Peer-to-peer e-commerce platforms have made it easier than ever to turn items into cash. In fact, many professional “resellers” buy and sell to flip items for a profit online. But with so many options, it can be hard to know where to start.
In this blog post, we'll compare two of the most popular choices: Mercari and Depop. Both marketplaces have much to offer, but which is the best fit for you? We'll break down the pros and cons of each platform to help you make the best choice.
Main Takeaways
- Mercari vs. Depop: Both platforms cater to different seller needs; Mercari is ideal for diverse inventories, while Depop is perfect for fashion-focused sellers.
- No Selling Fees: In 2024, both Mercari and Depop eliminated selling fees, allowing you to keep more of your profits.
- Shipping Options: Both marketplaces offer flexible shipping choices, but Depop's global reach is superior.
- Listing Features: Depop’s listing tools include video uploads and hashtags for better visibility, while Mercari’s Smart Pricing and Smart Offers automate pricing adjustments.
- Boost Your Sales with Vendoo: Crosslist to multiple platforms, including Mercari and Depop, effortlessly using Vendoo to expand your reach and increase sales.
What Is Mercari?
Mercari is a great place to sell online items, with over 350 thousand new items listed daily. Mercari, a company started in Japan, now has 23 million active users in the United States! Mercari is rapidly growing due to its ease of use and popularity.
Creating a Mercari account takes only seconds, and the app is simple and user-friendly. You can sell almost anything on Mercari, with top sellers being electronics and media, toys and games, and apparel.
One of the best things about Mercari is its unparalleled ease of use. Mercari offers the simplest selling experience, making it a top marketplace among sellers.
For an in-depth analysis of everything you need to know about Mercari, check out the article Mastering Mercari.
What is Depop?
Depop is a popular, trendy marketplace with 35 million active users in over 150 countries. Depop is rapidly growing due to its unique blend of social media features and fashion focus.
Depop is known for fashion, but has a broad range of selling categories. Creating a Depop account takes only seconds, and the app is simple and user-friendly.
One of the best things about Depop is its vibrant community and focus on sustainability, making it a top marketplace among fashion sellers.
For everything you need to know about Depop, check out the article How to Get Started Selling on Depop.
Mercari vs. Depop: Complete Breakdown
Choosing the right marketplaces to sell your items can significantly affect your success as an online seller. In this section, we'll provide a detailed comparison between Mercari and Depop, helping you determine which platform best suits your selling needs.
Target Demographics
Understanding a marketplace’s demographics and target audience is crucial for sellers to maximize their reach and sales potential. Aligning your products with the right audience can significantly enhance your success in the online marketplace.
Depop primarily attracts a younger, trendier audience with a strong focus on fashion. The majority of Depop users are between 18 and 35, and 90% are under 26. They are particularly interested in secondhand fashion, vintage items, and unique, trendy clothing.
Mercari's user base is much broader and more diverse in terms of age and interests. Mercari attracts a wide audience, including buyers and sellers of all ages with a broad range of interests. The marketplace is popular among those looking for both new and used items across various categories, from fashion to home goods and electronics.
Sellers focused on fashion and vintage items might prefer Depop due to its targeted demographic. However, those looking to reach a more diverse audience with various selling categories might find Mercari's broader user base more advantageous.
Poshmark primarily attracts a younger, trendier audience with a strong focus on women. Most Poshmark users are between 18-35 years old and female, and the platform is particularly popular among those interested in secondhand fashion, luxury items, and trendy clothing.
Popular Product Categories
The range of selling categories varies by marketplace. On Depop, you can sell men’s, women’s, and children’s fashion, vintage items, select home goods, and accessories. On Mercari, you can sell almost anything as long as it’s not illegal.
The top-selling categories on Depop include:
- Fashion: Women's clothing, men's clothing, shoes, accessories
- Vintage: Including unique and retro fashion items
- Home Goods: Small home decor and artistic pieces
💡Tip: The specific top-selling fashion categories on Depop are designer, Y2k, Vintage, Streetwear, and OOAK (one-of-a-kind).
