If you’re a fashionista who constantly finds themselves craving new additions to their wardrobe, you’re not alone. But what about all the clothes you no longer wear?
That’s where Poshmark, Mercari, and ThredUP come in. These online resale platforms offer you the opportunity to sell your gently used items and make money while making space for new treasures.
In this post, we’ll explore each platform’s unique features, benefits, and all their differences.
Poshmark Vs Mercari Vs Thredup: Differences At A Glance
Before we dig deeper, here’s a quick look at what you can get with each platform.
| Factors | Poshmark | Mercari | ThredUP |
| Product Catalog | Diverse, Trendy | Broad, Varied | Curated, Secondhand |
| User Base Size | Broad, Specific. | Highest Users, Less Specific. | Smaller Than Other Two, Specific. |
| Pricing and Fee Structure | Flat Fee, Percentage-based | Lower Flat Percentage Fee, Extra Charges | Consignment Model |
| Support and Resources | Extensive, Comprehensive | Basic Support | Seller Benefits |
| Prohibitions | Strict Guidelines But Still Decent Flexibility | Most Flexible Guidelines | Highest Restrictions |
| Seller Competition | Competitive, Higher Exposure | Competitive | Less Direct Competition |
The Similarities of Poshmark, Mercari, and ThredUP
You should also know how these platforms are similar, in case you want to try cross listing on them after reading this post.
- All three platforms allow individuals to sell their pre-loved products online.
- They provide mobile apps for convenient selling and browsing on the go.
- Sellers have the opportunity to reach a large audience of potential buyers.
- All of these platforms are fashion-oriented.
- They offer secure payment options for transactions.
- Each platform has measures in place to protect sellers and buyers.
Poshmark Vs Mercari Vs Thredup: A Full-On Analysis
Now, let’s get into the thick of it, shall we?
Product Specialty
Winner: Poshmark.
Poshmark is a vibrant and bustling marketplace that caters specifically to fashion enthusiasts. It’s the perfect platform for selling your stylish clothes, shoes, and accessories, as it attracts a dedicated community of fashion-forward buyers.
On the other hand, Mercari offers a broader product catalog that includes not only clothing but also electronics and home goods.
ThredUP, as a consignment platform, curates a selection of secondhand fashion items, providing a more limited but carefully chosen catalog.
Since you’re looking to sell clothes and want to tap into a fashion-savvy audience, Poshmark is your best bet.
Prohibitions
Winner: Mercari.
Poshmark has clear guidelines and restrictions on prohibited items, ensuring that only suitable and permissible products are sold on the platform. They have a comprehensive list of prohibited items that sellers need to adhere to.
Mercari also has guidelines in place, although they are generally less strict compared to Poshmark.
ThredUP has a curated model that focuses specifically on high-quality secondhand fashion items, so they have more specific criteria for what they accept. Among all three, you need to be aware of this one’s restrictions the most – they won’t even accept Jewelry.
When it comes to prohibitions, Poshmark and ThredUP have more stringent policies, while Mercari offers a lot more flexibility.
Ease Of Use
Winner: Poshmark, Mercari.
Poshmark’s website boasts a sleek and luxurious design, reflecting its focus on fashion. However, the app experience may vary across platforms.
Mercari, on the other hand, excels in providing a consistent and user-friendly app experience on both iOS and Android. It’s website could use some work, though.
ThredUP’s app and site are visually appealing but can occasionally have minor performance issues.
Among all three, the Mercari app has the highest ratings (Over 460k+), with ThredUP being the lowest (at 65.9k) – though that’s mostly because of how new the app is, rather than because of any issues.
Market Reach and Target Audience
Winner: Tie between Poshmark and Mercari. Depends on your products.
Poshmark boasts a large and active user base, specifically interested in secondhand fashion. This makes it an excellent choice for reaching a targeted audience of fashion enthusiasts who actively seek unique clothing items.
Mercari, with its broader product categories, provides access to a wider audience interested in various items, including clothing.
ThredUP attracts buyers looking for curated, pre-owned fashion items, offering a smaller but more specific audience.
Normally, Mercari would win here, as its more diverse selection means more buyers checking it out.
However, if you want to reach a large and dedicated fashion resale audience, Poshmark is the platform that’ll work out the best for you.
Community And Social Aspect
Winner: Poshmark.
Speaking of user base, let’s talk about the social aspect of each platform, which gives you an opportunity to engage with users and make a splash on the market, putting your name out there.
Poshmark is the best in this regard, allowing sellers and buyers to interact, follow each other, and engage in community activities. It offers features like sharing listings, participating in Posh Parties, and following other users’ closets. This social engagement fosters a sense of community and can enhance the visibility of your listings.
Mercari, on the other hand, is more transaction-focused, with less emphasis on social interactions.
ThredUP has a community aspect to its platform as well, but it’s more centered around sharing the love for sustainable fashion and less focused on direct interactions between users.
If you value a strong social aspect and enjoy building connections within the selling community, Poshmark offers the most robust social features.
