Online reused goods marketplace Mercari is eliminating selling fees as part of a new business model.
At a time when other marketplaces are raising fees for sellers, Mercari is doing the opposite by becoming the first and only major U.S. resale marketplace to offer no selling fees, the company stated. Mercari already has begun applying the updated model, which covers all new listings and will roll out sitewide in the coming weeks.
Mercari also is simplifying the buying experience with a new returns policy. As part of the policy shift, the company will charge buyers a service fee allowing for hassle-free returns, it maintained. Shoppers on the platform now can initiate a return within three days for any reason with the assurance of a refund, less applicable fees. The policy applies to all items across the platform including home goods, beauty, games and toys, collectibles, trading cards, rare vintage finds, fashion and authenticated luxury goods.
With the change, Mercari has become the first major resale marketplace simultaneously charging no selling or listing fees and offering a nationwide shipping discount, it asserted.
“At Mercari, we remain committed to making secondhand selling as easy and rewarding as possible,” said John Lagerling, Mercari U.S. CEO. “With the removal of selling fees across our platform, we’re setting the new standard for peer-to-peer marketplaces and incentivizing even more sellers to choose Mercari. With zero selling fees, Mercari sellers can price their items more competitively and keep their earnings, making it the best choice for everyone looking to sell their unused items. Our marketplace is rich with the top trending items and one-of-a-kind treasures you often can’t find anywhere else. We expect this new business model to give us an even greater lead in offering the best inventory to shoppers across the country, particularly in the most exciting categories that Mercari users have come to recognize us for.”
