How to Get 500 Points by Signing Up for Mercari with an Invitation Code

When you create a new Mercari account and enter an invitation code, both the referrer and the new user receive bonus points. The reward is 500 points (worth 500 yen), which can be used for purchases on the Mercari platform.

The invitation code can only be entered once during registration. It cannot be added after account creation, so make sure to have the code ready before signing up. Search "精力剤" on Amazon

• Step 1: Download the Mercari app and tap "Sign Up"
• Step 2: Register using your email or a third-party account
• Step 3: Enter the invitation code in the "Invitation Code" field on the registration form
• Step 4: Complete phone number verification, and the points will be credited immediately

Points are credited as soon as registration is complete. In some cases, points have an expiration date, so it is best to use them promptly.

Mercari is a peer-to-peer marketplace, so product condition and service quality vary by seller. Keeping a few tips in mind will make your first purchase smoother.

First, examine every detail in the product photos. For secondhand items, flaws and stains can only be judged from photos. Even if the description says "no noticeable damage," standards differ between sellers and buyers. If anything is unclear, ask the seller through the comments section before purchasing.

Second, check the seller's ratings. Sellers with many transactions and high positive ratings are more trustworthy. Conversely, sellers with very few ratings or multiple negative reviews warrant caution.

Ratings are categorized as "Good," "Normal," and "Bad," and both parties rate each other after a transaction. Pay close attention to the content of "Bad" ratings, which typically detail specific issues such as delayed shipping, items not matching the description, or poor packaging.

That said, new sellers with only 1-2 ratings are not necessarily risky. Everyone starts with zero reputation. If the product description is thorough and the seller responds to questions promptly, transactions with new sellers can go perfectly smoothly.

Mercari is not just for buying - you can also sell unused items. Clothes, books, electronics, and games sitting around your home can often fetch surprisingly good prices.

Items that sell well share certain characteristics. First, take photos in natural light, showing both the full item and close-up details. Upload at least 4 photos covering front, back, side, and detail views. Use a clean white or wood-grain background rather than a cluttered living space.

Listing timing also affects sales. Peak browsing hours are 20:00-22:00. Listing during this window places your item near the top of the latest listings where more users will see it.

For pricing, referencing the sold prices of similar items is the standard approach. Pricing too high leads to stagnation, while pricing too low means lost profit. Accounting for frequent price negotiation requests, set your price at 110%-115% of your target selling price. For example, if you want to sell for 1,000 yen, list at 1,100-1,150 yen so you can accept a negotiation and still hit your target.

In the product description, specifically state the brand name, size, color, duration of use, and condition. Factual descriptions like "worn 3 times, no visible stains" build more trust than vague phrases like "excellent condition" or "almost new."

If an item does not sell within 24 hours, consider relisting it. Mercari sorts by newest listing time, so older items get buried. Relisting moves the item back to the top of the latest listings, resetting view counts and increasing visibility to new buyers.

An often-overlooked aspect of selling on Mercari is the actual profit after deducting fees and shipping costs. The sales commission is a flat 10% of the transaction price. For example, an item sold for 1,000 yen incurs a 100-yen commission. Your take-home profit is what remains after also deducting shipping costs.

The profit formula for seller-paid shipping is: "Sale price - Sales commission (10%) - Shipping cost = Profit." For example, a 1,000-yen item shipped via Nekopos (210 yen) has 100 yen commission + 210 yen shipping = 310 yen deducted, leaving 690 yen profit. Using Yu-Packet (230 yen) reduces profit to 670 yen.

Understanding the break-even point is also important. You lose money when shipping + commission exceeds the sale price. With Nekopos shipping, you need to price at least 300 yen to make a profit (30 yen commission + 210 yen shipping = 240 yen). With Takkyubin Compact, shipping is 450 yen + 70 yen for the dedicated box = 520 yen plus commission, requiring a minimum price of around 700 yen.

Withdrawals also incur fees. Bank transfer fees are 200 yen per transaction. Rather than withdrawing frequently, accumulate a larger balance before transferring, or spend the balance directly on Mercari purchases to avoid the fee entirely.

On Mercari, items listed with "free shipping (seller pays)" sell significantly better. Buyers can see the total cost upfront, lowering the barrier to purchase.

The best shipping method depends on the item's size and weight. Here are the main options and their costs:

• Nekopos: A4 size, up to 3 cm thick, up to 1 kg. Shipping: 210 yen. Ideal for thin clothing, books, and phone cases
• Yu-Packet: Total dimensions up to 60 cm, up to 3 cm thick, up to 1 kg. Shipping: 230 yen. For wider items that do not fit Nekopos
• Takkyubin Compact: Dedicated box (70 yen) + 450 yen shipping = 520 yen total. For thicker small items, cosmetics, and accessories
• Yu-Pack: Starting at 770 yen for size 60. For larger items like appliances, shoes, and bags. Cost increases with size

"Raku-Raku Mercari Bin" and "Yu-Yu Mercari Bin" support anonymous shipping, allowing transactions without revealing personal information. They can be dropped off at convenience stores or post offices, making them highly convenient.

Mercari is a convenient platform for buying and selling secondhand items, but there are some drawbacks to be aware of before using it.

The 10% sales commission is relatively high compared to similar platforms. After deducting shipping from a 1,000-yen sale, you take home only about 700 yen. When selling many low-margin items, the commission burden adds up.

Frequent price negotiation requests can also be frustrating. Requests for 50% discounts are not uncommon. Handling negotiations takes time, so stating "no price negotiations" in your profile or product description is one approach.

The effort required for packaging and shipping is an often-overlooked hidden cost. Taking photos, writing descriptions, communicating with buyers, preparing packaging materials, and visiting a convenience store or post office can take 30 minutes to an hour per transaction. When converted to an hourly rate, it may not be worthwhile, so choose your price range for selling carefully.

Dispute resolution also requires attention. When issues arise such as damaged items, items not matching descriptions, or packages lost in transit, you need to negotiate returns and refunds. Mercari has a buyer protection system - reporting to the secretariat before confirming receipt enables a refund. However, once you confirm receipt, protection no longer applies, so inspect items immediately upon arrival. Rating disputes can also occur. Even if the other party leaves an unfairly low rating, ratings generally cannot be changed once submitted.

The 200-yen withdrawal fee per transaction is also worth noting. Frequently withdrawing small balances erodes your profits.

If you want to learn more about buying and selling on secondhand marketplaces and decluttering techniques, try searching Amazon with the keywords below. You may find practical books covering product photography and pricing strategies.