The top-selling categories on Mercari include:
- Electronics: Including computers, tablets, phones, cameras, video game consoles, games, and accessories
- Fashion: Clothing and apparel for all ages
- Home Decor and Household Items: A wide range of items from kitchenware to bedding
- Toys and Collectibles: From action figures to rare items
- Beauty Products: Including skincare, haircare, and makeup
Mercari is well-known for its extensive variety of product categories, which is much more expansive than Depop. Mercari’s broader range of categories makes it a better fit for sellers with diverse inventories beyond fashion. Depop’s niched audience makes it a great place to sell curated fashion.
Listing Process
Listing an item is straightforward on both Mercari and Depop.
On Depop, sellers add photos and video media, add a description, set a price, and select shipping options. The platform guides users through each step, making the process quick and easy.
There are some unique fields on Depop:
- On Depop, modeled photos and flat-lay photos are recommended.
- Depop allows for video media; your item is 50% more likely to sell if your listing includes a video.
- There are some style fields and unique item specifics.
- Depop allows for 5 hashtags, which are crucial for exposure.
- You can opt-in to global shipping for each listing in the international shipping field.
👀 Did you know that the entire listing description is searchable on Depop? That means every word you enter in your Depop description helps your items to appear in relevant searches.
Listing on Mercari is simple. Sellers add photos and a description, set a price, and select shipping options. The Mercari listing form is self-explanatory, with only a couple unique fields:
- Mercari Smart Pricing: Mercari Smart Pricing allows you to select a “starting price” and a “floor” price for your items. Mercari will continuously drop the listing price until it hits the floor price, promoting and exposing the listing to potential buyers at each update.
- Mercari Smart Offers: Mercari Smart Offers allow you to enter your bottom line. Then, any offers at or above it will be automatically accepted, and offers below it will be automatically sent a counteroffer for your bottom-line reserve price.
Mercari and Depop Fees: A Comparison
Neither Mercari nor Depop have selling fees! That’s right: no selling fees on Mercari or Depop.
Both marketplaces eliminated selling fees in 2024. While there are no official “commission” fees, there might be a few hidden fees. 👀
Mercari Fees: How much does Mercari take?
Mercari has no sellling fees as of March 2024. For items listed after this date, there are no fees!
A few things to note:
- Sellers keep 100% of their sale price unless they offer free shipping and pay it themselves.
- There is a $2 fee to redeem your balance. Note that this is $2 per redemption, not per sale. So, if you sell something for $10 and choose to transfer your funds immediately, you will only get $8 in your bank account. However, if you sell 10 things at $10 each and patiently await your funds to transfer at once, you will get $98 in your bank account.
- A payment processing fee and service fee is paid by the buyer in each transaction.
Depop Fees: How much does Depop take?
Depop eliminated the selling fee as of July 2024. For listings created after July 15, 2024, there are no Depop selling fees. A few things to note:
- The transaction fee still applies to all listings. In the US, the translation fee is 3.3% + $0.45 of the sale price for payments made through Depop Payments. (Note that transaction fees vary by location)
- If you use the Boosted Listings feature in Depop, you will incur an 8% boosting fee on the total sale price.
The Boost feature promotes your item(s) by placing them in one of the boosted tiles on the search results page. The boosting fee applies when the buyer views, clicks, or likes your listing via the boosted tile and purchases it within 28 days.
Mercari and Depop fees are among the lowest compared to all other peer-to-peer marketplaces.
You might also be interested in the article A Reseller’s Guide to Marketplace Fees.
Buyer-Seller Communication Tools
Depop provides a straightforward messaging system within the app, allowing buyers and sellers to communicate directly about items, offers, and orders. Buyers can also comment on listings, making asking questions or requesting additional information easy.
Mercari similarly offers a messaging system. Sellers and buyers can communicate directly through messages about items, negotiate prices, and discuss shipping details.
Negotiations and Offers
Both Mercari and Depop allow both sellers and buyers to send offers.
On both marketplaces, buyers can send offers, and sellers can accept, decline, or counteroffer. Similarly, sellers can send offers to likers, and buyers can accept, decline, or counteroffer.
👀Did you know that offers are not binding on Depop. If you accept an offer made by a buyer, they still have a chance to change their mind. The sale is not complete until cashout.
Shipping
Mercari and Depop both offer various flexible shipping options for sellers. On both platforms, sellers can choose to ship with prepaid labels from the Marketplace or facilitate shipping independently.
How Does Shipping Work on Depop?
