Last Updated on November 21, 2020 by Stiletto Socialite
HOW NOT TO GET SCAMMED ON POSHMARK
The best way to not get scammed on Poshmark is to follow your instinct, but you didn’t come here for generic advice on Poshmark scams and my goal is to give you real advice today!
Ever since I have identity fraud committed on me as a CHILD, I’ve always kept a close watch on scam artists!
Concerns about getting scammed on Poshmark are coming from both the buyer and seller.
There are several tips on how not to get scammed on Poshmark and today I will breakdown what tools you should have in your arsenal to make sure you are not getting gypped!
HOW DOES POSHMARK WORK?
In the most basic and general way, Poshmark is an app wherein customers come to buy new and used goods from other sellers. Poshmark started several years ago, they originally focused on women’s fashion and now have added other lines such as: kids, mens, and home goods.
It is important to note, although you are buying from a person and not directly from Poshmark (unless in rare circumstances when you are purchasing Poshmark supplies), Poshmark is always “big momma” in the background and they are the intermediary between the seller and buyer.
Poshmark does not have a direct messaging system between buyers and sellers (although there is a workaround), so if there are any disputes or problems, you typically go to Poshmark first, they are in control–in the drivers seat with you and the seller in the back seat.
The price a seller pays to Poshmark for a sale is 20%
Buyers pay shipping costs of $6.79 for a flat rate label that covers a purchase for up to 5 lbs.
POSHMARK SCAMS? SOMEONE ASKED ME TO EMAIL THEM ON POSHMARK
If someone asks you to email them on Poshmark that should send red flags out to you.
No boo…there will be no transactions offline with Poshmark, they make it very clear that’s a “NO.”
So if someone is asking to email you offline, than they might be shisty. The platform is there for a reason, to protect both buyer and seller, you don’t get protection having offline purchases and TRUST you want to have a protection dealing with some of these shady customers and buyers.
Don’t do it…there is not a deal out there worth the aggravation if something bad happens.
Plus if the deal is too good to be true, then it’s probably because it is a scam. PERIOT POO!
DOES POSHMARK SELL FAKE STUFF?
My opinion and there is no real proof, but I am sure there is fake stuff being sold on Poshmark.
Please note no company is infallible!
However, Poshmark–the company–is not selling fake stuff, it is the sellers.
The truth is that there is fake stuff everywhere especially on resellng platforms where authenticity can be manipulated.
Case in point, The Real Real, a popular consignment type online luxury reseller that has been called out for its authentication errors.
To help avoid Poshmark scams, Poshmark has a program when the purchase is over $500 that they will authenticate the purchases. However, truth moment, if I am spending even $250 I would want my stuff double checked…I am just saying! I really think Poshmark should change the amount of which there are verifying purchases because even at $450 I think an item it’s worth being authenticated. Unless you are buying straight from the manufacturer/retailer in like an online manner there is really no true one hunnit way to know!
HOW DO YOU KNOW SOMETHING IS REAL ON POSHMARK?
I get you, you still want to know how to know if something is real on Poshmark and how to avoid so called Poshmark scams.
The only possible assurance you can have is via authentication, if you are looking for a piece of mind.
If authentication is not an option then you have to play detective look at pictures, labels, etc to determine the legitimacy of the item,
This is when selling history becomes SUPER IMPORTANT. Because if you see this person selling sales history with satisfied customers you can see the “sold” history to see what price was paid, you better believe these Poshmark customers think its fake they will cry foul and not only on Poshmark they will stalk you and blow up your other social medias and troll you down so you have to do your due diligence.
I take my selling integrity very seriously and a lot of sellers do, a few bad apples out there make it hard for others.
If I thrift something designer I let people know straight up, it was thrifted and I am unable to verify the legitmacy and to be honest many people don’t care. Those who do, will not buy, fine with me, and I never have any problems because they were told up front what was going on.
CAN YOU GET YOUR MONEY BACK ON POSHMARK?
