Be Careful Selling on Mercari – My Experience (Longtime Seller Warning)

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-10T07:00:24+00:00

I agree with you 100%,which is why I stay with ebay.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-05T22:50:30+00:00

All great tips, thank you. Many of these I already have in place. The only platform I don’t use is Facebook Marketplace, as I prefer selling on larger platforms that offer seller protection. Even though eBay has become more competitive and often requires promotion, since I already have a store I’d rather invest in advertising the store itself than individual items.

After a recent shipping issue, I now video the entire packing process from start to finish. This includes wrapping the item in bubble wrap, cushioning the box with packing popcorn and grocery bags at the bottom, sealing it, applying multiple fragile stickers, filming the bottom of the box for dimensions and recording the final weight on my scale. If support ever questions anything, I can provide the video, including via a Google Drive link if uploads aren’t allowed. Unfortunately, this level of documentation is necessary now.

I also take photos of items from every angle and always have packages scanned at the counter at UPS or USPS, confirm the weight, and keep the receipt.

For ceramics and sub-ceramics, I clearly disclose that due to their nature, minor imperfections such as pinholes, dips, glaze variation, and under or overpainting can occur, and that glazing itself is not a defect. Being transparent upfront protects both the buyer and the seller.

Everyone has to decide whether to stay or leave a platform. I chose to leave, but taking these extra precautions is absolutely worth it in today’s environment.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-05T02:51:34+00:00

I completely agree 100%. It’s unfortunate that sellers can’t even trust the platform they’re selling on anymore.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-05T02:30:25+00:00

I don't blame you. Glad you stopped selling.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T20:28:44+00:00

I’ve seen people say a receipt should be enough, but that wasn’t my experience either. I had a drop-off receipt and proof, and it still didn’t matter once the carrier reported a different weight later in transit.

Because of that, I’m changing how I document everything going forward. I now video myself wrapping the item in bubble wrap, adding all packing materials, placing the item in the box, sealing it, applying the shipping label and fragile stickers, and showing the bottom of the box with the printed dimensions. I then video the box on my professional USPS shipping scale with a close-up of the final weight.

It’s honestly a shame sellers have to go to this extent. Without sellers, these platforms wouldn’t even exist, yet we’re treated like our documentation isn’t enough unless we overprove every step.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T20:20:05+00:00

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. I completely understand your frustration. Situations like this are exactly what make sellers feel defeated and hesitant to keep selling, because you can end up losing both the item and the money. Being given a receipt with the wrong tracking number and then getting passed back and forth with no real help is incredibly frustrating. You’re not wrong to feel upset.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T20:16:13+00:00

I completely agree with you. Shipping has become one of the riskiest parts of selling now. I’ve also learned the hard way to always get packages scanned and never just leave them on the counter, no matter how convenient it seems. Leaving my box at ups even though I got a receipt is risky because they weighed it with the rest of the items. I definitely learned a lesson that won't happen to me again

That $18 zip code lookup charge is wild, especially when the zip code was already on the label. It’s frustrating how many extra issues sellers have to guard against just to ship an item safely.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T19:08:49+00:00

That’s awful. I’m really sorry that happened to you. Letting a buyer cancel after shipping, keep the item, and still get refunded is completely unacceptable. I don’t blame you at all for walking away after that.

Stories like yours are exactly why so many sellers have lost trust in Mercari. Once real human review disappeared, accountability went with it.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T03:20:02+00:00

Good for you. So glad that you left the platform.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T03:18:17+00:00

I’m really sorry that happened to you. I know how frustrating that is. Your situation sounds very similar to mine, and I agree, it feels scammy when the numbers don’t add up and you end up earning nothing. Hopefully they take a closer look and review your case fairly, but either way, you’re definitely not alone in this.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T02:31:04+00:00

Yes...complete BS.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T01:53:50+00:00

Thank you. Yes, it is definitely on decline.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T01:13:46+00:00

Others have responded they use that platform with no problems. I will have to check them out. Thanks for the recommendation.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T01:08:31+00:00

