Mercari is a website for buying and selling second-hand items that bring together thousands of users from the United States and Japan. But if what you want is to compare the best prices and have access to more items to equip your home, we show you eight websites similar to Mercari that may interest you.
VarageSale
VarageSale is a website with a mobile app where users can buy and sell second-hand items at competitive prices. The idea of the creator of varagesale.com came from the need to facilitate purchases and sales that are made on platforms such as Facebook, with a more user-friendly design and within a secure platform for users.
This sales site is characterized by creating categorized boards for its users, both buyers and sellers. This way, you can find what you are looking for quickly. In fact, the first thing you notice when you enter the site is a search engine where you can type the keyword of the item you need. Then, indicate where you want to find it and click on “Search.”
VarageSale is available in most cities in the United States, Canada, and some locations in Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. So users who want to register on this site must be from these countries. To find out which communities are available in your city, go to varagesale.com/communities.
Pros
- Competitive prices and discounts.
- Large product catalog.
- Low or no commissions.
- Available on Google Play and App Store.
- Simple and intuitive design.
- Provides a suitable work environment for customer service workers.
Cons
- Little information on costs and fees.
- No refund policy.
Carousell
Carousell is a website originating from Singapore aimed at buying and selling new and second-hand items. It features a service provider section where businesses and individuals can offer their services in plumbing, electrical, technology, mechanical, home, home, upholstery, locksmith, refrigeration, cleaning, and more.
Carousell operates as an open platform for consumer-to-consumer (C2C) and business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions. Each user has a review section where the potential buyer or seller can verify the trustworthiness of that person or company.
It has Carousell Protection, a secure payment service on the platform that aims to ensure secure user transactions. With this service, the platform holds the buyer’s payment securely until the delivery of the item or the provision of the service is confirmed.
Carousell.sg was founded in 2012 in Singapore and has expanded to other countries and regions: Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Philippines, Australia, and Macau.
Pros
- Carousell has a simple website with verified users.
- Wide variety of products and services.
- Rating system to assess the trustworthiness of a profile.
- Offers security to users through the Carousell Protection service.
- Available on Google Play and App Store.
Cons
- As in similar platforms, Carousell is used by scammers, so the platform offers tips to avoid scams both when buying and selling.
- Payment methods are limited to the availability of the seller or service provider.
PLNDR
PLNDR is an apparel retailer that sells products and services through its website, plndr.com. It is known for offering coupons and discounts to its customers and attractive offers for new users.
Unlike Mercari and other sites on this list, PLNDR specializes in the ladies and men’s fashion area and does not have categories for other items. This company has an app available only to members of flash sale site Karmaloop, which aggregates the best in streetwear and cutting-edge brands.
By signing up as a PLNDR associate, you can earn commissions of up to 6% on sales made. This platform is part of the Linkshare affiliate network, which brings together thousands of partners from several countries. For users who use this tool to earn money, the company provides a wide variety of banners, product links, logos, text links, videos,s and more. The designs are in various shapes and colors for users to adapt to their websites or social media channels.
Pros
- Valid SSL digital certificate, so it is a legitimate website.
- Up to 80% off on select brands and seasonal clothing.
- Available for iOS and Android in the app stores.
- Referral program.
- Shipping to more than 200 countries.
Cons
- Multiple negative reviews.
- Unoptimized website.
- Unattractive design.
Vestiaire Collective
Vestiaire Collective is another of the web platform for buying new and second-hand items that bring together significant brands in the fashion area. Like PLNDR, it specializes in women’s and men’s clothing, but you can also find accessories, handbags, shoes, watches, jewelry, and other items related to the fashion world.
On this website, you will find clothing from designers such as Maggie Sottero, Vera Wang, David’s Bridal, Mori Lee, J. Crew, Casablanca, and more. It also has a wedding department where you can shop for bridal and bridesmaid dresses, veils, bridal jewelry and accessories, wedding gifts, and more.
On Vestiaire Collective, users can sell secondhand clothing and accessories directly from their closets as long as they meet the company’s specifications. The commission per sale is $7.50 for items under $50, while for sales of items over $50, the commission is 19.8% of the price. Proceeds can be withdrawn using PayPal, debit card, or ACH transfer.
Pros
- High-end brand-name apparel and accessories sales site.
- Free kit with every sale (except for wedding items).
- Money-back refund policy if an item is not authentic.
- Processes return and pay for shipping.
Cons
- Uncompetitive pricing.
- Only specializes in clothing and accessories.
- High commission compared to other sites.
