Mercari: The Reseller’s Guide to the Aftermarket Giant

The reselling scene has experienced explosive growth over the past decade. What started with limited-edition sneaker drops has evolved into a massive global movement. Creating a massive aftermarket for everything from collectible toys and trading cards to luxury apparel and exclusive collabs. As more people rush to cash in on the hype, reselling platforms like Mercari have risen to meet the growing demand.

In fact, the resale platform industry is now a $177 billion market, with over 40% of Gen Z preferring to buy secondhand. And it’s not just about sneakers anymore. Resellers are flipping Labubus, Pokémon cards, vintage Supreme, and even rare Barbies. Enter Mercari, one of the fastest-growing platforms in the resale world.

 

What is Mercari?

Mercari is an online marketplace where users can buy and sell new or used items. From fashion and electronics to toys, trading cards, and collectibles. Founded in Japan and now one of the most popular resale apps in the U.S., Mercari offers a simple way for individuals to turn their closet (or sneaker shelf) into cash.

Unlike StockX or GOAT, Mercari operates more like eBay, a peer-to-peer platform that requires no bidding and offers greater flexibility in what can be listed.

Is This Marketplace Legit?

Yes, Mercari is legit. With over 50 million downloads in the U.S. alone and thousands of daily active users, it’s a well-established platform. While it doesn’t offer the same strict sneaker authentication process as StockX, Mercari does provide authentication services for select items (including sneakers, handbags, and watches) via their partnership with Certified Authentication experts.

How to Sell on Mercari

Selling on Mercari is beginner-friendly:

1. Create an account on the Mercari app or website.

2. List your item with photos, title, description, and price.

3. Choose shipping: Mercari offers prepaid labels and discounted shipping through USPS, FedEx, and UPS.

4. Ship it out within 3 business days.

5. Once delivered and confirmed, you get paid.

Pro tip: Listings with clear photos, accurate descriptions, and fast shipping tend to sell faster.

What Can I Sell on Mercari?

Mercari supports a huge range of products, which is why it’s so popular among resellers. Here are some of the top categories you can sell on the platform:

• Sneakers: Jordans, Dunks, Travis Scotts, and more

• Streetwear & Fashion: Supreme, KITH, Denim Tears, vintage clothing

• Game Consoles: PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch

• Mattel Items: Hot Wheels, Barbies, and exclusive Mattel Creations drops

• Collectible Toys: Labubus, Sonny Angels, Smiskis, Skullpanda dolls

• Electronics: Phones, tablets, headphones, smartwatches

• Trading Cards: Pokémon, Topps, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and sports cards

• Beauty Products: Skincare, makeup, fragrance (new or sealed only)

• Home & Kitchen Goods: Decor, small appliances, drinkware (like Stanley cups)

• Books, Games, & Media: Video games, board games, movies, and more

As long as your item follows Mercari’s guidelines and isn’t prohibited, there’s likely a buyer waiting for it.

Mercari Seller Fees

Mercari charges two main fees:

• Selling fee: 10% of the item’s sale price.

• Payment processing fee: No extra fees required for sales completed after January 2025.

No listing fee, no monthly subscription, and no final value fee make Mercari a low-risk option for casual and first-time sellers.

Shipping Time

Shipping time depends on the method chosen, but generally:

• Standard shipping takes 3–7 business days.

• Mercari recommends that sellers ship within 3 days of purchase.

• Buyers receive tracking updates and delivery confirmation.

Where Does Mercari Operate and Deliver?

• Mercari U.S.: Operates only within the United States.

• Items can be shipped and delivered only domestically; no international shipping is supported as of now.

This means you can only sell or buy from other U.S.-based users.

Mercari vs StockX

Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you decide which is better for your next flip or your next cop:

The Global Resale Game: A Blessing and a Curse

Platforms like Mercari, eBay, Grailed, and StockX have opened the doors wide. Whether you’re hunting for Travis Scott sneakers or diving into the Labubu and Sonny Angel collectible craze, you can now buy nearly anything from anywhere. But there’s a catch: you’re always paying resale!

If you’re tired of being at the mercy of sellers, there’s another way: sneaker bots like NikeShoeBot. These bots help you buy hyped items for retail before they sell out. And once you cop? You can resell them yourself on Mercari or any other platform. Making anything from a bit of profit, up to literal fortunes in a matter of days!

What Can NSB Buy?

With NikeShoeBot, you’re not just limited to sneakers. Here’s a peek at what you can target and cop for retail, before anyone else:

Sneakers & Streetwear:

• Nike Sneakers (Jordans, Dunks & more)

• Supreme Apparel & Accessories

• Palace Skateboards & Apparel

• KITH Collections & Collabs

• Denim Tears Apparel

• Travis Scott Sneakers

Collectibles & Toys:

• Labubu Figures

• Sonny Angels

• Smiskis

• Skullpanda Dolls

• Mattel Creations Dolls

• Exclusive Barbies

• Exclusive Hot Wheels

Cards & Miscellaneous:

• Topps Cards

• Pokémon Cards

• Exclusive Stanley Cups

Mercari is a great starting point for new resellers and collectors. It’s flexible, user-friendly, and home to some serious gems. But if you’re serious about flipping, you need to buy low and sell high, which means catching items before they sell out. That’s where NSB and other powerful sneaker bots come in. Whether you’re flipping sneakers or chasing Labubu grails, NSB puts you in control of the resale game, no markup, no middleman, just profit!