Mercari review

Mercari is a good second marketplace to check after eBay, and its rules are written clearly enough to plan around. Its Buyer Protection page says a fee of 3.6% is applied to the item price and buyer-paid shipping, and you have 72 hours after confirmed delivery to report an item that is not as described. If your claim is approved, Mercari provides a free return label, and the item must be shipped back within 3 days. The refunds and returns policy lists three eligible reasons: the item is significantly not as described, was damaged in shipping, or is inauthentic or counterfeit, which matters for reproduction cartridges sold as originals. Refunds are processed within 14 calendar days after the item is returned. The short window is the catch: test a console or cartridge the day it arrives, and do not rate the seller until you have. We compared documented policies only.

Who it is for

Bargain hunters comfortable inspecting an item quickly and reporting problems within 72 hours.

Price

Free to shop; a 3.6% Buyer Protection fee is added to the item price and buyer-paid shipping.

When you buy on Mercari, a Buyer Protection fee of 3.6% is applied to the item price and buyer-paid shipping.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Buyer Protection on every purchase for a 3.6% fee
• 72 hours after confirmed delivery to report an item not as described
• Free return label when a claim is approved
• Returns accepted for items damaged in shipping or inauthentic
• Refund processed within 14 calendar days after the return ships

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Inauthentic or counterfeit items are an eligible return reason
• Strength: Free return label on approved claims
• Strength: Large secondhand marketplace with a Gaming category
• Weakness: Only 72 hours to inspect and report a problem
• Weakness: 3.6% fee on top of the item and shipping
• Weakness: Change of mind returns are up to the seller

Key facts

• Buyer Protection fee: 3.6% of item price and buyer-paid shipping
• Report window: 72 hours after confirmed delivery
• Return shipping: Free label on approved claims
• Eligible reasons: Not as described, damaged, inauthentic
• Refund timing: Within 14 calendar days of the return

Where it ranks

Mercari is No. 4 in our Best Places to Buy Retro Games verdict.