Digital marketplaces have become so popular in recent years because of their convenience and that it bypasses a lot of otherwise cumbersome processes of face to face transactions. You may call it the modern department store if you will.
The marketplace doesn’t have to own anything that is put up on their site or application before products can be sold.
Online marketplaces also offer flexibility in terms of payments and it eliminates any geographical challenges between buyers and sellers.
Mercari is one of those leading online marketplace that facilitates buying and selling items. And it’s not a stretch to say that you can buy almost anything your heart desires on the site/app as well as sell a wide variety of stuff on it.
Mercari has been a popular marketplace for both side hustlers and serious entrepreneurs alike for a lot of reasons.
First of all, not all of your users may be techy or quite familiar with the platform so you need to be user-friendly and easy to setup.
That’s exactly what Mercari is, it’s got a simple user-interface and that a potential seller may set up their shop quick and easy (Mercari will receive 10% sales fee though).
Mercari is also quite popular for buyers with their app downloaded 40 million times and that they now have hundreds of thousands of users making transactions using the platform.
It requires no meetups and is legit and safe. It is not scam-free though but that can only happen because of factors unrelated to the site so it’s up for the buyer or seller to be extra careful.
Most of all, Mercari makes it easy for people to make money using their platform or for consumers to buy unique things online.
In the chart below you will get a bird’s eye view of all the apps and their current user rating on the Google Play Store:
As you can see, Mercari marketplace app is not the only option. Many people look for alternatives, so let’s discuss a few similar marketplaces and apps that you can choose from (either as a seller or buyer).
The list below is in no particular order.
1) Letgo
Do you have a lot of useful clutter in your house but you just don’t have the time to get rid of them. We know, some of that clutter has sentimental value, but once you decide to reorganize then Letgo is the app for you.
Letgo is an online marketplace that gives people the chance to earn some bucks out of their secondhand items. It’s quite a popular app, and you can upload and sell anything from old video games to car parts, or electronics.
This also a great place for potential buyers to shop useful things at cheaper prices. The interface is fun and simple and the app is growing at a fast rate.
2) Offerup
If you find yourself often going to or putting up garage sales then the OfferUp app is for you. Within OfferUp you will be able to see anything for sale nearby and in your community. The platform allows people to buy and sell anything from clothes, shoes, and electronics.
So if you don’t want to go far, or transact from someone across the country then go for OfferUp. You will find a safe way to communicate with buyers and sellers through the app, and you’ll get lots and lots of discounts.
There’s nothing like transacting with someone or a community that you trust.
3) Shpock
Shpock stands out because of their out of the box offerings. Shpock is not just your usual “buy and sell” marketplace, it’s more than just that (they are available in the UK market only though).
Shpock is known for the contactless deals. This means delivery would be even more secure because you can shop and collect items without leaving your home or coming in contact with the courier.
They also have what you call the #Shpockhelpers movement. This enables people to upload offers as services in the platform and make these services available to those who need it the most.
So it’s not only a marketplace for goods but also services such as grocery deliveries, picking up of medication, or online tutorials.
4) Poshmark
If you’re looking for the best online marketplaces for fashion items (clothes, accessories, makeup etc) then Poshmark is for you. It’s the ultimate marketplace for fashionistas who are looking to buy or sell their preloved items.
You need not worry about quality as Poshmark ensures that you’ll get the best bang out of your buck. Poshmark is a community that is made up of millions of what they call seller stylists.
These sellers don’t only sell personal style but at the same time helps in curating looks for shoppers. It’s safe to use, and they make earning money easier with style.
5) EBay
Who hasn’t heard about eBay? Invented way back 1995, this marketplace has grown substantially and is now one of the world’s leading online buying and selling platform. You can literally buy anything that you need on eBay.
eBay won the latest Sellers Choice Award and also bagged the Most Profitability and Most Recommended Marketplace awards.
As a shopper, you’d go to eBay because of the range of items that you can buy from the platform. Plus, you are given the chance to choose from a variety of sellers and to look closely at the product.
For sellers, eBay is the go-to platform because of the freedom it gives to sell both brand new and secondhand items. They may charge higher fees on transactions but it is well worth it.
6) Depop
Depop is another fashion online marketplace. Depop boasts a platform for buying and selling of unique fashion items. Designer, preloved, streetwear, vintage, or sneakers they got you covered.
Instead of fashion stylists or curators, they give you access to their sellers who are either well-known or already a big brand in the industry or up and comers.
This is how Depop ensures that they consistently offer brand new and unique clothing styles to their online community which spans across the globe.
People love how easy it is to buy or sell stuff on the platform. It’s a user-friendly business model, straightforward, and fun.
