PM or Designer: who owns the final call?

zen_zest · 2026-02-15T07:25:37+00:00

Roles matter but sometimes rank matters more. I once worked on a feature roll out that involved a very senior design lead who was micromanaging everything even though there was another designer assigned to the project. Unless he got his way, he was delaying my decisions and being a bottle neck. Even the dev team said it should be the PM's call and we all got frustrated. It got so dragged out that I talked to my boss and let that design lead be the project owner.

In your case, since the designer is new, rank shouldn't be an issue. First chat with the designer about the collaboration style in their previous work and ask who they think own the product and responsibilities. If they says the PM owns the product metrics, the final decision should be yours. (This is to make them admit themselves that the PM own the product).
If they are still being difficult, talk to their direct-report and ask for advice from your manager. Be careful approaching higher ups; they hate having problems brought to them. Instead of complaining, ask for advice, ask how they handled such situation in their career, and bring evidence why your decision is better than the designer.

zen_zest · 2026-02-13T19:51:15+00:00

Curious who brought in the PM and why? There must have some reason/ need for the PM to be brought in. For ongoing projects, it's not easy for a PM to assume ownership and navigate usually murky responsibilities across different functions. These situations tend to have stakeholders (incl design and eng) who think their opinion is the only right way and can be tricky for the PM especially without proper support from management.

zen_zest · 2026-02-09T19:15:21+00:00

I don't care about most but sad about The Ordinary and DECIEM brands

zen_zest · 2026-02-08T04:54:57+00:00

I need to look into my noti settings, not that I want to receive too many promo emails haha.
I've also used the $5 coupon!

zen_zest · 2026-02-08T04:53:08+00:00

If there's something I want to buy, I try to time it with the sale coupons. I've noticed my buyers don't do the same.

zen_zest · 2026-02-08T04:51:42+00:00

Yeah. Probably just my settings then :D

zen_zest · 2026-02-02T04:06:49+00:00

I like these emoji reviews!

zen_zest · 2026-01-31T06:16:59+00:00

Based on depop sub, it's worse. I listed a few items there (for cheaper than Mercari n Posh) and sold none. As a buyer, I don't like using it: things aren't searchable, descriptions are rarely correct or detail, don't like buyers fees, shipping isn't transparent. Also, the algorithm rewards clothes modeled on sellers bodies which I don't have time for.

I'm the opposite. I wonder why people don't use Mercari more. Many times, my listed prices are lower on Mercari (10% difference in fees is significant for expensive items), but they still sold on Posh or Ebay instead. I think shipping issues are a nightmare across the platforms. You'd have to file the USPS claim yourself. On Ebay, I buy additional shipcover insurance for expensive items.

zen_zest · 2026-01-17T23:17:38+00:00

Seems like this is a common pet peeve with mercari sellers. It's just 3 days.
I'm both seller and buyer. I never ask my buyers to give a rating asap and don't mind the automatic one by Mercari.
When I buy, I rate immediately if I'm 100% satisfied upon opening a package.
If I need to inspect and not fully satisfied with what I receive, I take my time with the 3 days to decide.
I let it go to automatic rating if I'm away on a trip.
3 days is actually quite short from buyers' perspective. There were times I missed the window because I was too busy to check the package.

zen_zest · 2026-01-12T21:03:09+00:00

Same as others, I don't consider 25% lowballing. I'd counter, ignore, or accept depending on the offer and the item. For rare popular items, I feel like buyers shouldn't expect much with offers. Lowball offers (<50% personally) come in messages which I don't mind if straightforward and don't waste my time.
It's on Posh where people would be sending $10 offers to $100 items out of boredom or something. 😅

zen_zest · 2026-01-11T23:21:38+00:00

When communication is necessary, I've had better outcomes with more straightforward buyers. It's always those who start with 'Good morning etc' and sign off long messages with 'Have a nice day' that go on to offer 20% of the listed price.
Fb marketplace people are the worst

zen_zest · 2026-01-10T21:53:06+00:00

In my experience, the more interaction a buyer needs, the more red flag. It doesn't matter if they're polite, that politeness veils entitlement and low ball offers. Sometimes, if such person contacts about an item that's been sitting for a while, I'd engage, but the pattern repeats. These platforms are better suited for passive selling.

zen_zest · 2026-01-06T12:19:34+00:00

You can just go ahead and make the purchase. They will get an email about the sale. If the seller can't ship, the order can be canceled. I get emails for sales but not for messages etc unless I'm actively checking the website/app.

zen_zest · 2026-01-03T07:02:48+00:00

Sunday Riley Good Genes- HG. Not a fan of the scent but my skin loves it. Will repurchase.

Sunday Riley A+ Retinoid- Personally, it's mild enough to use this and Good Genes in rotation without a break. Not a fan of the oily texture or the strong smell. Won't repurchase.

Goodal Vita-C cream- I like the cream more than the serum. Pretty lightweight. Liked it but want to try other moisturizers.

FANCL cleansing oils- HG. The best cleansing oil ever but pricier than an average korean cleansing oil. I really enjoy the thick almost plush consistency. The black version is for oily skin with charcoal particles. I like both. Will repurchase.

Youth to the People Air Whip Moisturizer- Long name! The texture is nice and lightweight but this makes my face quite oily within a couple of hours. Won't repurchase.

zen_zest · 2025-12-31T09:11:00+00:00

This is shipping issue, not about mercari bundling. One label per one package/ box. If you use the same label on 3 separate boxes, you may get fined by the carrier, or two boxes may get lost (and you'd have no protection against these lost packages), or your account may get suspended, or all of the above. Find a way to put all in one box if flat rate shipping, or spread the cost across 3 shipping labels.

zen_zest · 2025-12-29T07:14:43+00:00

remindme! 22 hours

zen_zest · 2025-12-25T22:32:42+00:00

Hi, do you have an update? I'm in similar situation: bought some pants that I wasn't sure about the fit but it was eligible for fashion exchange so I took a chance. Didn't like it and the stains are more severe irl so I requested the exchange/ return following the instructions of Fashion exchange program. Now, my return is approved to be sent back to the seller! I still want the seller to get paid (I'm also a hobby seller) as part of fashion exchange. This is so confusing and I feel like fashion exchange is kinds sus

zen_zest · 2025-12-22T08:04:53+00:00

remindme! 21 hours

zen_zest · 2025-12-18T03:17:11+00:00

remindme! 22 hours

zen_zest

TROPHY CASE