My experience selling on Mercari

I had a really great Saturday. That’s why I am late on the blog. Follow me on Instagram to know what I am up to daily.
Back to the topic of the blog. It’s about selling on Mercari. if you don’t know Mercari then here’s a short description. It’s a second-hand online marketplace that is really popular in Japan. It’s so popular that it has its own Mercari pay system and also easy methods to send parcels anonymously to buyers through Japan Post or Yamato Transport service.
I have been using Mercari regularly for the past year to sell some of the electronics when I am planning to upgrade them. I have also purchased a few good products from Mercari too. If you haven’t bought second hand in Japan then take my suggestion and please do. Most of the second-hand products in Japan are in great condition and they have a good price reduction because they are used. But in spite of being used the condition is as good as new. I have brought drones and cameras from the site and except for the faulty film camera I got, my experience has been positive. I have also had a good time selling my stuff.
Before I talk about today’s bizarre experience let me share some tips about selling on Mercari:
1. Take good pictures. Make sure the buyer can clearly see what they are buying. Your pictures will help the product stand out because most buyers don’t take great pictures of their products. So make sure the pictures are appealing.
2. Do some research on similar items being sold on the marketplace. Look at the items already sold and also try to read comments and see what price people are looking for. According to that setting, your price gives you an easier chance to sell.
3. Remember to follow the rules and always confirm your purchase or sell. Don’t forget to follow the steps because if you get a bad rating it’s hard to sell again.

Since that’s done. Let’s get back to today’s story. Last week I put up my DJI Pocket 2 on Mercari because I am planning on switching to something else. I loved using the camera but it stopped being useful for my use-case. So I took great pictures and put them up on Mercari. But as I was taking pictures I realized I lost the wireless mic that came in the creator combo bundle. I panicked. I looked everywhere. Wasted a whole morning. But couldn’t find it. So I had to put it up at a reduced price but I did mention it in my description.
I got a few comments the last few days and a lot of them were trying to negotiate the price. But I wasn’t in a rush to sell it. I was going to be patient with this one. I reduced the price by ¥500 and waited for anyone to take my offer.
In the evening while I was making my way to Toyohashi station I get a notification on Mercari that someone had bought my camera. It honestly made my day because I was excited to get the other gear. I quickly started to search on Mercari for the other camera I wanted. I got a camera at a good price and I was ready to buy it as soon as I get this transaction done. I happily get off the train and start running through my errands.
But then I get another notification. The buyer messages me that he didn't notice the wireless mic situation. He didn’t read it while purchasing. Now he wants to cancel the order. That made me a bit mad and all my excitement about the other gear went away. I tried to tell him that he can get the mic separately. I even sent him a link for it. But after going back and forth he finally said, let’s do one thing. Reduce the price a bit so that I can use the money to buy the mic. But I wasn’t ready to change the price because I wanted to give it another shot and look for the mic.
I finish my errands and the first thing I do is look for the mic. I search everywhere I searched before once again but then I think about searching the bag I take to work. I didn’t search it properly last time. But something was telling me that it might be there. I give it another look. it’s not there. But I keep on searching and finally at the bottom of the bag, there’s the small mic. I FOUND IT!
The ball is in my court. I message the buyer, I found the mic. We can go through with the transaction but I will increase the price now because the mic adds to the price. I wasn’t expecting him to agree to the new price, I was waiting for him to bargain. But he didn’t. He accepted the price and the camera is sold!
What a way to end the day. I just finished packing the parcel to send tomorrow. I hope he receives it soon so that I can order the other piece of gear I have been waiting for.