While Mercari is beginner-friendly, sellers still face some challenges. Knowing these problems — and how to solve them — can make your selling journey much smoother.
Challenge 1: Lower Average Selling Prices
- Most items sell for less compared to eBay or Amazon
Solution: Sell lightweight items, bundles, or high-demand categories (electronics, sneakers, collectibles)
Challenge 2: Slow Payments
- Mercari releases funds only after buyer ratings
Solution: Ship fast, provide tracking, and maintain good communication to encourage quick ratings
Challenge 3: High Competition in Popular Categories
- Clothing, electronics, and sneakers are crowded markets
Solution: Use high-quality photos, offer discounts, and optimize keywords in titles
Challenge 4: Strict Return & Refund Policies
- Buyers can request returns if items don’t match descriptions
Solution: Be honest with product conditions and include detailed photos
Challenge 5: Limited International Reach
- Mercari is mainly popular in the US and Japan
Solution: Focus on trending categories in these markets for maximum sales
Conclusion
Mercari is an excellent marketplace for new sellers, but success requires consistency, transparency, and good customer service. By overcoming these common challenges, sellers can build a reliable side income — or even scale it into a full business in 2025.
