Is Mercari legit? Seller’s guide + 8 scams to steer clear of in 2025

Mercari is a legit reselling platform, with over 50 million U.S. downloads and more than 20 million monthly active users globally. It’s a real resale marketplace with serious reach, not some fly-by-night app pretending to be secure.

But legitimacy doesn’t mean you’re invincible. Sellers still run into fake shipping labels, return scams, and payment tricks that leave them empty-handed. Meanwhile, seller protection and customer support could be improved.

This guide breaks it all down: how Mercari scams happen, where seller protections fall short, what real Mercari users and reviews are saying, and how platforms like eBay and Poshmark stack up.

Is Mercari legit? Here’s what sellers need to know

Mercari isn’t a new player; it launched in Japan back in 2013 and expanded into the U.S. in 2014. Over the past decade, it’s grown by leaps and bounds into one of the largest resale platforms in America, competing with big names like eBay, Poshmark, and Depop. Mercari also maintains high app store ratings (4.8 on iOS, 4.6 on Android).

But is Mercari legit for sellers in 2025? Yes, but you need to understand the rules of the game — listing is easy, and payouts are real. But, as with everything online, you’ll need to be wary of scams. 

Some sellers walk away with extra income. Others walk away frustrated, out of cash or inventory. So, it’s a legit app and it’s safe to sell on Mercari. But you’ll need a strategy.

Is Mercari safe for sellers?

Mercari is safe, but before listing anything serious, you’ll need to understand that the current system is slightly biased towards buyers and buyer satisfaction. 

• Funds aren’t released until the buyer rates you: You won’t get paid until the buyer confirms receipt, or three full days pass. Mercari’s payment policy sounds fair in theory, but it lets buyers delay payouts without cause. If they stall or never rate you, you’re stuck waiting and watching.
  
  
• Return disputes are often one-sided: A buyer can claim the item was “not as described” and force a return, even if you followed every rule. Scams are real, and sellers report that even with full documentation, they’ve lost cases, and refunds were pulled anyway.
  
  
• There’s no live support: When something breaks, you won’t get a human. You’ll get auto-replies, links to Help Center pages, and ticket numbers. The support system is email only, response times vary, and appeals are rarely reopened.
  
  
• Shipping coverage helps, but not enough: Mercari recommends using its prepaid labels, and doing so gives you basic tracking and delivery confirmation. But that doesn’t stop refund abuse, reshipping scams, or buyers claiming “wrong item” once it’s delivered.
  
  
• Yes, Mercari is legit, but the risk sits with the seller: With over 10 million installs and huge mobile traffic, it’s a powerful resale channel. But the idea is to keep buyers happy, and not necessarily (always) be in the sellers’ corner when bad things happen. 

Pros and cons of selling on Mercari

The idea behind Mercari is to get average users listing quickly. That simplicity makes it easy to start ... but also easy to get burned. 

So, who thrives here? Casual resellers flipping everyday items. 

Who doesn’t? Sellers who need protection, consistency, or high-touch support.

Here’s how Mercari’s pros and cons shake out:

What seller protections does Mercari offer?

Mercari does offer seller protection, but you need to play by its exact rules. This isn’t Amazon with a massive support team or eBay with formal dispute tiers. It’s DIY defense, backed by a few automated systems and a lot of personal recordkeeping.

What can sellers count on?

• You get paid after the buyer rates the item: Once a sale is confirmed, the buyer has 3 days to rate you, after which Mercari releases the funds. If the buyer opens a case instead, payment is paused until Mercari makes a call based on the documentation provided.
  
  
• Shipping with Mercari labels unlocks tracking support: If you use in-app shipping, tracking info gets attached automatically, and you’re protected if the item is lost or delayed. Without that, you lose shipping coverage and may be denied reimbursement.
  
  
• Basic protection needs strong documentation: Mercari’s system likes whoever has more evidence. If a buyer says an item arrived damaged or fake, your best shot at keeping the payout is clear photos, detailed descriptions, and proof of shipment.
  
