You might have heard of Mercari and are wondering if this platform is safe. Perhaps you have had bad experiences with an e-commerce website in the past and now you want to make sure you are safe before you try another one. This is the right attitude, because you just never know what the internet will bring.
This guide will explain whether Mercari is legitimate and how to avoid being scammed. Continue reading to find out more about this platform, and to get information that will assist you in deciding whether or not to use it.
What is Mercari?
Mercari, a platform for selling, was launched in 2013. It was created to allow people to sell items they don’t need. This is where sellers can make extra money for their electronics, clothes and books.
This is the place to find nearly anything at a reasonable price if you’re a buyer. Sellers are often looking to make some extra money and get rid of their items. Their prices are usually reasonable and they aren’t professional sellers. They might be selling their stuff because they are moving out, or because their children have outgrown them.
One of the greatest things about Mercari, is that you can now do everything via a mobile app. This makes it super easy and accessible to everyone.
Is it Legit?
Mercari is a legit e-commerce platform and does a lot for its users. Mercari sellers are not employees. They are simply regular people trying to sell stuff they don’t use anymore. Mercari does everything it can to control them but they are not always honest.
Mercari maintains a list that prohibits the sale of firearms, alcohol, cigarettes and other prohibited items. Mercari will suspend anyone who tries to sell these items. Mercari cannot guarantee that the seller posted a true picture of their product. Be careful about who you buy from. If you are unsure, ask the seller for more information.
Is mercari legit?
Answering your question, yes. You can be scammed on Mercari. This doesn’t happen very often and most people ignore warning signs. If you want to avoid being scammed, we’ll show you what to look out for.
Precautions
If you are unsure about a profile, it is best to be cautious. This could be a regular user. However, it could also be scammers. Keep reading to find out how scammers are able to get away with it. Mercari does not pay sellers until buyers rate and receive items.
Two ways people could scam you are to get you to switch platforms. This is a red flag because Mercari no longer has responsibility for any transaction once you begin talking on other platforms.
Consider it this way: Why would a seller want you to communicate with them through another app, when Mercari allows for private messages and photos to be sent via the platform?
https://www.mercari.com/us/help_center/topics/ratings/
You might be swindled by people who make their products look better than they actually are in the photo. This is often the case with electronics and furniture. You should ask the seller for more photos, at least one, of the product. It is possible that they are hiding something if they refuse to send you more photos.
Unusually low prices are another red flag! Although used items are often sold, they tend to be less expensive than new items in the store. If a price seems too good for real, it is a sign that the item may not be worth its weight in gold. If someone sells an iPhone for $50 it is likely that the phone does not work.
Safeguarding
These are some tips to help you avoid potential scammers on Mercari.
Do not buy from people who insist you keep talking on other platforms. Mercari’s terms and conditions state that the app is not responsible if anything happens outside of the platform.
Always ask the seller for additional information if something seems suspicious.
Carefully read user reviews. Sellers with many reviews are always more trustworthy. You can read them to find out if buyers are satisfied with the items received.
If the price seems too good to true, be careful. You might not be able to see the defects in the photos or the seller could be concealing something.
Instead of using a debit card, use a credit card. Your credit card is always safer than a debit card. This applies to online shopping of all types.
Check the product carefully once you have received it. You have three days to confirm your purchase. You can make a complaint if something is wrong or missing.
This makes Mercari safer and more fair than other e-commerce platforms. If you notice a defect after three days, it may be too late to file a complaint. We recommend that you inspect the item immediately after it arrives.
The Bottom Line
Although the platform is completely legit, it doesn’t mean you can trust everyone on it. Many people who were scammed weren’t vigilant enough. It’s most likely that they didn’t pay enough attention and review the photos. Oder worse, they did business with the seller via another platform.
The app protects buyers but you must first protect yourself! Are you a victim of a negative experience with an e-commerce platform? Let us know what happened. Please share your story in the comments below.