7) Carousell
Carousel is another “buy and sell” platform that allows people to have access to preloved items. And we’re talking about anything you may be looking for. From books, furniture, cars, bikes, or antiques, Carousell is the place to be.
They don’t really have their own spin on how online marketplaces are run but they boast an easy to understand and do business model. They also promise no listing fees, extra charges, or commissions.
Their user-friendly interface would help in finding what you need fast and easy. It’s a platform that is both fluid and easy for sellers and buyers.
They currently operate in these countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Canada.
8) Vinted
Vinted is currently the world’s leading online marketplace for preloved fashion. Started way back in 2008, it has now grown to 25 million members. Listing your stuff on their platform is free, you sell, you ship, and that’s it!
Vinted currently operates in these countries: the U.S.A, U.K., the Czech Republic, Spain, Austria, Lithuania, Poland, and with its largest markets in France and Germany.
Vinted stands out because they won’t take any cut from the items members sell. If you want a tried and tested platform to earn some money out of your clutter then Vinted is for you.
9) Tradesy
If you’re hunting designer clothes, bags, and accessories at a discount then Tradesy is for you. Tradesy takes pride to be the go-to online marketplace for women when it comes to designer items.
Tradesy lets you shop designer brands from Zara to Louis Vuitton at crazy discounts. Sell straight out of your closet quickly and easily.
They will also send you a free shipping kit just so you can ship your items with no additional hassle.
Tradesy also takes pride in making sure the items that are on their platform are 100% authentic.
10) OpenBazaar
OpenBazaar mixes it up a little bit. Not only you can shop and sell items on their platform freely with no fees and restrictions you can also earn through cryptocurrency.
OpenBazaar takes pride in the fact that they support little or unknown markets. Shop from all over the world and support small businesses, from countries like Slovakia, Thailand, and India.
From music, games, videos, clothes, or jewelry, they have it all. You may even find some really hard to find and rare items on their listings. No platform fees and low prices. Go check out OpenBazaar, you may find great deals like hidden gems.
11) Craigslist
Like eBay, nobody who can browse the internet does not know about Craigslist. Craigslist has been around for a very long time now and for the benefit of those who are not familiar with the platform, think of it like the classified Ads section on your newspaper but online.
You can find anything on Craigslist as people can freely post anything online, products, services, or job postings. It’s more than just a “buy and sell” website, it’s more like a platform for any business transaction.
Be wary though as the platform can be an avenue for scammers.
12) Etsy
Etsy looks to be a very modest online marketplace. They take pride in supporting independent sellers, so you most likely won’t find any designer stuff or huge brands in the platform.
Etsy is all about vintage items, handmade decors, and rare but beautiful items from candles to cake decoration. They also support, clothing, shoes, toys, crafts, and supplies among others on their platform.
If you’re looking for things that you need daily but made with extra care and passion then this is the place to be shopping from. It’s for the budding entrepreneur, small businesses, and side hustlers. Go check it out, you might find a valuable item or two.
13) Particl Marketplace
Particl Marketplace is not your usual online marketplace. It may hold the key to more advanced online buying and selling and can be its future, but for now, we don’t think that it’s for everyone. It’s a bit technical and not that easy to understand so there should be a learning curve.
In essence, Particl Marketplace allows person-to-person e-commerce. It then uses peer to peer technology and operates without any middleman or central authority and in turn, it is exclusively owned and also operated by the network users.
The platform claims to be the alternative to centralized solutions, and that everyone can partake in the global economy with the lowest cost possible.
14) ThredUp
ThredUp claims to be the easiest, fastest, and best solution to reselling all the preloved clothes in the world. From women’s wear to maternity clothes, to accessories they have it all. They call the reselling process Upcycling and that they aim to upcycle millions of clothes in the world.
Perhaps their crazy discounts on items might convince you to choose their platform. They offer up to 90% off! It’s easy to start selling, just order a cleanout kit or a free shipping label from the app.
Fill the bag, let ThredUp inspect your stuff then voila, you just need to wait for your earnings. For upstarts or side hustlers, this one is for you.
15) The Real Real
The Real Real is in essence an online consignment store where you can put up your high-end items for sale at a reasonable price. If you’re looking for authentic designer items then this is where you shop.
You’ll get good discounts on designer goods, men’s, and women’s apparel, and transaction should be fast and easy.
The platform though is notorious for their high commission cut on sold items, this can range from 30% to 50%, plus they may put it up for sale too furthering your cut on your product.
16) StockX
StockX is the ultimate paradise for sneakerheads. It is not only the fastest but the safest way to buy or sell authentic shoes and sneakers from brands like Nike, Adidas, or the Jordan brand. Not only that, but they also buy or sell streetwear, watches, handbags, and other collectible items.