  
• There’s no special coverage for luxury goods: Unlike platforms that authenticate high-value sales, Mercari leaves that to you. That means if a buyer falsely claims your $600 designer bag is a knockoff, you’re stuck proving otherwise, with no internal review process for authenticity. (Unless you pay for Mercari’s authentication service ahead of time.)

8 common Mercari scams (targeting sellers)

Mercari isn’t a scam, but scammers do use it. Most scammers target newer sellers who aren’t familiar with the rules, policies, or red flags. From fake labels to off-platform messages, here’s how these scams usually work, and how to protect yourself.

1. Fake shipping labels

This is one of the oldest (and most effective) Mercari scams out there, and it preys on your trust and desire to get orders out fast.

Here’s how it works: The buyer sends you a “prepaid label” via message or email, claiming it’ll save time or offer faster delivery. But if you use it, Mercari has zero visibility, and zero obligation to protect you. Mercari can’t verify delivery, track the package, or prove fraud.

Why this scam is dangerous: The scammer might redirect the package mid-transit to another address. Then they claim they never received it and demand a refund. You’ve just lost your product, and your payout.

How to avoid this scam

• Only ship using Mercari’s in-app prepaid labels – every time.
  
  
• Decline any offer to “speed things up” with off-app labels or emails.
  
  
• Report any user who pushes alternate shipping. Mercari’s help center lists this as high-risk behavior.

What you’re risking: If you go off-label, you void Mercari’s protections, including tracking disputes, refund arbitration, and payout guarantees. Even clear proof won’t matter.

2. Waterfall offers

This one's sneaky because it starts like a normal sale, until the buyer keeps moving the goalposts. You'll get a friendly DM asking if the item’s still available. They make an offer. Then another. Next, they “accidentally” overpay. Then they want a refund. And suddenly, you’re juggling fake receipts and angry messages, with no sale and no money.

Here’s how the Mercari scam plays out

• The flattery-to-fraud pipeline: The scammer acts interested, polite, maybe even urgent. They praise the product and offer to buy fast, sometimes for more than your asking price.
  
  
• “Oops, I paid too much” bait: They claim they “accidentally” sent too much, and ask you to refund the difference via Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle.
  
  
• The no-proof refund: If you send them money before the original payment clears (or even existed), you’re out what you sent, and they disappear.

Why does it work?

Mercari’s in-app communication makes it easy to bait new sellers. These scammers often come off like real buyers, so you feel pressured to be responsive. Once you're off-platform, though, Mercari can't help you.

Protect yourself

Stay inside Mercari’s official offer and shipping system at all times. Don’t issue refunds outside the app, and never send money to a buyer — real buyers don’t ask for that. As HackerNoon’s breakdown confirms, these scams are designed to exploit sellers who trust too fast and act too fast.

3. Off-platform payment traps

This is the classic “let’s take this to PayPal” move, and it almost always ends with you losing both the item and the payment. These scammers want you off Mercari’s radar so they can rewrite the rules.

How does this scam usually work?

• “I’ll pay you direct” bait: A buyer messages you asking to pay via PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App “to save time” or “avoid fees.”
  
  
• Fake confirmations: They'll send you screenshots of fake payment emails, or claim your money is “pending” until you ship.
  
  
• Gone with the goods: You ship, expecting payment to land, but it never does. You’re ghosted, and Mercari can’t help because the deal happened outside their ecosystem.

Why it’s dangerous

You’re completely unprotected. Mercari’s protections only apply to in-app transactions. Once you step off the platform, you’re on your own. 

Avoid it completely

You should never accept off-app payments. These setups are one-sided, unverifiable, and designed to exploit sellers unfamiliar with how Mercari’s safe system works. 

4. Return abuse

Sometimes the scammer does pay through Mercari, and still burns you. Return abusers buy your item, file a complaint, and send back something broken, swapped, or not even remotely close to what you shipped.

How do return scammers operate?

• Buy and swap: They order your item, wait for delivery, then claim it’s damaged, fake, or “not as described.”
• Send back junk: You approve the return (or Mercari steps in), and what you get back is a used, broken, or an entirely different product.
  
  
• You’re now empty-handed: Mercari releases their refund, and you’re stuck with the loss.

Why does it happen?

