Poshmark vs Depop vs Mercari: A Seller Guide (2023)

Are you tired of staring at your overflowing closet and wondering how to make some extra cash? Do you have a keen eye for style and an entrepreneurial spirit? If yes then start selling the items that you no longer use on online marketplaces!

In the age of sustainability and conscious consumerism, buying secondhand has become more popular than ever. As a result, online marketplaces like Poshmark, Depop, and Mercari have exploded in popularity, offering individuals like you the opportunity to turn their unwanted clothing and accessories into hard cash.

But with so many marketplaces to choose from, how do you know which platform is the best fit for you as a seller?

In this seller guide, we’ll compare Poshmark vs Depop vs Mercari and take a deep dive into the ins and outs of all these platforms, examining everything from selling fees and shipping options to audience demographics and payment methods.

So dust off those vintage finds, snap some pics, and get ready to cash in on your impeccable taste!

Poshmark vs Depop vs Mercari: An Overview

Poshmark vs Depop vs Mercari: A Comparison from a Seller’s Perspective

1- Number of Buyers & Sellers

When it comes to selling on online marketplaces, one of the most important factors to consider is the number of buyers and sellers on the platform. This can impact the level of competition and the potential for sales.

So let’s take a closer look at the number of buyers and sellers on Poshmark, Depop, and Mercari from a seller’s perspective.

Poshmark

Poshmark is one of the largest online marketplaces for buying and selling fashion items. As of 2023, there are over 80 million registered buyers on the platform. In addition, there are over 7 million registered sellers on the social commerce platform.

Poshmark has a large and engaged user base, with thousands of new listings added every day. However, the competition among sellers on the platform is also high due to the large number of sellers.

Depop

Depop is another popular platform for buying and selling fashion items, with a focus on vintage and unique clothing. As of 2023, Depop has over 35 million registered buyers worldwide while there are 1.8 million registered sellers on the platform.

While Depop’s user base is smaller than Poshmark’s, it has a highly engaged community that appreciates unique and vintage clothing items. The platform also attracts a younger demographic, with many Gen Z and Millennial users.

Mercari

Mercari is another well-known online marketplace that allows users to buy and sell a wide range of items, including electronics, clothing, and household items. As of 2023, Mercari has over 20 million registered users while the number of active sellers on the platform is around 4 million.

The marketplace has a broad user base, with buyers and sellers from all walks of life. However, competition among sellers on the platform is high due to the broad range of items being sold.

2- Listing Process

Poshmark:

Poshmark’s listing process is straightforward and user-friendly. The first step is to take photos of the item you want to sell, which can be done using the Poshmark app on your phone. You can upload up to 16 photos for each item, including a cover photo and additional images showing different angles or details. After that, you need to provide a title, description, category, and price for your listing.

Depop:

Depop’s listing process is similar to Poshmark’s, but with a more visually-focused approach. The first step is to take photos of your item in a way that captures its unique style and personality. Depop encourages sellers to showcase their items in real-life settings or on models to help buyers visualize how they might wear the item. Once you’ve taken your photos, you’ll need to provide a title, description, category, and price for your listing.

Mercari:

Mercari’s listing process is perhaps the most streamlined of the three platforms. You can list an item for sale in just a few clicks by selecting a category, adding a title and description, and setting a price. Mercari also offers a feature called “Smart Pricing,” which automatically adjusts your price based on market trends and buyer behavior.

3- Selling Fees

Poshmark:

Poshmark charges a flat fee of $2.95 for sales under $15, and a 20% commission for sales over $15. For instance, if you sell an item for $20, Poshmark will take a commission of $4 (20% of $20), leaving you with a profit of $16.

Depop:

Depop charges a 10% commission on the total transaction amount, which includes the item price and any shipping costs. For instance, if you sell an item for $30 with $5 shipping, Depop will take a commission of $3.50 (10% of $35) leaving you with a profit of $26.50.

Mercari:

Mercari charges a 10% commission on the total sale price, which includes the item price and any shipping costs. Unlike Poshmark and Depop, Mercari does not charge any additional flat fees. For instance, if you sell an item for $25 with $6 shipping, Mercari will take a commission of $3.10 (10% of $31) leaving you with a profit of $21.90.

4- Shipping Process & Fee

Poshmark:

Poshmark has a flat shipping fee of $7.11 for items weighing up to 5 pounds. The buyer pays this fee at the time of purchase, and Poshmark provides a prepaid shipping label. The seller needs to package the item and drop it off at the nearest USPS location.

Depop:

Depop allows sellers to choose their preferred shipping carrier and method, as long as they provide tracking information to the buyer. The shipping cost is not fixed and varies depending on the weight and dimensions of the item, the shipping carrier, and the destination. Sellers can either include the shipping cost in the item price or charge the buyer separately for shipping.

Mercari:

Mercari also allows sellers to choose their preferred shipping carrier and method, with the option to purchase shipping labels directly from the app. The cost of shipping depends on the weight and dimensions of the item and the chosen carrier. However, unlike Depop, Mercari automatically calculates the shipping cost based on the item’s weight and dimensions, and the seller cannot modify it.

5- In-App Promotional Features and Tools

Poshmark:

Poshmark offers several in-app promotional tools and features to help sellers increase their visibility and sales. These include:

– Sharing:

Sellers on Poshmark can share products available on their closet with other active poshers on the platform.

