Poshmark.com Review – Is Poshmark Legit or a Scam?

Poshmark is an online marketplace for buying and selling new and used clothing, shoes, accessories, and home goods. With over 80 million users, Poshmark has become one of the most popular platforms for reselling fashion items in the United States.

But is Poshmark legit? Can you trust Poshmark as a buyer and seller? Or is Poshmark a scam?

In this comprehensive Poshmark review, we will analyze Poshmark’s business model, fees, policies, and protections to help you decide if Poshmark is right for you. We’ll also provide tips on how to avoid scams and have a safe experience buying and selling on Poshmark.

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What is Poshmark?

Founded in 2011, Poshmark is a social commerce marketplace where users can buy and sell new and used clothing, shoes, accessories, beauty products, and home decor.

Poshmark brands itself as a highly engaged community, with users able to follow sellers, host styling parties, and use features like the #PoshStyle hashtag to connect with other fashion enthusiasts.

The company is based in Redwood City, California and has expanded internationally to Canada, Australia, and India. In October 2022, Poshmark was acquired by South Korean company Naver for $1.2 billion.

How Poshmark Works

Poshmark aims to make the buying and selling experience as easy as possible. Here’s an overview of how Poshmark works:

For Buyers

• Browse listings or use filters to search for items
• Save items you like to your Wish List
• Purchase items outright or make offers
• Receive prepaid, pre-addressed shipping label on purchases over $15
• Accept delivery and rate your purchase

For Sellers

• Download app and create a “closet”
• Take photos and create listings from your phone
• Share listings to Poshmark community
• Print prepaid shipping label when item sells
• Poshmark releases your earnings once buyer accepts order

Poshmark handles all payments through their app and website, acting as an intermediary between buyers and sellers.

This removes the need to exchange any sensitive financial information or conduct transactions outside of Poshmark’s secure platform.

Is Poshmark Legit?

With its growing popularity, many new users wonder “is Poshmark legit?” The answer is yes, Poshmark is a 100% legitimate company.

Here are a few reasons why Poshmark is considered a safe and reputable platform:

• Well-established company – Founded in 2011, Poshmark has over a decade of experience and has built trust in the reseller community.
• Secure payments – Poshmark uses encryption and payment processors to securely handle transactions. You never have to give financial info directly to sellers.
• Buyer & seller protections – Poshmark has policies like Posh Protect and Posh Authenticate in place to protect both buyers and sellers.
• User verification – All users must provide personal information during signup to maintain accountability.
• Excellent reviews – Poshmark consistently receives 4-5 star reviews from users across review sites like SiteJabber, Trustpilot, and the app stores.

While no marketplace is 100% scam-proof, Poshmark has implemented extensive measures to create a legitimate, trusted platform for buying and selling clothing online.

Poshmark Fees for Buyers and Sellers

Poshmark charges fees to both buyers and sellers in order to facilitate transactions on their platform. Here is an overview of Poshmark’s fee structure:

For Buyers

• $7.11 flat rate shipping fee per order

For Sellers

• 20% commission fee per sale
• Flat $2.95 fee for sales under $15
• Free shipping supplies (labels, boxes, tape)

In addition, Poshmark reduces its seller commission to just 10% for boutique owners or sellers that reach Posh Ambassador status (by meeting certain sales thresholds).

While Poshmark’s fees are on the higher side compared to sites like eBay and Mercari, many sellers find the ease of use and community engagement worth the trade-off. Poshmark aims to make selling incredibly simple by providing free shipping supplies and handling payments and customer service on sellers’ behalf.

Poshmark Shipping Process

One of the most convenient parts of Poshmark is its shipping process. Poshmark aims to streamline logistics for both buyers and sellers.

For Buyers

• Fast shipping – All orders ship via Priority Mail with tracking
• Prepaid label – Shipping costs are covered by Poshmark

For Sellers

• Free label – Poshmark emails prepaid shipping label with each sale
• Simple packing – Place item in box and attach label
• Free supplies – Poshmark provides free boxes, tape, bubble wrap

By handling the shipping label creation and cost, Poshmark simplifies the post-sale process for sellers.

The streamlined shipping system is a major factor in Poshmark’s appeal. Sellers on competitors like eBay and Etsy have to weigh packages, enter dimensions, purchase postage, and schedule pickups on their own.

