Poshmark vs Mercari

To buy or sell products on the internet today, you need a functional online marketplace.

If you are exploring an online marketplace, there are several available including Etsy, Mercari, Poshmark and others. LetGo, Depop etc. have their apps online. So clearly there are ample options in the market.

However, you need to choose the one that is right for you. Last week, we reviewed LetGo against Mercari and also did Etsy vs Depop.

Today, we are going to look at Mercari vs Poshmark, two of the popular platforms. We will tell you which one to consider. So let’s begin.

What Is Poshmark?

Poshmark is a social online marketplace that makes selling online relatively simple. From the statistics, every second Poshmark records at least one sale.

Over 60 million users use Poshmark, mostly from Canada and the United States. Since its launch, Poshmark has recorded over 100 million items listed for sale.

To use, you simply need to capture photos of the items you want to sell and upload them by web or via their mobile app. Afterward, provide the product price, description, and you’re good to go.

Currently, Poshmark boasts of industry-leading investors such as GGVCapital, Mayfield, SVAngel, and Union Grove.

What Is Mercari?

Mercari is a notable online marketplace that was launched to help people sell their items.

Additionally, Mercari was first introduced in Japan before its launch in the United States in 2014. Hence, Mercari has a Japanese version.

In the United States alone, Mercari has recorded over 50 million app downloads on both Android and iOS app stores. Furthermore, merchants list over 350,000 new products on their community-powered marketplace every day.

How To Get Started

Poshmark

You can set up and launch your selling store with Poshmark in just 30 seconds. Signup is possible on the website or via the mobile app after download.

Likewise, you can sign up using either your Facebook or Gmail account. With your created account, you can upload your profile picture and fill in other details like gender, zip code, etc.

Before getting to your dashboard, you are required to follow at least three brands. There are top brands in the options, including Nike, Polo, Gucci, Adidas, Vans, Supreme, etc.

Mercari

You can sign up on Mercari from their mobile app or via the website. In the same vein, you can either use an email address or connect your Facebook account for the registration process.

After completing the signup process, you should complete your profile before you start selling on the marketplace. Furthermore, for your account to be valid, you should complete the phone verification process.

By clicking on Confirm Your Identity from the settings section, you will get a 4 digit verification code. Enter the verification code and then confirm. Alternatively, you can also receive your verification code by voice call.

Verdict

Both Poshmark and Mercari have quick, easy signup processes, but Poshmark wins due to its Gmail support.

Product/Item Listing

Poshmark

Whether you use the web or the mobile app, product listing is easy. Simply click on “Sell” and proceed to upload the product details.

This includes photos, product title, description, quantity, size, category, tags, brand, color, price, availability, and any other additional details. You can upload up to 16 pictures for a product.

Once done, click on next, and your product will be listed. However, you should let others know by sharing on social media. There’ll be options to share the product link on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest.

Mercari

You can list any product on Mercari so long as it doesn’t violate their Prohibited Items Policy. To begin, click on “Sell” on the web or the mobile app.

Next, upload good photos of your product. The first uploaded picture must be of good quality, and it should highlight the product features since it will be the featured image. Nevertheless, Mercari recommends a minimum of four photos.

After that, provide a product description that will include the product size, brand, and condition. Finally, add the product price, select your preferred shipping method, and select List to publish.

Verdict

In this Mercari vs Poshmark feature comparison, it is a draw as product listing on both marketplaces is quite easy.

Shipping & Delivery

Poshmark

Poshmark ships products via the United States Postal Service (USPS), and it is recommended that you submit them in USPS boxes. It takes between 1 to 3 days before your product is shipped.

Likewise, Poshmark ships product packages with packing slips. The order number, listing title, listing image, buyer user name, and price are among the featured details. You can also choose to include SKU.

The shipping fee is $7.11 for all orders irrespective of the product type and size. Customers pay the shipping fee, and it is included alongside the product price on checkout pages.

Mercari

Mercari supports shipping via UPS or FedEx. Plus, you can use self-ship. You can either purchase your labels or make use of Mercari prepaid labels.

If you choose to ship with UPS or FedEx, simply take your product along with the Mercari order shipping code to any of their locations. They will package your product, print the labels, and then ship.

If you are self shipping, then you’ll have to purchase your labels with tracking. The shipping rate is not flat and depends on the product size. The price of small products is $20.00.

Verdict

Mercari wins here as it supports more shipping methods than Poshmark, although it has higher shipping rates.

Product Bundles

Poshmark

Poshmark supports bundle shopping that allows customers to purchase multiple products from a buyer and pay less for shipping.

