Is Mercari Legitimate? Here’s What Buyers and Sellers Should Know
Written by
Caitlyn Moorhead
Edited by
Melanie Grafil
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Designer goods, even when gently used, have a way of making a statement. Unfortunately, in many cases, high-end and name-brand items seem to be out of reach for many people. That is, unless you know where to shop so it is good to compare marketplaces before shelling out your credit card or listing any items for sale.
See: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000
There’s no shortage of online marketplaces for either buyers or sellers, however, it is important to know that when you purchase something you are getting what you paid for, and that your personal information is safe.
Quick Take: Is Mercari Legitimate?Â
Mercari is a Japanese e-commerce online marketplace for a wide variety of goods and products. Mercari offers a free app available on Google Play or at the App Store. Here are some things you should know about when buying and selling on Mercari:
- Mercari is a legitimate company and its platform is where you can shop for good deals, or even make some extra cash as a seller.Â
- Though the site has thousands of sellers there isn’t technically a verification process. With that in mind, know it is possible to get scammed on Mercari so exercise caution and never give your credit or debit card information to a seller outside the platform.Â
- You have to bring your own buyer protection mentality to the table and know that if a deal seems too good to be true, it just might be. For example, if you see a big designer name on something priced at $20, there is a good chance that the seller on Mercari is hocking fake goods.
- As a buyer, Mercari customer service does take some measures to protect you. For instance, if you don’t get the product you paid for you will receive a full refund.Â
- As a seller, when you sell items or ship items, Mecari does protect you up to $200 in case a package is damaged or lost according to the tracking number.
- Once an item is sold on Mercari, the seller will be paid and Mercari will release payments even if the buyer wants to return the item.Â
- Mercari specializes in great deals on name-brand items that have been gently used.
- It’s free to list items for sale on Mercari, so you can list as many items as you want without incurring a fee.
- Mercari prepaid labels are an affordable and safe way to ship and track trading cards.
- There is also the Mercari Local which is like Facebook Marketplace in that you can get access to deals and listings near you which helps with quicker transactions, shipping costs and you don’t have to wait any amount of business days before you get your purchase.
How Is Mercari So Cheap?
In terms of selling items, Mercari only charges a 10% commission fee based on the item price. This is a competitive, or very often cheaper, rate than other big buying and selling platforms. If you are shopping or buying on Mercari, you can find great deals on high-end items as they are often second-hand or gently used. If you don’t mind upcycling this can be a great way to save some money on designer brands.
Is It Safe to Shop on Mercari?
No online marketplace is immune to fraudulent behavior or can avoid getting scammed altogether, however, Mercari does try to protect its users from potential risks and red flags. Though technically there is no verification process for items or sellers, as long as you avoid making payments outside of the platform you should be safe. The Mercari Group offers a highly secure platform for your bank account and credit card information.
Final Take To GO: Is Mercari Legit?
Mercari is the real thing. You can find gently used designer items for sale or even sell some items for some extra cash on this online marketplace. If you are worried about Mercari selling authentic goods, then you are not alone as it goes to great measures to ensure there are no replicas, knockoffs, imitations or any inauthentic products on its site or app.Â
FAQ
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about Mercari and whether or not it's legitimate.- Is it safe to buy from Mercari?
- Yes. Overall, Mercari does try to protect its users from potential fraud and help them avoid getting scammed. Though technically there is no verification process for items or sellers, as long as you avoid making payments outside of the platform you should be safe. The Mercari Group offers a highly secure platform for your bank account and credit card information
- Why is Mercari so cheap?
- Mercaris is often cheaper than other sites for buyers and sellers for many reasons. For example, Mercari only charges a 10% commission fee based on the item price. If you are shopping or buying on Mercari, you can find great deals on high-end items as they are often second-hand or gently used. If you don't mind upcycling this can be a great way to save some money on designer brands
- How does Mercari work?
- You can list items on Mercari for free in a matter of minutes. Once an item is sold Mercari will email you a shipping label, and it will take a 10% commission fee based on the price of the item. You can buy anything from designer clothing to collectibles and as long as you make payments through the platform the transactions are typically safe from scams.
- Is Mercari safe for credit cards?
- Yes, if you make payments through the platform and not to the seller directly, Mercari offers a high level of security for your debit card, bank account or credit card information.
- Are items on Mercari authentic?
- Mercari specifically states on its site that any item that is an imitation, replica or not authentic should not be listed on Mercari. This isn't to say that scammers still may not try but Mercari reviews all items and if something is suspected to be fake or inauthentic it will be removed from the platform.