Design and Templates
Winner: Poshmark, Mercari.
Poshmark allows sellers to create visually appealing listings with personalized descriptions and photos, giving them the freedom to showcase their clothes creatively.
Mercari offers template options to enhance the visual appeal of listings, simplifying the listing process and helping sellers create eye-catching presentations.
ThredUP provides professional photos and descriptions for items, ensuring a polished and consistent look without requiring sellers to invest much effort in design.
If you value customization and control over the design of your clothing listings, Poshmark and Mercari provide more flexibility, while ThredUP focuses on providing a consistent and curated experience for buyers.
Pricing and Fee Structure
Winner: Mercari.
Poshmark and Mercari have similar pricing and fee structures, charging a commission on each sale.
Poshmark applies a low flat fee for sales under $15, but it gets more expensive for higher priced sales, which is likely what you’ll face since good clothes are supposed to sell well. The fee is 20% for anything you sell above the $15 mark.
Mercari utilizes a straightforward flat percentage fee. It usually only takes 10% of most items, with slight charges. Both platforms offer seller protection measures and ensure a secure transaction process.
The most cost effective option is Mercari, needing only a 10% flat fee from most sales, with slight extra charges.
However, things might be different based on your business model or products.
Poshmark, for one, would be a cheaper option if you’re trying to let go of less well-designed clothes for people with very select tastes.
If you’ve got a decent budget though, and don’t want to bother with handling too many transactions, you can rely on ThredUP – it operates on a consignment model, handling pricing and taking a commission on each sale.
Support and Resources
Winner: Poshmark.
Poshmark offers extensive support and resources to sellers, including tutorials, webinars, and an active community forum.
The platform empowers sellers with valuable guidance and assistance, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge to succeed.
Mercari also provides seller support through their Help Center and customer service channels, although it may not offer the same level of comprehensive resources as Poshmark.
ThredUP provides seller benefits such as professional photography and descriptions, as well as a seller dashboard for tracking sales.
Poshmark solidly wins in this factor, because of its community. You’ll be able to get more than technical advice from the platform – with everyone being fashion enthusiasts, you can get help on knowing which items of yours will sell the best.
Seller Competition
Winner: ThredUP.
Both Poshmark and Mercari have a significant number of sellers, resulting in competition within the marketplace.
ThredUP’s consignment model may result in less direct competition among sellers. If you prefer a platform with less direct competition, ThredUP may be a suitable choice.
However, it’s worth considering that a higher number of sellers also indicates a larger pool of potential buyers actively seeking clothing and other items.
Poshmark Vs Mercari Vs Thredup: Pros And Cons
Now, let’s sum up the pros and cons to top everything off.
Benefits Of Poshmark
- Dedicated platform for fashion and accessories.
- Social networking features for connecting with buyers and sellers.
- Ability to set your own prices and negotiate with buyers.
- Targeted audience of fashion enthusiasts.
Drawbacks Of Poshmark
- High seller fees (20% for sales $15 and above).
- Limited to fashion and accessories, not suitable for other product categories.
- Can be time-consuming to create listings and manage interactions.
Benefits Of Mercari
- Wide range of product categories, including fashion, electronics, home goods, and more.
- Simple listing process and user-friendly interface.
- Lower seller fees (10% of the sale price).
- Quick and easy shipping options available.
Drawbacks Of Mercari
- Less focused on fashion compared to Poshmark.
- May require more effort to gain visibility among a large number of listings.
- Limited seller protection and dispute resolution process.
Benefits Of ThredUP
- Specialized in secondhand clothing and accessories.
- Easy and convenient process for selling items.
- Option to donate unsold items to charity.
- Established platform with a large customer base.
Drawbacks Of ThredUP
- Very selective in the items they accept, leading to potential rejection of common items.
- Lower payout rates compared to other platforms.
- Limited control over pricing and sales process.
FAQs
What is mostly sold on Mercari, Poshmark, and ThredUP?
Mercari and Poshmark mainly focus on fashion and accessories, while ThredUP specializes in secondhand clothing and accessories.
Do people make a living off Mercari, Poshmark, and ThredUP?
Yes, some people can make a living by selling on Mercari, Poshmark, and ThredUP. However, success and profitability depend on various factors, including product selection, pricing, marketing efforts, and overall sales volume.
Who pays more, Mercari or Poshmark or ThredUP?
Mercari does, unless you’re selling basic clothes, in which case the other two might be better.
Final Thoughts
Remember, your platform choice is just the beginning. What matters most is your passion, dedication, and the value you offer customers.
Embrace the excitement of connecting with like-minded individuals and building your brand. Learn, experiment, and adapt to refine your selling strategies. View setbacks as opportunities for growth.
Enjoy the process, cherish connections, and make a positive impact through your products.
Stay genuine, true to your vision, and provide exceptional customer experiences. With these steps, you’ll have the chance to turn decluttering into big bucks by selling your awesome older clothes that no longer fit.
Happy selling!