Is Poshmark Safe for Buyers? Avoiding Scams

While the vast majority of Poshmark sellers are honest individuals just cleaning out their closet, there is still potential for scams as an online shopper. Here are some tips to safely buy on Poshmark and avoid scams:

Read seller reviews – Check ratings and feedback history before purchasing from a seller. Avoid sellers with no reviews or a history of complaints.

Ask questions – Contact the seller with any questions about sizing, flaws, condition etc. before purchasing. Legitimate sellers will respond helpfully.

Beware deals – Extremely low prices on luxury items may indicate a counterfeit product. Always check comparable resale prices.

Pay through app – Never pay outside the Poshmark app, even if a seller insists. Keeping payment within Poshmark is safest.

Review upon arrival – Carefully inspect item on arrival and report any issues within 3 days.

Contact support – If you encounter any problems with an order, contact Poshmark’s support team immediately.

By following these tips and using common sense, buyers can largely avoid scams on Poshmark. Remember to trust your gut – if something seems suspicious, it probably is.

Poshmark Buyer Protection and Returns

Poshmark offers a buyer protection policy called Posh Protect to give shoppers peace of mind.

Here are the key details buyers need to know about Poshmark’s buyer protection:

• Full refunds – If an order never ships or the item is not as described, Poshmark will refund the full purchase price and original shipping.
• 3 day review period – Buyers have 3 days after delivery to inspect their order and report any issues eligible for a return.
• Return reasons – Poshmark approves returns for damaged, defective, or falsely advertised items. They do not accept returns for fit or changing your mind.
• Simple returns – If approved, Poshmark emails a prepaid return label within 5 days. No need to contact the seller.
• Posh Authenticate – Poshmark authenticates all purchases over $500. Counterfeit items are fully refunded.

Poshmark thoroughly vets buyer claims and does not automatically side with buyers. However, for eligible issues, the Posh Protect policy offers a seamless, risk-free way for unsatisfied buyers to get a full refund.

Is Poshmark Safe for Sellers? Avoiding Scams

Just as buyers need to be careful, Poshmark sellers also need to employ savvy practices to reduce the likelihood of scams. Here are tips for safely selling on Poshmark:

Avoid off-app communication – Never communicate with buyers off the Poshmark platform, as you lose Poshmark protections. Ignore requests for your personal contact info.

Photograph everything – Take clear photos of all angles and flaws before shipping to protect against false claims later.

Describe accurately – Provide measurements and detailed condition descriptions so buyers know exactly what they’re getting.

Ship fast – Ship orders out quickly and provide tracking number within timeframe Poshmark requires. Late shipments lead to headaches.

Learn policies – Understand Poshmark’s rules around returns and cases so you can represent yourself effectively if any issues arise.

Get insurance – Purchase additional insurance for high-value shipments in case packages are lost or damaged.

While the majority of Poshmark users are honest, following these precautions will help minimize any seller’s risk of scams on the platform.

Poshmark Seller Protection and Cases

For sellers, Poshmark provides protections mostly relating to shipping and payments:

• Secure payments – Poshmark releases funds to sellers only after the buyer receives the order.
• Free insurance – Poshmark’s shipping label includes up to $200 of insurance coverage.
• Signature required – Poshmark requires a signature on delivery for purchases above $400.
• Support for claims – If a return case is opened, Poshmark will collect information from both sides to make a fair decision.
• Posh Authenticate – Poshmark authenticates purchases over $500, protecting sellers from false counterfeit accusations.

If a dispute arises, Poshmark does offer a claims process sellers can utilize to defend themselves against unwarranted return requests. However, sellers should manage expectations, as Poshmark will side with buyers if their requests fall under the official return policy.

Common Poshmark Scams and How to Avoid Them

While Poshmark is considered safe for most users, it’s still smart to be aware of the most common Poshmark scams to avoid falling victim as a buyer or seller:

Off-Platform Communication

This is the most prevalent Poshmark scam. A “buyer” will message asking to communicate via email, text, or payment apps instead of through Poshmark. This is always a scam, as it allows them to avoid Poshmark’s protections. Never share personal contact info or transact off Poshmark.

Switching Items on Return

Dishonest buyers may return a damaged or inauthentic version of an item while claiming it’s the original. Always take photos before shipping to have proof if a swap scam occurs. Poshmark will review evidence thoroughly if this type of case is opened.

Counterfeit Goods

A small minority of Poshmark sellers will attempt to sell replica items as authentic. Carefully review listings for red flags like prices that are too good to be true. For high-end items, request Poshmark’s free authentication service.