Mercari tries to balance buyer and seller protection, but it’s notorious for preferring the buyer in disputes, especially when there’s insufficient photo documentation. Sellers who don’t document everything are easy targets.

How to protect yourself

Photograph your items before shipping from every angle, including serial numbers, condition markers, and packaging. Use Mercari’s shipping system with tracking because it gives you the best chance of support if a case is opened.

5. Chargeback fraud

This scam bypasses Mercari entirely, but still hits your wallet. Buyers wait until a sale is marked complete, then file a chargeback through their bank or credit card, claiming they never authorized the transaction.

How do chargeback scammers hit you?

• They complete the order normally: They accept delivery, rate the transaction, and the funds are released to you.
  
  
• Then they file with their bank: A week or two later, they report the charge as unauthorized or fraudulent to their credit card company.
  
  
• Mercari claws back the funds: Even though everything looked legit, you lose the sale and the item.

Why does this work?

Chargebacks are processed by third parties (banks or credit card companies), not Mercari. Even if you followed all platform rules, you might not win unless you have might-as-well-win-a-trial proof. Scammers use this tactic because they know platform support is limited once the payment clears.

Defensive moves

• Keep shipping receipts, tracking, and full item photos.
  
  
• Only use Mercari-provided shipping, and remember Mercari doesn't take down sold listings, so the original details will remain available for reference.
  
  
• If hit, appeal with full evidence and file your own dispute with Mercari.

6. Spoofed buyer accounts

These scammers are in deep cover, pretending to be someone else entirely. Spoofed accounts are made to look like legit buyers with high ratings or verified profiles, but behind the scenes, it’s all fake.

What does this scam usually look like?

• Too-good-to-be-true buyers: Their account seems perfect. They’ve got lots of reviews, followers, and maybe even listings of their own.
  
  
• Urgency games: They want to buy now, pay extra, skip the queue — whatever it takes to make you move fast.
  
  
• Off-app detour: Then comes the red flag. They ask to text, email, or use another payment app. Sometimes, they send shady Google Forms or fake verification requests.

Why does it work?

These fake accounts are built to look trustworthy, with stolen photos, copied bios, and spoofed usernames. New sellers often fall for them because Mercari’s profile system isn’t airtight. 

How to stay safe

• Only respond inside Mercari’s chat system
  
  
• Don’t click links from buyers or share contact details
  
  
• Look for mismatched info, like usernames that don’t match review history
  
  
• Report sketchy accounts immediately so Mercari can investigate

7. “Pay after delivery” tricks

This one sounds casual, even harmless, but it’s a direct play to get your product for free. Buyers claim they want to see the item first, promising to pay afterward … but (surprise, surprise!) they ghost, dispute, or file a bogus claim as soon as they get it.

How is the scam pitched?

• “I’ll pay once I confirm it’s real.” The buyer acts cautious, saying they want to inspect the item before sending money.
  
  
• Requests outside the system: They’ll try to move the convo to text, email, or another platform to sidestep Mercari’s process.
  
  
• You’re left unpaid and unprotected: Once they receive the item, they either ghost you or file a fake claim against you.

Why is this extra shady?

Mercari never uses a “pay after delivery” model. All legitimate payments are held in escrow until the transaction is confirmed. Anyone asking to delay payment is either a scammer or doesn’t understand how Mercari’s legit system works. 

Your anti-scam playbook

• Never send an item until Mercari confirms payment is in escrow
  
  
• Stick to in-app shipping and avoid all “test” or “inspection” requests
  
  
• Block and report any user asking for post-delivery payment or off-platform conversations

8. Fake customer support accounts

These scammers pretend to be Mercari support, but they’re not even close. They’ll message you after a listing goes up, or a sale happens, often claiming there’s been a “problem with your account” or “security issue” that needs immediate action.

How this Mercari scam works

• The fake alert message: A scammer DMs you saying your account is restricted, flagged, or under review. They copy Mercari’s logo and language to make it look legit. Here’s a real example where the user was asked to confirm their bank card details.
  
  
• The link trap: They could send a shady link to “verify your account” or “submit a support ticket,” often hosted on fake Mercari domains or Google Forms.
  