It’s simple as all customers need to do is select “Add to Bundle” on every product they’re interested in and pay afterward. However, this feature won’t be active if the seller doesn’t offer a bundle discount.

As a seller, you can offer a bundle discount from the ‘My Seller Discounts’ menu under Account Settings. For the app, you navigate to the ‘My Seller Tools’ menu and then tap on the ‘My Seller Discount’ option. Simply turn the ‘Bundle Discounts’ menu on and then click on ‘save.’

Mercari

You can create product bundles on Mercari, but first, you must confirm the particular items your customers want to purchase.

Then, you have to create a new listing that’ll exclusively feature these products. You should upload general photos and provide descriptions as well.

Also, you have to calculate the dimension of all products and combined weight. The package might be rejected if the package’s measurement and weight exceed what’s on the label.

Post the bundle and notify the customer to proceed with the purchase. You can deactivate the listing afterward or allow others to purchase.

Verdict

I find creating product bundles on Poshmark easier than on Mercari.

Seller Tools

Poshmark

Poshmark has a handful of tools that makes selling easy for users. First off are the Posh stories on the mobile app. These are just like stories on Whatsapp, Instagram, etc., but they stay longer, up to 48 hours.

There’s also the Poshmark bundle already discussed and the Posh markets that make it easy to connect with other sellers and discover the latest brands with products you can sell.

You can put your store on vacation hold if you will be unavailable temporarily. Furthermore, you have access to inventory and sales reports.

Mercari

Selling on Mercari requires uploading product pictures and listing products. However, sellers can command a profile just like on social media platforms.

Buyers can follow them, giving sellers an advantage as these buyers get notified whenever a new product is published.

Furthermore, Mercari has a chat feature. Sellers can interact with buyers and know what products, discounts, etc. they need and capitalize on them.

Verdict

With more seller tools, Poshmark wins in this Mercari vs Poshmark comparison category.

Fees

Poshmark

There are no recurring fees with using Poshmark like monthly or yearly subscription. You only get charged after making a sale.

Poshmark also doesn’t charge listing fees, but they charge flat commission rates for every sale. If you sell products lower than $15, $2.95 is charged as commission, which means you get $12.05.

For orders up to $15 or higher, the commission rate charged is 20 percent. For example, when you sell a product for $100, Poshmark will take $20 while you get $80. These fees are deducted automatically when customers make purchases.

Mercari

Mercari offers free registration as well. Fees are not charged for creating listings but are charged for a commission rate and payment processing fees, amongst other transaction fees.

You are required to pay a minimum 10 percent commission fee for every completed sale. For each payment, a 2.9 percent payment processing fee plus $0.30 is charged. For instance, for a $100 payment you receive, you are charged $2.9 + $0.30, which totals $3.2.

Mercari charges $2 when you make withdrawals to your bank account for amounts lower than $10 or if you withdraw via the ‘Instant Pay Transfer’ option.

Verdict

Poshmark has straightforward fees, while that of Mercari is complicated. Also, Poshmark doesn’t charge payment processing fees.

Payment

Poshmark

When your customers pay on Poshmark, the money gets deposited in your Poshmark account within 3 days max. You can either request a bank cheque or withdraw it to your bank account.

For a successful withdrawal, you should provide accurate bank account information. This includes the account number, routing number, name of the account, and account type.

If you chose to be paid by bank cheque, you simply need to select “Check Request” for your balance page. You will receive it via USPS first class mail, although it might take up to two weeks to arrive.

Mercari

Your payment is available on Mercari when your buyers confirm they have received their items. There are two withdrawal options, Instant Pay and Direct Deposit.

With Instant Pay, Mercari deposits payment into your debit card within minutes at a $2 fee, as mentioned earlier. However, the maximum you can withdraw with Mercari is $500 per month.

Direct deposit takes within 2 to 5 business days and you’ll be charged $2 if less than $10, as mentioned earlier. Mercari also charges a $2 fee if your bank rejects your deposit.

Verdict

Mercari has a faster means of crediting sellers with Instant Pay, although there are fees and attached limits.

Seller Protection

Poshmark

Once customers purchase your products on Poshmark, you will receive a prepaid USPS priority mail shipping label. With this label, you are covered by Poshmark when you submit the products to USPS for shipping.

If issues occur during product shipping, you will receive full compensation. Likewise, if you intend to ship an order worth more than $400, you have to peg your signature for additional USPS protection.

Once USPS scans the product, you and your customer will get the tracking information by email. Also, you can keep track of your product until delivery is completed.

Mercari

Mercari offers a $200 seller protection. You can claim a refund if your product is either damaged or lost during transit.

