Oof, I've been gone a minute and a half. I can not deter myself from always going on an educational expendenture. So, I figured I'd come back from the grave to help others going through the motions, and save them some time and money. I work a lot with small side business gigs, while learning how to run my own in the process. Every step I take for someone else's business I learn how to apply it on my end. It's really long and analytical and I can see where people can give up and just not continue the process.
Anyway! Here's some insight on one of my most recent experiences. Mercari ... I marked down, far too soon, I fell for the automated promotions way too early. A like or view lit me up to just make it move. don't do that. Compare what that exact thing already sold for by searching it up in the app. Listen to the suggested price when you're listing, but remember what that price looks like when shipping comes in... For both parties. think like a store, is it the 1st or 3rd of the month? Is it Wednesday night and people are waking up to paychecks? Resist the urge to markdown too soon,too quick,when pressured.... Now, pick two backdrops and stick to them, pay attention to contrasts. Put your light colors on the chosen dark background and your dark colors on the chosen bright.
Now, Stick to these two chosen colors! don't have anything else but the product and the backdrop. Before I forget, get fully verified and buy something! You'll get your 5 stars on your profile in no time!
Take the photos, put it somewhere safe. Maybe even package it ahead of time and put a masking tape label on it and throw it in a tote with the rest.
Something Sold:
Okay, 3 days pass and something sold. now that you've gotten to this point you've learned you pay for shipping or they pay for shipping. Mercari isn't really the place you find free shipping, and with good reason! You need to put a lot of work into knowing the right numbers and if its even worth shipping it. You'd need to add that price into your selling price and then it looks like you're asking way too much. I highly reccomend when first starting out opting to use Mercari provided shipping. Now that you've decided "I just want access to the label immediately, not even have to print it, just walk up and scan the code and leave, all the while avoiding not having funds available to ship in time" You'll find the USPS Ground Advantage has it's disadvantages, one of which includes you need your own box or to buy one. So, you still aren't completely out of paying upfront cost. By the way it can take over 6 days to get your funds- you have 3 days to ship it out, you need to wait for it to be received, and then up to an other 3 days for customer to accept and rate the product you sent. There's a $3 instant funds transaction fee or a $2 Direct Deposit Fee with up to 5 buisness day wait to choose from, and then of course, Mercari Credits are the only "free" way to cash out. Trying to save it up to cash out all at once is the most profitable answer here. Find the strength to not cash out after every sale.
Back to shipping.
Now, I've run into all the odd road blocks, not having a smaller box, the used box has too many distracting labels , printer needs ink or repair, car is in the shop, so I end up needing to take a bus. You know all the things that make you go "wtf, why is this so hard?" I've went through it. I love helping others just jump over these obsticles and protecting them from the same anguish. I've found the solutions to many shipping woes at rock bottom prices so you don't have to find them yourself.
Overall, the biggest reason to have these things- is to lower shipping prices for you, and your customers. Knowing weight before listing is so very useful and avoids having to pay the difference because you underestimated something. If you over estimate, no one wants to buy it because shipping cost got in the way. That's worth the $10 investment!
I've created a quick shopping list so you can set up in no time with no barriers- just smooth sailing from here!
BE PREPARED: Have These on Hand to Avoid multiple stops on the way to the post office.
Okay, so easy peasy you got your QR code to bring to the USPS desk, but there's no free boxes or supplies available for this kind of label, damn... Avoid this in the long term by having an available supply on hand, especially since- orders come in at all strange unexpected times, sometimes an entire year later. Don't get stuck off guard.
Buy Bulk Shipping Bags- so much cheaper and easier to store, than boxes. I recommend oversized bags, sealing the bag with product tucked into th furthest corner,then rolling it around the product for some cushion and taping the edge shut. place that bag inside of the other bag and fold it to the smallest dimensions possibe while leaving complete room for the label to fit.
Bubble Wrap- Obviously you want this for New in Box items or anything that isn't some kind of squishy cloth/fabric.
A few Boxes- to put in the bags when absolutely necessary. So size them accordingly.
Box Label Cover ups- For reused boxes and avoiding misdirected packages
Tape- Obviously you want this to help tape your polybag mailers to be smaller and save on cost.
Scale- drop your item into a reusable shopping bag and weight it with a hanging scale. Add 1 to 2 oz on to make sure you left room for packaging weight, or weight it at the end of packaging and use that, but typically you're telling Mercari the weight before sale is made and you're not going to have it ready. a way to be proactive in this way is pack everything to go as it's being listed and label the packages, have a dedicated tote/shelf which you can then later take the well protected and stored already product and add multiple to one shipping bag. Don't we always hope people are going to buy more than one from our shop? Now, youve invested about $10 in a scale but saved so much guess work.
QR Coded Buisness Cards- Drop these in with your product so they can easily get back to your store!
Clean up items with Magic Erasers, Destink With OdoBan, Delint with Rollers,Take out the wrinkles. Oh, and don't forget to wash keep colors from fading other clothes with these!
KEEP LISTING
KEEP THE CONSISTANT BACKGROUNDS
ALWAYS BE ON THE LOOK OUT
JUST KEEP BUILDING IN SIZE EVEN WHEN NOTHING HAS SOLD!
THE MORE INVENTORY BUILT UP THE BETTER!
ALWAYS HAVE PACKAGING ON HAND!
That's all for now! I'll continue adding information as it occurs to me! I hope I've helped you save money and invest in your future with Selling on Mercari!
To disclose, I make maybe 60 cents off of a $60 amazon purchase, true story, it's that little. I'm not making a killing off of you through my links. If you're a new Mercari user you get $10 credit using my link and after you buy something I get $10. If you sell something, I get up to $20 for your first sale. No where in either of these processes do you pay more , so I get paid. You will be paying the regular listed prices.
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