On Depop, there are many shipping selections available to sellers. When listing, you must select whether to:
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Ship with Depop or ship on your own;
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Offer free shipping or charge shipping; and
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Use USPS, FedEx, or UPS.
Each Depop listing has a shipping section for this information. If you select to ship with Depop, Depop will email you a USPS label upon sale. However, you must enter the item’s approximate weight (including packaging) when you list to select the label tier.
When you ship with Depop, you can download a prepaid shipping label issued by Depop. Tracking will automatically start once the package is en route. Depop uses USPS Ground Advantage for qualifying packages and USPS Priority Mail for all heavier orders.
Electing to ship on your own requires purchasing your shipping label and providing Depop with the tracking information for the package. When you ship on your own, you can purchase through any carrier.
Expand your exposure by offering international shipping. Depop exists in over 150 countries worldwide, and buyers love American Vintage!
💡Tip: For the best rates on shipping on your own, I recommend using Pirate Ship. Note that you must ship on your own for international shipping on Depop.
To learn more about the pros and cons of self-shipping vs. shipping with Depop, check out The Reseller's Guide to Shipping on Depop.
How Does Shipping Work on Mercari?
As a seller, you have many ways to ship on Mercari. You can decide whether to:
- Ship with Mercari or ship on your own;
- Offer free shipping or charge shipping; and
- Use USPS, FedEx, or UPS.
If you ship with Mercari, they will provide a label upon sale. However, the approximate weight and dimensions of the item in the packaging are required when listing. Mercari is very strict; if you do not put the correct weight in the listing and your package is even a single ounce over, you will be charged the difference- and Mercari is not exactly known for affordable shipping. 🥴
Electing to ship on your own requires purchasing a shipping label and providing Mercari with the tracking number for the package. Usually, the rates on PirateShip are significantly more affordable than those on Mercari. So, if you’re offering free shipping and must pay out of pocket, it might be worth considering self-shipping to reduce costs.
💡Tip: Shipping with Mercari labels is more convenient, and your packages qualify for Mercari protection. If you ship on your own, you don’t necessarily have Mercari protection, and you might consider adding insurance to your parcels.
Returns
Depop and Mercari have very similar return policies. Technically, sellers do not need to accept returns unless an item is not as described, damaged, counterfeit, or never shipped.
However, both marketplaces tend to rule in favor of buyers. That is, if your buyer wants a return, they are likely to get one.
Depop allows sellers to create their return policy. Of course, buyer protections are in place even if a seller does not allow returns. When a buyer opens a claim with Depop, you do not see the claim or get a chance to respond. Depop will decide and inform you of the next steps.
On Mercari, all sales are final unless the item(s) is not as described, damaged, or never sent. Mercari does not allow returns when an item is accurately described, so a buyer cannot return items that do not fit, that they do not like, because they have changed their mind, etc. However, buyers may attempt to initiate a return request, which takes several days to resolve, when your funds are held up. If a buyer requests a return, Mercari might ask for your input. Ultimately, Mercari will rule on the case and inform you of the next steps.
Payment Methods
Mercari offers many payment methods for buyers:
- Credit/Debit Cards: Buyers can use major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
- Venmo
- Zip
Of course, buyers can use Mercari Credits and their Mercari balance to make purchases.
Depop offers many payment methods for buyers through Depop Payments:
- Credit/Debit Cards: Buyers can use major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
- Klarna
Depop payments are facilitated through Stripe.
Payout Process
Mercari and Depop have much different payout processes.
On Depop, US sellers will always be paid automatically through Depop Payments. Your balance will be paid directly into the bank account you link to Depop.
For each sale, the payout will be initiated to your linked bank account two business days after the package has been tracked as delivered. If tracking details aren’t provided, your payout will be initiated 10 business days after the sale date. After initiation, processing times vary by bank, but usually only a few business days.
On Mercari, sellers do not get paid automatically; they have to transfer funds manually. After making a sale, your balance becomes available once the buyer receives and rates the transaction or within 72 hours after the package has been tracked as delivered (whichever comes first).
