully before completing the transaction. It’s always good to ask questions about the item and even request more pictures from different angles.
The ” counterfeit” scam
This scam involves selling fake or counterfeit items as if they were real. To avoid this scam, be sure to do your research on the item you’re interested in purchasing and only buy from reputable sellers. Unfortunately, determining the legitimacy of some items, such as purses or shoes, can be challenging.
Fake clothing has been improving to the point that it requires a keen eye to look for minor discrepancies.
It helps to have good knowledge of the brand you’re interested in. You can also ask the seller where they purchased the item or if they have the original receipt. This can help you to weed out buying counterfeit items.
In the unfortunate event that you regret buying an item, you can always follow our guide on how to fix buyers remorse.
Inspect photos properly
Smartphones have come a long way in terms of picture quality. However, if you see pictures of low quality, it can indicate that the seller may have just downloaded a generic image online and listed it for sale.
The best way to tell if pictures are legit is by checking for photos taken from all angles. In addition, you can request additional images. Any seller with a good reputation will grant you that.
Pay using Paypal
When you use PayPal instead of your regular credit card, you enjoy the benefits of PayPal protection.
Paypal has really gone out of its way to protect buyers. By using this method, you’ll be able to get a refund in case something goes wrong.
The “extra discount” if you pay outside Mercari
Some unscrupulous sellers may try to give you an extra discount if you pay them directly. This is an attempt to steal your money if you pay them outside the Mercari platform.
The best way to avoid this scam is to use the Mercari platform to carry out any transactions. You can always go back and get a refund when you use their platform.
What are some Mercari Reviews?
According to TrustPilot, Mercari has an average review of three stars. However, when you head to the reviews section, you’ll find a mix of opinions. The most common complaint is people not getting the stuff they ordered.
Another common complaint comes from the sellers who feel Mercari fees are too high. Luckily, if you are the buyer, this is not a concern for you.
What are Mercari fees for buyers?
Mercari has no fees for buyers, so you can buy with confidence. If the seller has agreed to pay for shipping, you won’t even have to worry about that.
One of the fees not included in the sale is the warranty. As a buyer, you can decide whether you need to get a warranty on the item. However, if you decide to get a warranty, you’ll have to pay that as a seller.
Warranty is offered through Mercari and other partners.
What is Mercari Protection for Buyers?
Mercari goes the extra mile to protect its buyers. Once you’ve purchased an item they will hold the payment for three days before releasing it to the seller.
This allows you 72 hours from the time you receive your purchase to inspect the item and ensure the condition is as described. Once you have rated the transaction as satisfactory, then all sales are final.
You can get a refund if:
- The seller lied about the condition
- The seller didn’t ship the item
With these protections, it is easy to see why so many people buy from Mercari. You can also purchase with confidence. Just ensure not to rate the seller if you get a defective item.
Can I Buy From Sellers With No Reviews?
Yes, you can purchase confidently from sellers with no reviews. A seller with no reviews is someone that has joined Mercari recently and hasn’t sold on the platform yet. Sellers with no reviews can be trusted as long as they promptly answer your questions and the items sold seem legitimate.
If you have read our article, you can spot bad sellers from good ones. Only because a seller has no reviews doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be trusted.
Buyers Beware
We hope this blog post has helped you learn about some of the most common scams on Mercari so that you can avoid them and have a positive experience using the site.
Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!
By applying the advice in this article, you can confidently purchase items on Mercari. Furthermore, you should be able to spot fake sellers from real ones.
So happy hunting and enjoy the discounts you can find on this great platform.
