It seems like almost everyone these days is looking to start selling items online. After all, it’s a great way to make some extra cash, and who doesn’t love the convenience of being able to shop from home? If you’re one of those people who have been thinking about starting to sell online but haven’t quite taken the plunge yet, we’ve got good news for you: Selling on Mercari is easier than you might think!
In this article, we’ll walk you through the basics of how to get started selling on Mercari. So if you’re a total beginner or looking for a refresher course, keep reading for everything you need to know.
What is Mercari?
Mercari is an online marketplace that allows people to buy and sell new or used items. It’s sort of like a cross between eBay and Craigslist, and it’s becoming increasingly popular as a way to declutter your home or make some extra cash.
With Mercari, there are no listing fees, and you can sell just about anything (with a few exceptions, which we’ll get into later). Mercari does charge 10% on each sale and then payment processing fees of 2.9% plus $0.30 per sale, but that’s still lower than the fees charged by other online marketplaces.
Getting Started
Now that you know a little bit more about what Mercari is, let’s talk about how to get started selling on the platform.
1. Create an account
The first step is to create a Mercari account. You can do this by going to the Mercari website and clicking on the “Sign Up” button in the top right-hand corner. From there, you’ll be prompted to enter the following details:
- Name: When you create your account, you’ll have the option of using your real name or a nickname. If you choose to use a nickname, keep in mind that buyers will see this when they’re looking at your listings, so pick something that’s easy to remember and represents what you’ll be selling.
- Address: You’ll need to enter a valid US mailing address in order to create an account. This is where Mercari will send your payment if you make a sale.
- Date of birth: You must be at least 18 years old to sell on Mercari.
- Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number: Mercari will use this information to verify your identity and set up direct deposit for your payments.
- Some form of government-issued identification: Mercari may ask to see a copy of your driver’s license or passport for verification purposes.
2. Find a product you want to sell
Now that you have a Mercari account, it’s time to start thinking about what you want to sell. Mercari is a great platform for selling just about anything, but there are a few exceptions. You cannot sell the following items on Mercari:
- Illegal drugs or weapons: Since Mercari is an international marketplace, it’s important to abide by the laws of every country in which it operates. That means no selling illegal drugs or weapons of any kind.
- Hazardous materials: Items that are flammable, poisonous, or otherwise pose a safety hazard are not allowed. This includes things like aerosumables (e.g., food and drink), beauty products (e.g., nail polish and perfume), and household cleaners (e.g., bleach and ammonia).
- Alcohol: Mercari does not allow the sale of alcohol for legal reasons.
- Tobacco: Cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and other tobacco products are not allowed.
- Animals: You cannot sell live animals on Mercari. This includes pets, livestock, and wildlife.
- Prescription drugs: You cannot sell prescription drugs on Mercari, even if they are legal in your country.
- Counterfeit items: Items that are counterfeit, knockoffs, or otherwise not genuine are not allowed. This includes items that are fake, replicas, or pirated.
Now that you know what not to sell, it’s time to start thinking about what you can sell! Mercari is a great platform for selling:
- Small electronic items: Smartphones, cameras, laptops, and tablets are all popular items on Mercari.
- Clothing and accessories: You can sell everything from shoes to shirts to handbags on Mercari.
- Home goods: Decorations, small appliances, dishes, and other home goods are all popular items on Mercari.
- Toys and games: If you have kids, you probably have a few items around the house that they no longer use. Mercari is a great place to sell those items!
If you can’t think of anything to sell, here’s what to consider:
- Do you have any items around the house that you no longer use?
- Is there anything you can buy secondhand and resell for a profit?
- Can you make anything to sell? (Mercari is a great platform for selling handmade goods!)
3. Take some pictures
Once you’ve decided what you want to sell, it’s time to take some pictures! Mercari allows you to upload up to 12 pictures per listing, so you’ll want to make sure that you take advantage of that. Here are a few tips for taking great photos:
- Use a clean background: A cluttered background will make your item look small and unappealing. Instead, use a plain white or light-colored background.
- Take close-up pictures: Mercari buyers want to see every detail of the item they’re considering buying. That means you’ll want to take close-up pictures of any features that might be important to them.
- Use good lighting: Poor lighting will make your photos look dark and blurry. Instead, use natural light or a bright lamp to take your pictures.
4. Write a great title and description
Your title should be brief but descriptive, and your description should give buyers all the information they need to know about the item. Here are a few tips for writing great titles and descriptions:
- Use keywords: Buying on Mercari is a lot like shopping on Amazon. That means that buyers will often search for specific items by using keywords. Make sure to include relevant keywords in your title and description so that buyers can find your listing.