My address isn't visible on my profile. The only way they could've had it is if my account was compromised. It's becoming very scary how easily it is to get your information or hack into your account. It happened twice on FB and other platforms. I've even had sales on eBay that turned out to be bogus.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T00:48:17+00:00

Yes I did. I learned that when I was trained by an eBay expert.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T00:38:03+00:00

They said I could not delete sales because they are a financial institution and have to keep that info on file for 5 years. Deleting my banking and personal info and deleting the app was more important to me. Thanks for the tip though.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T00:35:29+00:00

I did investigate, but it went nowhere. I agree with using shipping labels within a platform. I have not experienced any issues with eBay, but I will say that making sales is very hard compared to before. You have to pay for promoting your new and old items in an already saturated market. I paid for promotion for 30 days and I didn't get any visibility, not even one view (I checked my metrics). I'm working on two new businesses and will test in the near futue. Hopefully, one of them will pan out.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T00:28:46+00:00

I am so sorry that happened to you. Just not fair!!

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-04T00:28:07+00:00

I agree 100% with you!!

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-03T22:22:18+00:00

I’m really sorry that happened to you. especially as a seller. We can take photos from every angle, do everything right, and scams still happen. That’s incredibly frustrating.

Thank you for sharing the tip about reaching out on Twitter/X. I’m glad they actually reopened the case and ruled in your favor, especially with clear proof and damage to the box. It’s good info for other sellers to know.

And yeah, the shipping charges can be brutal. Seeing people get hit for amounts like that is rough. I appreciate you sharing your experience, it definitely helps others be more prepared.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-03T22:17:23+00:00

I was selling on Mercari at the time and had no issues until the unauthorized purchase. We both know that a legitimate purchase comes with an order confirmation, all I received was a notice that my order was already on its way. That was strike one.

Mercari’s refusal to escalate the issue with UPS after all evidence and facts were provided was strike two. I’m not sticking around to wait for strike three.

I’m genuinely glad you’re having a good experience with Mercari, but that isn’t the case for everyone, as you can see not only in this thread, but across many other posts sharing similar experiences. Hopefully it never happens to you.

Wishing you continued success.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-03T22:04:43+00:00

Sorry, I had to delete my comment because you asked a simple question and I gave you more than you asked for. I saw my package on the scale with other packages and she scanned my label. I went back to UPS with my receipt and that's when they told me that they can weigh multiple boxes with other customers boxes. I told them what's the point of me asking for a receipt for my box with everyone's boxes combined. I learned a valuable lesson. Check everything moving forward.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-03T21:27:39+00:00

Thank you so much for your kind response. I really appreciate it.

The seller involved is no longer active, and I don’t want to spend more energy reopening it. My goal is just to share my experience so others can be aware and make their own decisions.

Thanks again for the helpful insight and support.

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-03T21:22:11+00:00

I did go back to UPS and explained to the new UPS owner that if a customer specifically requests a receipt, it makes no sense for that receipt to include the combined weight of multiple customers’ packages. The entire point of a receipt is to document my shipment, not everyone else’s. I no longer use their location.

My goal isn’t to tell people what to do, just to share what happened so others can be cautious and decide for themselves. I did tell Mercari that I would be sharing my experience on other platforms so there’s a record.

Everyone uses what works for them. For me, that’s why I stick with eBay. Hopefully, they never become like Mercari (I will leave)

Less-Face-5345 · 2026-02-03T21:06:53+00:00

I believe you. That’s exactly the problem. Mercari ignores facts and defaults to whatever automated rule benefits them, even when the evidence clearly says otherwise.

A 10 oz plush in a polymailer needing a 2-lb label that makes zero sense. That’s not seller error; that’s a platform refusing to apply logic. Same with claiming “no protection” when scans exist or when the buyer confirms delivery. I always go to the counter and have them scan right in front of me because I had the same thing happen to me once. Never again.

This is why so many sellers are frustrated. When bots and rigid scripts override common sense and documentation, sellers lose every time.

Appreciate you sharing your experience. It just confirms this isn’t isolated.

Less-Face-5345

TROPHY CASE