Thredup
We continue with the websites to buy high-quality second-hand clothes and accessories. Thredup.com is a site where you can buy designer clothing and accessories at meager prices. Get discounts on Free People, Zara, Lululemon, J. Crew, Lilly Pulitzen, Gucci, and more. It was created in 2009 by James Reinhart.
Items sold at Thredup undergo a 12-point inspection, as the company is committed to quality and authenticity of the merchandise. Their mission is to encourage the purchase of quality second-hand clothing as a way to lessen the environmental impact of producing new items and to allow users to enjoy their favorite brands for little money. Its policy is circular fashion, in which the resale of items with little use can replace the consumption of disposable fashion.
Thredup has also been involved in several projects to encourage the use of second-hand clothing. For example, in partnership with designer Zero Waste Daniel, it has created a recycled collection made entirely from second-hand clothing and fabric scraps. Also, together with actress and activist Olivia Wilde, she has launched a line of T-shirts with messages aimed at eliminating the stigma of secondhand clothing.
Pros
- Available on Google Play and App Store.
- Excellent discounts on well-known brands.
- Friendly and easy-to-get Refund Policy.
- Quality guarantee on published products.
- Items not up to par to be sold are donated or recycled.
Cons
- Not all brands are accepted.
5miles
Another site that resembles Mercari in the United States is 5miles.com, the platform for buying and selling used cars, furniture, and miscellaneous items. Like Carousell, on the 5miles site, you can not only buy new and used items but also hire services, purchase products at garage sales, and more. This website was created in 2014, in Dalla, by Liang Lu and Rick Cantu.
On this platform, the seller can post his item or service under a specific category and place a price on it. If he sets the price to $0, 5miles will automatically publish it in the Free and donations section.
The main objective of this platform is to facilitate transactions between buyers and sellers who are in the same community. That is why when searching for any item or service, the first options will be those of the closest sellers.
Selling on 5miles is free, but with the “Boost” feature, you can give your product more visibility for a small fee. Triple Exposure gives you three days maximum exposure of your product or service for $4.99 and $7.99 for seven days. While the click-to-call feature, which allows buyers to call the seller directly, costs $1.99 for 14 days and $2.99 for 30 days.
Pros
- Secure online payment.
- Items in the Free and Donations categories are available.
- Available on Google Play and App Store.
- Very intuitive and easy-to-use website.
- Referral program.
Cons
- Users from small locations have less opportunity to sell through this platform.
- Uncompetitive pricing.
Shpock
Shpock is a platform for buying and selling new and used items that allow users to post and sell their products for free. It is a classifieds marketplace that brings together millions of buyers and sellers from all major cities in the UK.
Shpock has various categories, including electronics and technology, home, fashion, sporting goods, furniture and home, baby and children’s clothing and items, automobiles, property, and much more.
You can also hire services such as decorating, domestic help and cleaning, removals, plumbing, electrical, locksmith, painting, pest removal, car rental, tree and hedge trimming, waste removal, and more.
On this platform, we also have a feature to drive sales. By paying for the Premium membership, which costs $16.68 for 12 months, your items and services will appear among the top choices for buyers. However, if your item has little or no offer, you may not need to pay for privileged exposure.
Pros
- Selling is free, although you can increase your product exposure by paying a fee.
- Premium plan with no ads.
- Up to 10 photos per item.
- Mobile app in iOS and Android stores.
Cons
- Complaints regarding customer service.
- Used by many scammers.
- No BBB rating.
eBay
We finish this list with one of the most popular online stores in the United States, eBay. This site concentrates a large amount of new and used items and is one of the oldest marketplaces on the Internet. It offers the flexibility that you can buy an item directly at the marked price, or you can bid a lower price with the seller.
You can also automatically participate in auctions by indicating the maximum price you are willing to pay for an item. In this case, eBay does the work of bidding for you, offering convenience to users.
Due to the wide variety of categories on eBay, the site has filtering features that allow you to find what you are looking for quickly.
Pros
- It offers a significant online presence for sellers.
- Enjoys an excellent reputation and the trust of millions of users.
- Wide range of new and used products.
- Option to apply for rebates or participate in auctions.
Cons
- The low-profit margin on high-supply products.
- Lengthy cancellation or return processes.
- High commissions on some items.
To Sum Up
The listed platforms have pros and cons that you should evaluate before using them to buy or sell. Remember that some may not be available in your country of residence, so we recommend you first visit local sites that sell second-hand clothing and items and have a good reputation. This way, you can save money on purchases or sell what you no longer use.