To claim this refund, you’ll have to present your case to Mercari once you get notified of any problems with your product. After the claim is reviewed, Mercari will credit you within five business days.

However, this shipping protection is only applicable if you make use of Mercari prepaid shipping labels. You cannot claim compensation if you self ship, and your product gets lost or damaged in transit.

Verdict

Poshmark offers more seller protection for goods worth over $400, while Mercari offers only a $200 seller protection.

Affiliate Program

Poshmark

Poshmark offers a Posh Affiliate Program that allows participants to earn cash rewards to advertise Poshmark and bring prospects.

To participate in this affiliate marketing program, you have to be a social media influencer (have at least 5,000 followers on mainstream social media platforms) or a Posh Ambassador.

You can become a Posh Ambassador by being an active and profiled seller. You need at least 15 sales, an average of 4.5-star ratings, 50 listings, over 5,000 self-shares, and more.

If qualified, you just have to connect your social media accounts to Poshmark from your account sharing settings.

Mercari

Mercari doesn’t offer any direct affiliate program. However, they sometimes run affiliate programs on top affiliate networks. This includes networks like Skimlinks, Viglink, Shareasale, Flexoffers, etc.

Verdict

Clearly, Poshmark wins as Mercari has no affiliate program.

Sales Reports

Poshmark

With Poshmark, you get downloadable sales reports that include all your sales information within a chosen time frame. This is accessible on both the mobile app and the web platform.

For the mobile app, navigate to your Account Tab and then select My Seller Tools. On the next page, select My Sales Report and set your ideal time frame. Then, select an Email report.

The same applies to the web platform, but the My Sales Report page is accessible from your Order Activity under your Account Tab. Aside from that, you can also monitor your user stats, including your Posh Ambassador status, self-shares, direct shares, available listings, etc.

You can quickly locate the My Posh Stats dashboard under Order Activity on the web platform and under My Seller Tools on the mobile app.

Mercari

From your Mercari dashboard, you can get a rundown of your store activities, including the number of your active listings, orders in progress, balance, etc.

The reports are divided into two sections; account statistics and performance. In the account statistics section, you get a rundown of your revenue, profit, completed sales, etc.

The performance sections provide reports on your CTR, item views, impressions, likes, rating, cancellations, response rate, etc. You can sort the timeframe to generate exportable reports.

However, this feature is only fully accessible from the web platform and can be unlocked after you have listed at least four items.

Verdict

Both Poshmark and Mercari deliver sales reports and stats, but Mercari wins thanks to its comprehensive reports.

Customer Support & Resources

Poshmark

The Poshmark support team can be contacted by sending a contact form. Aside from that, you can get self-help from the articles and guides provided in the help center.

Basically, the Poshmark help center contains over 300 articles on different sections, including getting started, account management, buying, selling, programs and events, FAQs, and others. The marketplace also features a blog for updates and news.

As a Poshmark seller or buyer, you can join the Poshmark community to interact with other users. Also, Poshmark is accessible on social media.

Mercari

As a Mercari user, you can get all the help you need from their help center. To contact the Mercari support team directly, you have to be logged in, and you can contact them by phone or email.

Articles in the help center are categorized for easy navigation. The categories include getting started, account management, shipping, handling, buyers guide, sellers guide, marketplace guidelines, tax information, etc.

Other resources provided by Mercari include a blog and usage policies. You can connect with Mercari on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Verdict

You can go with either Mercari or Poshmark here as both online marketplaces offer reliable customer support and resources.

Similarities & Differences

Similarities

Both Poshmark and Mercari feature a mobile app.
Both Poshmark and Mercari have an easy signup process.
They both support bundle discounts.
They both allow free product listing but charge commission on sales.
Both Mercari and Poshmark provide users with seller protection.

Differences

Poshmark ships via USPS while Mercari ships via UPS, FedEx, and supports self shipping.
Poshmark has flat shipping, while Mercari has relatively high and flexible shipping rates.
Mercari has multiple fees, while Poshmark charges a commission on sales only.
Poshmark offers better seller protection than Mercari.
Poshmark offers an affiliate program, while Mercari doesn’t.
Poshmark is available in the US and Canada, while Mercari is available in the US and Japan.

Pros & Cons

Poshmark Pros

Web and mobile apps
Easy signup process
Flat shipping rates
Bundle discounts
Affiliate marketing program
Reports and stats
Over $400 seller protection

Postmark Cons

Only USPS shipping

Mercari Pros

Web and mobile apps
Easy signup process
Seller protection
Bundle
Deep reports and stats
UPS, FedEx, and self-shipping

Mercari Cons

High shipping rates
Multiple fees
No affiliate program