  
• Info theft or login lockout: Once you give them any of your info (especially your email, login, or password), they hijack your account or phish for payment access.

Why is this dangerous?

The messages look real, especially to new sellers. But Mercari never contacts users through listing comments or buyer messages. If you fall for it, you risk full account loss, listing hijack, or worse.

How to avoid this scam

• Never click on links sent through comments or buyer messages
  
  
• Legitimate Mercari support only contacts you via the in-app Help Center or verified support email
  
  
• Report any message claiming to be “Mercari Tech Support” that asks for login info, Google Form submissions, or external links

What you’re risking

Account access, private data, payment credentials, and your seller reputation. Once someone controls your account, they can list fake items, scam buyers, or get you banned entirely. Don’t give them that shot.

What real sellers are saying about Mercari

Mercari has a 1.3-star rating across 2,400+ reviews on TrustIndex and spoiler, it’s not because people love the app. The complaints aren’t about one-off flukes. It’s the same patterns over and over again. Missing money, wiped records, and zero accountability.

Brace yourself, here’s what sellers are dealing with

🚩 Mercari deletes the whole transaction history:

“I wake up to find 3 emails from Mercari saying the dispute has been resolved and case closed — you don’t get your money, buyer was reimbursed … and they deleted the entire transaction from my site!”
— Casey R., Verified May 2025

🚩 They keep your money after delivery:

“I sold multiple pieces of luggage … Mercari falsely reported the weights and then refused to release my earnings. Customer service told me to ‘go ahead’ and report them to the BBB.”
— Hustle M., Verified May 2025

🚩 They claim the insurance, and you get nothing:

“Mercari filed the claim for themselves. They KEPT ALL THE MONEY. I lost my merchandise and [never] received a dime from the insurance.”
— Gloria L., April 2025

🚩 You’re on your own when things break:

I ordered a perfume … the juice inside had been tampered with. Mercari refused to generate a return label. Customer service just kept asking for photos. You can’t smell photos.
— Lia N., March 2025

🚩 Good luck getting customer service on the line:

“I contacted Mercari customer service on March 15th requesting a cancellation. As of March 21st, I haven’t heard from them.”
— Daniel C., March 2025

🚩 Your reviews can be censored for no reason:

I left feedback, and it’s not showing on the seller profile. My response was deleted. Mercari said it was ‘prohibited conduct.’
— Karl H., Feb 2025

But not everyone’s furious

Here are two 5-star reviews from Trustpilot, where Mercari U.S. also has an overall rating of 1.3. 

🟢 When it works, it works: 

“I've had a wonderful time buying and selling on Mercari! It's been better than using Depop and other services at times.”
— Zoe M., Trustpilot

🟢 Great customer service

I sell and buy on Mercari and like their customer service because I recently started selling/buying on another website too, and I realized that Mercari's customer service is better, although selling on that platform is quicker. Unfortunately, if you buy trash or fake on that one, their customer service won't take it seriously, will be slow, whereas Mercari will support you and straight away. So now I am more confident in buying from Mercari. Knowing that if you are scammed, they will let you return it, gives you peace of mind. Thank you, Mercari.

— Nika. O, Trustpilot

So, if your transaction goes according to script, Mercari can deliver a decent experience. But sellers who rely on it for consistent income or big-ticket items? The risks add up fast.

How Mercari compares to eBay, Poshmark, and Depop

Here’s how Mercari stacks up against the resale world’s biggest players. 

Check out more info on all of these platforms on our blog: Depop vs. Poshmark. 

What to do if you get scammed on Mercari

Scams happen even to seasoned resellers. But getting scammed doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Here’s how to respond, protect yourself, and (hopefully) get your money back.

Start with these essentials

1. Report the problem immediately: Go to the transaction page, hit “Contact Us,” and submit a detailed claim. Attach screenshots, tracking numbers, and anything else that proves your side. There’s no such thing as too much evidence.
   
   
2. Document everything: Mercari has a track record of deleting order history and blocking buyer-seller contact. Save emails, chat threads, and shipping receipts outside the app.
   