- Be honest: It’s important to be honest about the condition of the item you’re selling. Buyers will be disappointed if they buy an item expecting it to be in perfect condition and find out that it’s not.
5. Choose a price
A fair price is important to buyers, but you also want to make sure that you’re making a profit. When setting a price, you’ll want to consider the following:
- The condition of the item: An item that is in good condition will typically sell for more than an item that is in poor condition.
- The demand for the item: If there are a lot of people looking for the item you’re selling, you’ll be able to charge more for it.
- The shipping cost: You’ll need to factor in the cost of shipping when setting your price.
6. List it on Mercari
Once you’ve taken pictures, written a title and description, and chosen a price, it’s time to list your item on Mercari. Creating a listing is easy: just click the “Sell” button at the top of the Mercari homepage and follow the instructions.
7. Ship it when an item sells
When your item sells, you’ll need to ship it to the buyer. Mercari makes it easy to print shipping labels right from your account. You can even schedule a pickup with some shipping carriers so that you don’t have to take your item to the post office.
Here are three shipping options to consider:
- Ship on your own: You can use your own shipping carrier to ship your item. This is usually the cheapest option, but it can be a bit more work. And using this method, you can offer free shipping as well which helps your items sell quite easily.
- Mercari Labels: Mercari offers a discounted shipping label that you can purchase and print right from your account. This is a great option if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of setting up your own shipping.
- Mercari Pickup: With Mercari Pickup, you can schedule a pickup with a shipping carrier right from your bank account. This is the most expensive option, but it’s also the easiest.
8. Get paid!
Once your item has been shipped, you’ll receive your payment from Mercari. You can choose to be paid via PayPal, instant pay, or direct deposit.
And that’s it! You’re now ready to start selling on Mercari.
Happy selling!
Why Sell On Mercari
Mercari is one of the most popular online selling platforms, and for good reason. Here are a few reasons why you should consider selling on Mercari:
- It’s easy to use: Mercari is designed to be user-friendly, so you can start selling right away. While other platforms may require you to jump through hoops to create a listing, Mercari makes it easy.
- You can sell just about anything: Mercari is a great platform for selling everything from clothes to electronics to home goods. If you can think of it, chances are someone is looking to buy it on Mercari.
- You get to set your own price: Mercari doesn’t tell you how much to sell your item for. That means you can set a fair price and make a profit.
- You don’t have to worry about shipping: Mercari takes care of the shipping for you. All you have to do is print a prepaid label and drop off your item at the post office.
- You get paid quickly: Mercari pays you as soon as your item is shipped. There’s no waiting around for weeks to get paid.
Those are just a few of the reasons why Mercari is one of the best-selling platforms around.
FAQs
How do you sell items on Mercari for beginners?
Selling on Mercari is easy and only takes a few minutes to get started. You can sign up and start selling in just a few taps.
To list an item:
1. Download the Mercari app
2. Sign up for an account
3. Take pictures of the items you want to sell
4. Describe your items
5. Choose shipping or local pickup
6. Set your price
7. Wait for buyers to purchase your items
8. Ship your sold items or meet up with local buyers
Is it worth it to sell on Mercari?
Many people find that selling on Mercari is worth it because it’s an easy way to make some extra money. You can sell items you no longer need or use, and you can list items for free. Mercari does charge a 10% payment processing fee on each sale, but many users find this seller fee to be worth it because of the convenience of the platform.
What are some tips for selling on Mercari?
Here are some tips to help you get started selling on Mercari:
1. Start by decluttering your home and gathering up items you no longer need or use. This is a great way to make some extra money while also decluttering your space.
2. Take clear and well-lit pictures of your items. This will help them stand out to potential buyers and make them more likely to purchase your items.
3. Be sure to describe your items accurately and include any relevant information that buyers might want to know. This will help build trust with potential buyers and make them more likely to purchase from you.
4. Choose shipping or local pickup as your delivery method. This will depend on the item you’re selling and your personal preference.
5. Set a fair and competitive listing price for your items. Keep in mind that Mercari charges a 10% fee on each sale, so you’ll need to factor this into your smart pricing.
6. Wait for buyers to purchase your items. You’ll be notified when someone buys one of your items and you can then ship the item or meet up with the potential buyer for local pickup.
How much does it cost to list on Mercari?
Listing items on Mercari is free. There is no charge to list items, and you can list as many items as you want. Mercari does charge a 10% fee on each sale, but this fee is generally considered to be worth it because of the convenience of the platform.
Final Words
Selling on Mercari is a great way to make some extra cash. It’s easy to use and you can sell just about anything. Plus, you get to set your own price and don’t have to worry about shipping. And best of all, you get paid quickly. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for Mercari today!
Be sure to check out our other e-commerce guides.
