The Issue of 'Items Not in Possession' on Mercari and the Reality of Outsourcing | Lessons from the Mercari Shock
Good morning.
This is Mercaku♪
Selling 'items not in your possession' on flea market apps is a no-go.
Everyone is aware of this, right?
But did you know that the concept of 'items not in your possession' actually differs slightly across various platforms?
In this article, I will explain Mercari's terms of service in detail, from the 'Mercari Shock' that occurred in the past to the current state of outsourcing.
What was the Mercari Shock?
The 2016 Dropshipping Boom
Actually, around 2016, dropshipping on Mercari was explosively popular.
There were many people making money by listing items found on Amazon onto Mercari.
It was a common practice.
Unbelievably, at that time, it was an era where
you could buy a Mercari account for 900 yen each.
The Emergence of Dropshipping Schools
People started creating schools to teach how to do dropshipping, and the number of people doing dropshipping on Mercari increased rapidly.
December 2016: The 'Mercari Shock'
Due to the expansion of this dropshipping, an incident occurred in December 2016.
That is the incident known as the 'Mercari Shock'.
What happened:
A massive number of people kept increasing their listings
Mercari's servers went down
Mercari management was furious
Account bans were issued for dropshipping one after another
According to one theory,
they even hired part-timers to perform a massive number of manual bans.
Since this incident, it has become impossible to engage in dropshipping on Mercari.
The Concept of 'Items Not in Possession' by Platform
Why Dropshipping is Prohibited
This is because it falls under the prohibited items in Mercari's terms of service regarding
listing 'items not in your possession'.
Differences by Platform
In fact, the concept of 'items not in your possession' differs across each platform.
For Yahoo Auctions:
Shipping from a warehouse you manage is allowed.
If you are managing it, it is considered an 'item in your possession'.
For Mercari:
The standards are quite strict.
You must list and ship items from your registered address.
If you do not meet these criteria, it is considered an 'item not in your possession,' which carries the risk of an account ban.
Mercari's Strict Rules
On Mercari:
You must also perform the listing work yourself.
While Mercari Shops is different, standard Mercari prohibits even outsourcing the listing process.
In effect, complete outsourcing on Mercari is impossible.
Ways to Still Outsource (At Your Own Risk)
Note: The following content may violate Mercari's terms of service, so please proceed entirely at your own risk.
1. How to request someone in the same prefecture
Reason: Since Mercari only displays the shipping address up to the 'prefecture,' the risk of being caught is low if they are in the same prefecture.
Regarding listings:
Purchase a cheap smartphone
Prepare a dedicated device with the Mercari app downloaded
Never use the freelancer's personal smartphone
Important note:
Mercari operates on the principle of one account per person
Possessing multiple accounts is suspected as fraudulent activity
Always prepare a brand-new, dedicated smartphone
Ideally, only one account should be logged into one smartphone
2. How to use anonymous shipping for out-of-prefecture shipments
Procedure:
Exchange the dedicated QR code via LINE or similar platforms
Always use anonymous shipping (as seller information would otherwise be exposed)
Examples of how to handle inquiries from buyers:
'I am currently visiting my parents' home and am shipping from there'
'I am currently on a business trip out of the prefecture, so I am shipping from my destination to avoid keeping you waiting'
Reasons to consider outsourcing
Mercari is a labor-based income model
Mercari is a labor-based revenue model.
If you do not take action, your revenue will definitely decrease.
The Necessity of Time Freedom
To obtain time freedom, it becomes necessary to
'have others do it for you'.
Summary
Important Points
✅ Mercari's criteria for 'items not in possession' are extremely strict
✅ Terms of service differ by platform
✅ Do not forget the lessons of the Mercari Shock
✅ Outsourcing carries significant risks
✅ Decisions must be made entirely at your own risk
Final Decision
Outsourcing on Mercari is:
High risk of violating terms of service
Possibility of account suspension
Requires careful consideration
While generating revenue through product sales is important,
adhering to platform terms of service is the top priority.
It is important to weigh the risks and returns and make your own judgment.
Thank you for reading until the end today.