10 Common Reselling Scams to Watch for on eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari

Summer slowdown can bring more than just lower sales. For resellers, it often comes with a spike in scammy behavior, buyer disputes, and frustrating returns. In this post, we break down the most common scams sellers encounter on marketplaces like eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari, plus practical ways to protect your business.

1. Item Not as Described (INAD) Switcheroos

One of the most common scams is the classic “item not as described” claim. A buyer receives your item, then returns something different, damaged, or incomplete.

How to protect yourself:

• Take clear photos before shipping
• Photograph the return immediately upon receipt
• Save serial numbers, tags, and unique markings
• Compare the return to your original listing photos

If possible, document everything quickly so you have a stronger case with the marketplace.

2. Empty Box Returns and Weight Mismatches

Some buyers return an empty box or something far lighter than what you shipped. This is why tracking and weight verification matter.

Best practices:

• Keep every shipping receipt
• Use postage records that show package weight
• Save return tracking data
• Open returns as soon as they arrive

A package that comes back weighing only an ounce can be a major red flag.

3. Off-Platform Requests and Trade Traps

If a buyer asks you to text them, take the sale offline, or trade outside the platform, be careful. These requests can put your account at risk and remove seller protection.

Common examples:

• “Can you text me?”
• “Can we trade instead?”
• “Will you sell this directly to me?”

The safest answer is simple: keep all communication and transactions on-platform.

4. Overpayment and Fake Refund Scams

Another scam involves a buyer “accidentally” paying more than the listing price and asking you to send the difference back through cash apps, gift cards, or other unsupported methods.

Red flags:

• Payment greater than your asking price
• Requests for refunds through off-platform methods
• Pressure to act before verifying the payment

Never accept overpayments or refund money outside the marketplace’s official system.

5. False Item Not Received (INR) Claims

Buyers may claim they never received an item even when tracking shows delivery. This becomes especially risky with higher-value items.

Protect yourself by:

• Using tracking on every shipment
• Requiring signature confirmation on items over $100
• Keeping delivery records handy
• Saving all shipping receipts

Signature confirmation is especially important for expensive items and can make a big difference in disputes.

6. Feedback Extortion and Partial Refund Pressure

Some buyers threaten negative feedback unless you issue a partial refund. That is feedback extortion, and it’s a serious policy violation on most platforms.

What to do:

• Do not negotiate under pressure
• Report the message right away
• Direct the buyer to open a return if needed
• Stick to your return policy

A calm, firm response can shut this down quickly.

7. Shipping to a Different Address

If a buyer asks you to ship to an address different from the one on the order, don’t do it. Once you ship off-platform or to an alternate address, you may lose seller protection.

Safe approach:

• Ship only to the address on file
• Cancel and relist if necessary
• Do not make exceptions for convenience

This is one of the oldest scams in the book, and it still catches sellers.

8. Bundle Bait-and-Switch Scams

Bundles can be tricky, especially on Poshmark. A buyer may claim one item in the bundle is damaged and request a partial refund without returning the full order.

To reduce risk:

• Clearly document each item in the bundle
• Use multiple photos
• Include detailed descriptions
• Avoid vague custom bundle listings

The more transparent your listing, the better your protection if a dispute comes up.

9. Shipping Delay Blame Games

Sometimes buyers blame sellers for carrier delays and ask for refunds or discounts, even when the issue is clearly with USPS or another carrier.

Your best defense:

• Ship on time
• Save receipts
• Keep tracking updated
• Document handling times and delivery status

When delays happen, a clear paper trail helps you show the issue was outside your control.

10. Lowball Offers That Lead to Bigger Problems

Lowball offers are especially common during summer slowdown and weaker economic periods. While not every low offer is a scam, some of these buyers create the most problems later.

Watch for:

• Offers at 50% to 60% below asking
• Excessive questions before purchase
• Requests for extra photos and special handling
• Returns based on vague complaints

Trust your gut. If a deal feels off, it’s okay to decline or block.

Final Thoughts: Stay Organized, Stay Protected

Scams tend to increase when sales slow down, so resellers need to stay sharp. A few simple habits can save you a lot of time, money, and stress:

• Take excellent photos
• Save receipts and tracking
• Use signature confirmation on expensive items
• Keep communication on-platform
• Don’t be afraid to say no

Automation can also help. If you answer the same buyer questions repeatedly, consider using text expansion tools like Beeftext to save time and stay consistent.

At Treecat, we’re always looking for ways to help resellers work smarter, protect their inventory, and grow through better systems. If you’re crosslisting or managing sales across multiple marketplaces, staying organized is one of the best defenses against scams.