Fraudulent Payments

Avoid potential scams by only accepting Poshmark’s secured payments and ignoring requests to be paid via third-party apps. Never accept checks, wire transfers or payments outside of Poshmark’s processing system.

Phishing for Information

Ignore any communications asking for personal information like your email, address, or credit card number. Poshmark will never reach out in this manner. Do not click questionable links and always report phishing attempts.

By following the tips provided above for safe buying and selling, Poshmark users can enjoy the app while avoiding the most common scams. Just use good judgment, and be cautious with buyers or sellers who trigger red flags or seem suspicious.

Is Poshmark Worth It? Pros and Cons

Given the fees and potential for scams, is selling on Poshmark ultimately worthwhile? Here are the main pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Large established community of buyers
• Simple selling process from smartphones
• Free shipping supplies and labels
• No listing fees like eBay
• Supportive community engagement

Cons

• 20% commission fee may be high for some
• Potential returns and cases to resolve
• Cluttered interface can have learning curve
• Counterfeit risk for high-end goods
• Scam potential if sellers aren’t cautious

For casual sellers just looking to declutter their closet, Poshmark’s ease of use outweighs the high fees. But for professional sellers, the costs may eat into profits too much unless selling high ticket goods.

There are certainly cheaper ways to sell clothing online, like eBay, Depop or Facebook Marketplace. But sellers need to weigh that against the audience reach and community perks of an established platform like Poshmark.

There are also some keys to success in maximizing profits while selling on Poshmark:

• Source inventory cheaply (thrift stores, wholesale, sales)
• Specialize in brands/categories that sell well on Poshmark
• Share listings frequently and engage the Poshmark community
• Provide measurements and detailed condition descriptions
• Learn to spot and avoid potential scams

For buyers, Poshmark is generally a reliable source for secondhand clothing and accessories at reasonable prices. However, buyers do need to be selective in which sellers they purchase from and watch for counterfeit goods or shipping delays.

How Poshmark Compares to Other Reselling Platforms

Poshmark pioneered the social reselling marketplace model, but now faces extensive competition. Here is how Poshmark compares to some other top online marketplaces for buying and selling clothing:

Competitor sites like eBay offer lower fees but less protections for sellers. Meanwhile, young sites like Depop boast engaged communities but smaller reach.

Poshmark strikes a balance – competitive commissions but leveraging community and ease of use to attract sellers. Sellers should consider which site best aligns with their target audience, product offerings, and experience level.

Tips for Making the Most Money Selling on Poshmark

While Poshmark takes a 20% commission, top sellers can still earn five or even six figures on the platform. Here are some tips for maximizing your Poshmark sales and profit:

• Specialize – Focus on niches and brands that sell well on Poshmark like Anthropologie, Patagonia, and Lululemon. Become an expert.
• List consistently – Algorithms favor closets with fresh listings. Aim to add new inventory weekly or daily.
• Share your closet – Share your listings regularly to push them to Poshmark followers. Automate sharing if possible.
• Follow others – Grow your network by engaging with other sellers and followers. More connections = more sales.
• Add measurements – Providing exact garment measurements increases sales for clothing significantly.
• Get feedback – Prioritize earning buyer feedback to display your selling credibility.
• Know your profit – Factor in fees and average selling price for brands to determine worthwhile flips.
• Provide customer service – Quickly answer buyer questions and resolve any issues to prevent poor reviews.

Putting in the initial legwork to optimize your Poshmark closet can pay off exponentially. The most successful Poshmark sellers treat it like a business rather than a hobby.

Poshmark Review Summary

After extensively researching Poshmark policies, protections, and practices, we can comfortably say that Yes – Poshmark is a legitimate company and safe to use for the majority of buyers and sellers.

While users should employ basic precautions, Poshmark’s extensive community, buyer protections, and seller verification systems allow transactions to be conducted securely.

However, Poshmark may not be ideal for all users. Professional sellers should consider lower fee alternatives or niche sites that cater to their inventory.

Casual sellers and bargain-hunting shoppers will likely appreciate Poshmark’s highly engaged user base and streamlined buying experience. But buyers may prefer eBay for specific items not well represented on Poshmark.

In the end, users should weigh the pros, cons, fees, and protections to decide if Poshmark is a good fit. But experienced users can safely buy and sell on Poshmark by following the provided tips to maximize profits and avoid scams.

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