They have a team of trusted authenticators that will make sure that everything put up are the real deal. StockX has been featured by trusted publications like the New York Times, Forbes, or WSJ so you can be sure of their legitimacy.
If you’re scouting for luxury items then try StockX for a change.
17) Facebook Marketplace
FM has recently rolled out a few more features that add to the excellent ones they already have. FB programmers leveraged the power of machine learning to beef up the “recommended” list you see while shopping.
The algorithms use much data, including your interests and browsing history. Plus, it’s simpler than ever for sellers and buyers to negotiate because FM offers multiple tools to speed up communication.
Besides video calls to demonstrate products, users can take advantage of AR (augmented reality) tech on the site, which lets you visualize tangible products as if they were already in your home before you buy them.
The seller profiles are extensive and come with verified ratings and reviews. For 2024, FM has expanded all the product categories and filtering software. That makes it simple to discover new items and navigate throughout the marketplace.
18) NextDoor
As of mid-2024, the popular Nextdoor marketplace has introduced many user-friendly features that make the site relatively easy to use.
For effortless communication between buyers and sellers, there’s real-time chat. Transactions are safe and fast on Nextdoor.
For shoppers who want to focus on a specific service or product, the updated search filters offer results based on category, condition, price levels, and geographic location.
Additionally, the new interface is based on user preferences, which makes for satisfying browsing overall. There’s better security, too, with encrypted payment and solid identity verification.
19) Worthy
The news about Worthy is that the online store has boosted the user experience with features like an AI-based recommendation function that delivers product suggestions tailored to your likes, browsing history, and past purchases.
The updated try-on technology works well for accessories and clothing. You don’t have to worry about getting a poor fit.
The addition of real-time chat is a significant change that has put Worthy among the top customer service providers in the niche. Finally, the upgraded security features offer more robust protection of user data, a nice touch in a year when some of the nation’s top online sellers have been hacked.
20) Grailed
Grailed is the leading online marketplace for consumers who want to buy and sell luxury menswear. They have a few fresh features, like a more accurate search algorithm, a brand-new user interface for quicker browsing, faster loading times, and hassle-free navigation across the platform.
You get personalized product recommendations based on what you’ve purchased and what you prefer. Grailed has a revamped authentication method for all clothing items listed for sale. That way, buyers know they’re getting the real thing and not a fake.
21) Localyft
Localyft now offers support for multiple currencies to cater to a wide variety of buyers worldwide. The new fraud-detection algorithms minimize the risk of losing data or funds to scammers and hackers. All communication channels have been beefed up for simpler interaction.
Localyft’s newest seller dashboard has tons of analytics, so indie or more prominent merchants can track profits and performance.
All recommendations now come in via the AI-enabled filter. Hence, shoppers get personalized suggestions that work more often than not. Overall, the user experience on Localyft nowadays is better than ever.
Is Mercari Better Than eBay?
Users tend to find it easier to sell on Mercari compared to eBay, thanks to a streamlined interface. You can list new items in seconds using your phone, tablet, laptop, or computer. Mercari also offers a variety of shipping options, including a simple weight-based shipping rate.
Selling on eBay involves more steps throughout the entire process. The process of listing items, shipping, and running sales requires more of your time. If you want to list an item quickly to start decluttering your life, Mercari is the clear winner.
Mercari also stands out for its flat fee of 10%. You list items for free and Mercari receives 10% of every sale. eBay provides 50 free listings before charging $0.35 per listing, along with a 10% to 12% fee.
The big disadvantages of Mercari compared to eBay though is the user base. eBay has many more buyers and is more well-known compared to Mercari.
Can I Get Scammed on Mercari?
Mercari is a leading online marketplace, offering a legit place to buy and sell almost anything. There are no scams associated with Mercari. The site also has many safeguards to protect buyers.
Sellers do not receive access to buyer payment details, as transactions are handled through Mercari. The company also holds funds until the buyer receives and accepts their purchase.
While Mercari offers a secure solution for shopping or selling online, scammers can target any online marketplace.
Buyers and sellers should take the same precautions that they take when using eBay, Poshmark, or any other online platform.
If you believe that you are a victim of a scam, do not hesitate to report the issue. Mercari has a customer service department that can help resolve complaints.
Who Pays for Shipping on Mercari?
Mercari allows sellers to decide how they want to deal with shipping. Sellers may choose to offer free shipping to customers, which means that the seller pays for the shipping. They can also choose to have the buyer pay shipping.
After deciding who pays for shipping, sellers can choose to calculate the shipping costs themselves or use a simple weight-based rate.
Which Is Better for Selling – Poshmark or Mercari?
