Why choose to use Mercari?

Mercari is one of Japan's most popular online flea market platforms, known for its wide variety of products and affordable prices.

Here, you can find not only daily essentials but also unexpected items—everything from high-value personal collectibles to a bunch of toilet paper rolls! If there’s a demand, chances are you’ll find it here. Additionally, the prices on Mercari are often lower than market rates, offering consumers a cost-effective shopping experience. This makes it the go-to platform for treasure hunters and those seeking rare items.

However, it’s essential to stay alert while using Mercari, as scam incidents do occur occasionally. We’ve compiled common scam cases and tips to watch out for when making purchases. Be sure to check them out before shopping to minimize potential losses. Stay tuned for a more detailed article introducing Japanese terms related to Mercari!

Watch Out for These Scam Tactics!

On Mercari, some scam tactics may not violate platform rules but can still lead to misunderstandings or frustrations. These methods often make it difficult for buyers to recover their losses. Therefore, it's essential to stay cautious during transactions, especially in the following situations:

１Images and Product Descriptions Do Not Match

Sometimes, the product images may display multiple items, but the description specifies that the seller is only selling one of them. Buyers might mistakenly believe they will receive all the items shown in the image, but in reality, they will only receive a single item.

Example: 

The image shows six plush toys, but only one of them will actually be sent.

新品うさぎマスコット

こちらは下段真ん中のうさぎ1点のみの値段です。（◯をつけたもの）

まとめ売りではない。

単品です。

Translation:

Brand-new Rabbit Plush Toy

This is the price for the single rabbit in the bottom center.
(The one marked with a circle)

It is not a set.
This is for a single item.

Vocabulary:

新品: Brand-new
◯をつけたもの: The one marked with a circle
1点/1こ/1個のみ: Single item only
まとめ売り: Bulk sale
単品: Single item

２Misleading English/Chinese Promotional Texts That Differ from the Japanese Description

Some sellers use eye-catching promotional phrases in English or Chinese, such as "Special Price!" or "Limited Offer!" to attract international buyers. However, when you carefully read the Japanese description, you'll find that important details, particularly regarding the product, have not been translated. For example, the actual item for sale may not be the same as all the products shown in the image, leading to misunderstandings and incorrect purchases by international buyers who do not understand Japanese.

Example: 

The product description may say "Special Price! First come, first served!" in English or Chinese, but the Japanese part clearly states, "こちらは◯がついているもの一点の出品です" (This listing is for the single item marked with a ◯ in the image, meaning only one of the items shown is for sale).

Special Price! First come, first served!

特價！先到先得！特价！先到先得！

中古のうさぎマスコットです。

目立った傷や汚れなし。

こちらは◯がついているもの一点のみの出品です。

Translation:
A second-hand rabbit plush toy.
No noticeable scratches or stains.
This listing is for the one marked with a ◯, and only this single item is for sale.

 Vocabulary:

中古: Second-hand
目立った傷や汚れなし: No noticeable scratches or stains
一点のみの出品: Only this one item is for sale

３

Selling only the packaging while showing photos of the product

Some sellers may display product images but hide a note in the description saying things like "箱のみ" (only the box) or "写真のみ" (only the photo). As a result, the seller is actually selling not the product itself, but just the packaging or the photo of the product. This can easily mislead buyers into thinking they will receive the actual product, only to end up with just the packaging or a photo. Since this information is technically included in the description, it doesn't violate Mercari's rules, and the seller will not be penalized.

For example: 

After paying a high price, the buyer only receives a product's packaging box or a photo, rather than the actual item.

新品、未使用のうさぎマスコットです。

10個セットになります。......

こちらはセットの箱のみの出品です。

Translation:

This is a brand-new, unused rabbit mascot.

This is a product from a set of 10 items.

This listing is for the box of the set only.

Vocabulary:

未使用: Unused / Brand-new
箱のみ／ハコのみ／はこのみ: Selling only the box of the set
※箱／ハコ／はこ: All refer to "the box"

In addition to the above, there are also some clearly problematic situations on Mercari that require special attention, such as:

• Product images are only from online shopping platforms, and the condition of the product cannot be verified: Some sellers may use images directly from online shopping platforms as product photos, rather than actual pictures of the item they are selling. This makes it impossible for buyers to verify the actual condition of the product, leading to the purchase of an item that does not meet their expectations
• Counterfeit brand products: Although the seller may claim in the description that the item is authentic, it could actually be a counterfeit. Therefore, it's important to be cautious to avoid potential loss.

There are also situations where it is simply the seller's unintentional mistake!

Since most sellers on Mercari are individual sellers, it is also possible that some issues arise from personal mistakes rather than fraud. For example, due to photography problems, the color differences of the product may not be fully represented, resulting in the item arriving in a color different from what was expected. Alternatively, the product description may not be detailed enough, leading to misunderstandings. 

To avoid these situations, it is recommended that you check the following precautions before making a purchase on Mercari, ensuring a smooth and worry-free shopping experience!

Precautions When Using Mercari

The following is for reference; it is the product page currently being sold on Mercari:

• Product Description (商品の説明): Please check if there is any suspicious content in the product description, such as "only selling the box or photo of the item," to avoid purchasing something that is not the actual product.
• Price (金額): Be cautious if the price seems too low, as it might indicate an unreasonable or misleading offer.
• Product Condition (商品の状態): Ensure that the product page includes clear photos of the actual item, not just generic online images or blurry pictures.
• Shipping (配送料の負担): Confirm who is responsible for the shipping costs and check the total amount to ensure the final price meets your expectations.
• Seller Rating (出品者評価) and Seller Badge (出品者バッジ): A seller with high ratings and a seller badge usually indicates a more reliable seller, which reduces the risk of a problematic transaction.

As long as you stay alert, Mercari is a convenient and fun online flea market platform waiting for you to explore. So don't worry too much—just carefully check the points mentioned above before making a transaction!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to BEX Market. We're here to assist you!