In order to get your money back on Poshmark there has to be a reason. All else remaining equal, Poshmark is a final sale platform automatically. Final sale is not a term made by the seller, Poshmark sets that criteria. So all else remaining equal you do not get your money back on Poshmark unless something was wrong with the purchase/transaction.
DOES POSHMARK SIDE WITH THE BUYER OR SELLER?
Throughout the years Poshmark was known as the Great Escape away from eBay with eBay’s “customer is always right approach” to returns and/or even Payal’s very loose return policy. You would hear about customers on eBay/PayPal trying to return items from three months prior. So that drove a lot of sellers away to the open arms of Poshmark. According to online reviews, Poshmark sellers appear to be feeling frustrations about the return process.
When you look at forums you will see all the back and forth of how Poshmark sides with sellers vs. buyers.
The seller thinks after having a case unfarily reviewed that Poshmark sides too much with buyers.
The buyer thinks after having a case unfairly reviewed (in their eyes) that Poshmark sides too much the seller.
Here is the reality.
No one knows for sure.
Unless you have access to Poshmark data set and you can do a statistical analysis of Poshmark returns and review the reasons to see if they are warranted.
Ultimately, as a seller there are times when the Poshmark will side with a buyer and it is not right. I get it–this has happened to me.
From my experience, the Poshmark case review system is flawed and people are the ones reviewing these cases and it does appear to be some inconsistencies with how the reviews are done.
As Poshmark grows they will be faced with new challenges–their review system and how they handle their cases and perceived Poshmark scams appears to be one of the pain points and frustrations that buyers and sellers are experiencing.
POSHMARK PURCHASES
According to online forums some buyers feel that their Poshmark purchases were misrepresented and that misleading photos or descriptions were done but they didn’t have a recourse and a case was decided in favor of the buyer.
From the seller persepctive, they feel Poshmark is staring to allow returns for poshmark purchases due to buyers remorse.
However, in Poshmark defense, this may not always be verifiable.
Case in point, say someone receives an item and damages it slightly stating they wanted to return it due to it arriving “damaged” then how could Poshmark verify this?
Basically a customer with buyer’s remorse may damage the merchandise to facilitate a return
Well, here is my PRO TIP, video record your shipments, until they are safely delivered and announce that you will do this on your listings. Rather you actually do this or not, it can serve as a deterrent for scam artists or people who want to play games because they know there is a possibility you will have proof of their charlatan ways!
Poshmark is a final sale platform but to me they are not truly a final sale platform because a person who wants a return can scam their way to get Poshmark to return their item. This is one of the most prevalent scams that I feel is going on with Poshmark. When a customer doesn’t like their item they can open a case with Poshmark on the buyer. A few months ago, I had two Poshmark cases open within weeks for the same type of item Vintage Levi shorts and basically it was based on fit.
I was so over it, that I stopped posting this particular item and for the rest of the season only posted them on Depop and I happy to say I sold the item for a higher price!
It appears the traditionally Poshmark was known as a place that sided with buyers, but as they grow and more and more people are coming to the app, they have adapted that “customer is always right” perspective that many sellers do not like.
On the other hand, buyers need a level of protection also from unscrupulous sellers.
Poshmark scams may not be as easily defined as many think.
However, keep in mind that Poshmark is the company, the people who buy and sell are the ones who are scamming not Poshmark. Overall Poshmark like most online business want to keep their customers happy, but they are not infallible so that means you have to diligent to avoid Poshmark scams.
Honestly, whenever money is involved and transcations are being made ultimately there will always be “those people” who will try to manipulate and scam the system–this is not unique to Poshmark.
So just be smart, trust your instincts, and cover your self.
If something bad has happened before, I invite you to leave it in the past, if that means selling, that’s fine, if that means giving it another shot, but don’t live life into fear worrying about the next scammer, if you have done your due diligence that’s all you can do!
If you want to check Poshmark out to see if it’s right fit for you then here is my shameless plug to sign up!
Use my code STILETTOSOCIAL to save $10: https://posh.mk/jRHnZYho40