   
3. Escalate if they ghost you: If Mercari closes the case unfairly or doesn’t respond, file complaints with the BBB, CFPB, or dispute the charge through your bank or PayPal.
   
   
4. Don’t assume you're covered: Mercari’s refund policy doesn’t protect late shipments, non-Mercari labels, or buyers who ghost after receiving an item. Know the rules ahead of time.
   
   
5. Be smart before the next sale: Ship on time, use their labels, block suspicious accounts, and always screenshot everything before and after shipping.

Final verdict

So, is Mercari legit or not? Yes, in the sense that it’s a real, active resale platform with millions of users.

But “legit” doesn’t always mean “low risk.” For many sellers, especially those running a serious operation, Mercari’s weak protections and inconsistent support make it harder to trust than alternatives.

• Mercari is best for sellers who want quick flips under $50, enjoy a mobile-friendly listing process, and aren’t relying on the platform for high-value or luxury sales.
  
  
• Mercari is worst for sellers who need strong dispute resolution, sell premium or fragile items, or depend on fast, reliable customer support when issues come up.
  
  
• You can still make it work: If you ship fast, document everything, and stay in-platform for all payments and messages, Mercari can be a profitable channel, just not one you should use without a bit of extra help.
  
  
• Smart sellers diversify: Use Mercari as a tool in your business toolkit, not the foundation. Pair it with platforms that offer stronger seller protections, or tools like Nifty that help you automate listings, protect your inventory, and make your sales safer. 

Nifty + Mercari: When Mercari feels risky, Nifty keeps it smart

Tired of dealing with the risks embedded in Mercari? Nifty is the AI command hub that helps you stay in control, and get more done with less effort.

• AI listing moves: Snap a pic and let Nifty’s AI build a boss-level listing, with SEO-optimized titles and descriptions, trending hashtags, and every dropdown already filled out for you.
  
• Crosslist now: With a couple of clicks, post your items across Poshmark, eBay, Mercari, Depop, Etsy, and more. No double-work, no double listings.
• Automatic delisting? Handled: When your item sells on one site, Nifty pulls it from the other marketplaces.
• Bulk tools = no busywork: Share and relist daily, run price drops, and schedule drafts to go-live, all in the background. Your inventory stays fresh, even when you’re offline. 
• Analytics and profits are real: Track marketplace fees, profits, and sales in one clean dashboard. Yes, even for Mercari.

Nifty pays for itself. So … what are you waiting for? Get your 7-day free trial started today, and see how Nifty can make your reselling experience so much easier.

Want to see it in action? Watch this seller's review on YouTube.

FAQs

1. Is Mercari the best platform for resellers?

Mercari is not the #1 marketplace for safety, but resellers can still be very successful on the platform. Success requires staying vigilant about potential issues and using protective measures. Many sellers minimize risks with automated tools like Nifty to streamline operations and reduce manual oversight needs.

2. Can I get my money back if I’m scammed on Mercari?

Yes, you can potentially recover your money if scammed on Mercari, but you'll need to act quickly. The process requires jumping through several hoops and following Mercari's dispute procedures promptly. However, if the return window closes or Mercari becomes unresponsive (ghosting does happen to some users), recovery becomes much more difficult or even impossible.

3. What’s the safest way to crosslist from Mercari?

The safest way to crosslist from Mercari is with reselling tools rather than manually. Use a reselling solution like Nifty to sync inventory, bulk edit, and handle auto-delisting and relisting across different marketplaces. Plus, Nifty lets you track your Mercari listings without risking overselling.

4. Why do people say Mercari has “hidden” fees?

Mercari has “hidden” fees because many charges don't appear until after transactions are completed. These “hidden” fees often include after-the-fact shipping overcharges or payment holds. Unfortunately, it’s not transparent, and that’s a big issue for full-time resellers who are hoping Mercari updates its policies sooner rather than later. 

5. Is it worth using Mercari at all?

Yes, Mercari can definitely be worth using for resellers, especially when paired with reselling tools like Nifty. Nifty will manage your listings, protect your time, and help you stay profitable. Without automation and support from tools like Nifty, expect a steep learning curve and significant time spent on understanding the platform's quirks and challenges.