Two ways to transfer your balance to your bank account are direct deposit and instant pay:
- Direct Deposit: Transfers to your bank account are usually processed the next business day, but can take up to 5 business days for the funds to be transferred and available in your bank account. The fee for this service is $2
- Instant Pay: Receive your funds in just minutes. This requires verifying your identity but makes your funds available instantly. The fee for this service is $3
Pros and Cons of Selling on Mercari
Let’s explore the pros and cons of selling on Mercari. By understanding the platform's benefits and challenges, you'll be better equipped to decide if it's the right choice for your reselling business.
Mercari Pros
- Ease of Use: Mercari is incredibly user-friendly, making it easy for new sellers to get started quickly. The app's clean interface simplifies the listing process, allowing you to list items in minutes.
- No Selling Fees: As of March 2024, Mercari has eliminated selling fees, allowing sellers to keep 100% of their sale price. This change can significantly boost your profit margins.
- Diverse Selling Categories: Mercari allows you to sell various items, from electronics and fashion to home goods and toys. This versatility makes it an excellent platform for sellers with diverse inventories.
- Smart Pricing and Offers: Mercari’s Smart Pricing and Smart Offers features automate price adjustments and offer management, helping sellers maximize their sales potential with minimal effort.
Mercari Cons
- Limited Seller Protection: While Mercari offers seller protection for items shipped with their labels, this protection is not extended if you choose to ship independently. This can be a drawback if you prefer to manage your shipping.
- Limited Region: On Mercari, sellers can only ship to the United States.
- High Shipping Costs: Mercari’s shipping rates can be higher, especially if your package is slightly over the listed weight. This might require sellers to carefully weigh their items and consider alternative shipping methods like Pirate Ship.
- Manual Payouts: Unlike other platforms, Mercari requires sellers to manually transfer their funds after a sale, which can be less convenient than automatic payouts. There is also a fee for transferring your balance.
Pros and Cons of Selling on Depop
Let’s explore the pros and cons of selling on Depop to help you better understand the selling experience.
Depop Pros
- Fashion-Focused Audience: Depop’s younger, trendier user base is highly focused on fashion, making it a great platform for sellers specializing in clothing, accessories, and vintage items.
- Global Reach: Depop sellers an ship to over 150 countries, significantly expanding the audience base.
- Social Media Integration: Depop’s social media-like features, such as following, liking, and sharing, create a vibrant community and enhance the visibility of your listings.
- Listing Videos: Depop allows sellers to add video media to their listings, which has been shown to increase the likelihood of a sale. This feature can help your items stand out in a crowded marketplace.
- No Selling Fees: As of July 2024, Depop has removed its selling fees, allowing sellers to keep more of their earnings. This can make Depop a more profitable platform for sellers. However, note that payment processing fees still apply (see above).
Depop Cons
- Limited Product Categories: Depop’s primary focus on fashion and vintage items means that sellers with diverse inventories might find the marketplace limiting.
- Slower Payouts: Depop’s payout process can take a few days after the item is delivered, which might be slower than other platforms where funds are available more quickly.
- Offers Not Binding: Offers are not binding on Depop. When a buyer submits an offer and the seller accepts, the buyer can still change their mind. Many sellers find this to be incredibly frustrating.
Which Is Right for You: Mercari or Depop?
There's no denying that selling on Mercari and Depop are great options for resellers. Both platforms are great for reselling new or secondhand items. But which one is right for you?
Mercari is ideal if you’re looking for a straightforward marketplace to sell a wide variety of items, especially with the bonus of no selling fees. It’s perfect for sellers who want simplicity and broad appeal.
On the other hand, Depop is the go-to for fashion sellers who thrive on community interaction and want to tap into a global, trendy audience.
I sell on both Mercari and Depop, and they’re two of my best and favorite marketplaces.
👀 Did you know Mercari and Depop are two of the most popular and most lucrative marketplaces for Vendoo users?
Maximize Your Listings with Vendoo
In this article, we’ve explored the key differences between Mercari and Depop two of the most popular online selling marketplaces.
But why choose just one? With Vendoo’s crosslisting software, you can simultaneously leverage both platforms' benefits.
Vendoo allows you to save time, streamline your listing process, and reach a broader audience, maximizing your sales potential.
Whether you're selling on Poshmark, eBay, or any other marketplace, Vendoo makes it easy to manage all your listings from one place.
Ready to take your reselling business to the next level? Try Vendoo for free!
Do you sell on Mercari and/or Depop? Share your experience below! 👇🏼