Mercari provides several advantages over Poshmark, starting with lower fees. Both sites allow you to list items for free, but Poshmark charges sellers more for each transaction.
Poshmark charges 20% for items that cost more than $15. If the item is priced at $15 or less, Poshmark charges $2.95, which is 19.66% of $15.
If you sell an item for $10, you still pay Poshmark $2.95, which is 29.5% of the sale. Mercari charges a flat 10% fee, no matter the price of the item.
Mercari also offers access to a larger customer base. Poshmark has around 40 million users. The Mercari app has been downloaded over 100 million times. With a larger audience, you should find it easier to sell items on Mercari.
Users who want to list items quickly may also prefer Mercari. Listing items on Poshmark requires you to fill out a long list of fields, including category, size, original price, listing price, brand, color, tags, and various other details. Mercari has a limited number of fields for you to fill out, letting you list items fast.
Which Is Better Letgo or Mercari?
Letgo is designed for selling items in your local area, limiting your exposure to a wider audience that may be interested in your items.
It also requires sellers to meet buyers in person to complete the transaction. As with Craigslist, you face the potential risks that come with meeting a stranger to sell an item.
Mercari offers a safer option, as the transactions are completed online. Sellers ship items directly to buyers instead of meeting in a local area. Sellers can also reach a much wider audience, as Letgo only has about 13.2 million monthly active users.
Yeah, you can’t sell anything on Mercari. You’ll get kicked for any type of ingestible including Monistat.
I wouldn’t be such a big hurry to sell anything on Mercari. They are notorious for finding ways or lying about keeping your money once you’ve sold an item. They have numerous complaints on the RIP Off Report, the FTC, etc. That is just a few of them. To the author of this article, you may want to rethink giving this crooked company such high marks
I don’t give any high-marks or endorse Mercari. I just provide several other alternative platforms like Mercari that people can use.
Thanks
Harris
Mercari is the best but just like any buyers buying things there’s always something to think about BUYERS BEWARE. People scam on any platform. I have plenty of buyers that brought my games and photocards and said there was marks or bends on them. Just to know people will buy the exact things they need to switch so they have a better version of things. It does happen but Mercari is best for selling things quickly and peacefully. All other platforms are just a hassle to takes too much of your time. I may get rip off here and there but I sold a lot of Mercari than any other platform
I like Mercari and e bay, I tried offer up, and didn’t get nothing but scamming, I don’t want to meet up, I want to ship. I wish I could find some other sites to sell on.
Bought a. Pair of clogs. $65 they were odd sizes one was smaller. Would never buy anything from Mercari again.complained never went anywhere.
I was on Mercari for a minute and I had nothing but problems from the site. Bought 2 phones that were not unblocked and probably ripped off from the companies who issued them; people saying they did not get the goods when the shipping said otherwise, I did not get my items back; Mercari has a way of changing your Bank Account Information, so you have to list multiple cards, which bothered me. I told them they have a serious issue with wanting to get all your credit card numbers and bank accounts, they even blocked me from using my Paypal account and card!; the Final Reason Why I Left was because I changed my password and my store disappeared, this happened 2 times and it was very Frustration, especially when I had over $500 and saw my store, items and money gone and a new store with nothing in it’s place! Then, to add insult to injury, they locked me out my store for over a week, putting me through the third degree, when they’re the ones at fault because of their system – if you change your password you’re supposed to be entered back on the platform in your original standing. This did not happen. They wanted my phone number, saying a phone number is associated with the account when I’ve been on there for over a year and never gave a phone number or needed on to interact with them. The whole ordeal left me so frustrated I went back to Ebay, Offer up – now, combined with Let Go, Etsy and a bunch of others. I’m very happy I got off their platform. I did not trust them. Some of these foreign companies don’t really like or respect the people on their platform. They get money from you selling on it, and they’re lots of platforms out there. People should be treated with respect. Period.
I wouldn’t praise Mercari! They have just as many scams then anyone else does. Sometimes they won’t pay you for something you sold and will not give you a reason as to why behind the fact.. Just because you see something on there for sell and you try and sell the same thing they will kick you off because its “against the rules” even though it’s on there 50 million times from other sellers. They won’t put you on probation or let me correct your mistakes they will literally ban you for life.
Mercari is the biggest rip off, their take is 13% and a bunch of extra fees. They keep on adding fees every year. My account was closed because a buyer asked if I had an ebay store and I replied yes. They kept my funds and won’t allow you to contact them as they revoked my “Privileges “. They basically just stole hundreds of dollars from my now closed account.
SOMEONE PLEASE CREATE A BETTER SELLING SITE!!! Very limited options to such a huge market potential!