– Posh Parties:

These are virtual events where sellers can share their listings with a specific theme, such as “Designer Handbags” or “Athletic Wear.”

– Bundle Discount:

Poshmark offers a bundle discount where buyers can receive a discount if they purchase multiple items from the same seller.

Depop:

– Social Media Integration:

Depop allows sellers to connect their social media accounts, which can help increase their visibility and attract more buyers.

– Bundling:

Depop sellers can offer budndle discounts to buyers who purchase multiple items from their shop. This can help increase sales and clear out inventory.

Mercari:

– Mercari Promoted Listings:

This is a paid feature that allows sellers to promote their listings on the Mercari app and website.

– Mercari Price Drop:

Sellers can lower the price of their listings, and buyers who have liked those listings will receive a notification about the price drop.

6- Seller Protection

Another things to consider when choosing an online marketplace between Poshmark, Depop, and Mercari is seller protection.

Poshmark

– Posh Authenticate

Poshmark has a strict authentication process for all luxury items sold on the platform. All luxury items over $500 are first sent to Poshmark’s team of experts for authentication before being shipped to the buyer. This helps prevent buyers from claiming that they have received wrong, fake, or counterfeit items.

– Shipping Protection

Poshmark provides shipping protection for all orders. This means that if a buyer claims they did not receive the item or the item was damaged during shipping, Poshmark will investigate the issue and may issue a refund to the buyer. However, the seller is protected as Poshmark will not deduct the funds from the seller’s account in such cases.

– Payment Protection

Poshmark handles all payments made by buyers, and funds are not released to the seller until the buyer confirms they received the item and that it matches the description. This ensures that the seller does not have to worry about fraudulent or unauthorized payments.

Depop

– Depop Protection:

Depop offers protection for transactions that are made through its platform. If a transaction is disputed, Depop will step in to help resolve the issue.

– Depop Resolution Center:

In the event of a dispute or chargeback, Depop offers a resolution center where sellers can work with buyers to resolve any issues.

Mercari

– Mercari Seller Protection:

Mercari has a seller protection policy that outlines what sellers can do if they encounter a problem with a buyer. The policy includes steps such as reporting the issue to Mercari, providing evidence of the issue, and following Mercari’s instructions for resolving the problem.

– Payment Protection:

Mercari provides payment protection for its sellers through its payment system. When a buyer purchases an item from a seller, the payment is held by Mercari so that it can be later released to the seller.

7- Payout Options

Poshmark

Once a buyer receives the ordered item, Poshmark will transfer the funds to the seller’s Poshmark account within three days of delivery. Following this, the seller can withdraw the money such various options such as Instant Transfer, PayPal, Venmo, direct deposit into bank account, or request a check.

Depop

Once the seller make a sale, the funds will be directed to his/her connected PayPal account on Depop. Subsequently, you have the option to transfer the money to your bank account via direct bank transfer.

Mercari

There are two ways to withdraw your money from Mercari: Instant Pay and direct deposit. If you choose Instant Pay, your cash will be transferred to your debit card nearly instantly, but there will be a $2 fee. On the other hand, if you opt for direct bank deposit, it may take up to five days to receive your funds.

8- Return & Refund Policy

When it comes to selling online, it’s important to understand the return and refund policies of the platforms you’re selling on.

Poshmark

Poshmark offers buyers the option to return an item within three days of receiving it. The return must be initiated through the Poshmark app and approved by the seller.

The seller has five days to respond to the return request. If the seller does not respond within five days, the return is automatically approved. Once the return is approved, the buyer has five days to ship the item back to the seller. Once the seller receives the item, Poshmark will release the funds to the buyer.

Depop

Depop’s return and refund policy is more lenient than Poshmark’s. Buyers have 14 days to initiate a return for any reason. The seller must accept the return within three days of receiving the request.

If the seller does not respond within three days, the return is automatically approved. Once the return is approved, the buyer has seven days to ship the item back to the seller. Once the seller receives the item, Depop will release the funds to the buyer.

Mercari

Mercari’s return and refund policy is similar to Poshmark’s. Buyers have three days to initiate a return. The seller has three days to respond to the request. If the seller does not respond within three days, the return is automatically approved.

Once the return is approved, the buyer has five days to ship the item back to the seller. Once the seller receives the item, Mercari will release the funds to the buyer.

Conclusion:

Poshmark, Depop, and Mercari are all great marketplaces for selling or reselling clothing and other items online. Each marketplace has its strengths and weaknesses, such as Poshmark’s strong community and Depop’s focus on trendy and vintage items.

Ultimately, the best choice for you as a seller depends on your specific needs and preferences. Take some time to explore each platform and determine which one aligns best with your selling goals.

With a bit of effort and dedication, any of these marketplaces can be you source for earning extra income and decluttering your closet.

Keep following Crosslisting blogs for more informational guides like this.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How do Poshmark, Depop, and Mercari differ from each other?

A: Poshmark is known for its focus on high-end fashion and accessories, while Depop is popular among vintage and streetwear enthusiasts. Mercari offers a wider range of items, including electronics and home goods, in addition to clothing.

Q: How much do Poshmark, Depop, and Mercari charge in selling fees?

A: Poshmark takes a 20% commission on sales over $15, while Depop and Mercari take a 10% commission on all sales.

Q: Are there any restrictions on what can be sold on Poshmark, Depop, and Mercari?

A: Yes, all three platforms have restrictions on what can be sold, such as counterfeit items, weapons, and hazardous materials.