Treecat Chat Highlights: Mercari Fashion Exchanges, Comic Book Selling, and Crosslisting Tips

1. Welcome to Treecat Chat

On this week’s Treecat Chat, Michelle kicked things off with her usual Saturday energy, talking about the world of re-commerce, selling, and e-commerce. The show is built for seasoned marketplace sellers, entrepreneurs, and side hustlers looking for practical insights and a little weekend fun.

This episode also featured a special guest: Justin, a comic book seller and founder of InvestmentComicBooks.com. Justin sells across multiple platforms, including eBay, Mercari, and Whatnot, and uses Treecat to help manage his listings more efficiently.

2. Mercari’s New Fashion Exchange Pilot

One of the biggest news items discussed was Mercari’s new Fashion Exchange pilot. For fashion sellers, the platform is testing a program that lets buyers exchange items if they don’t fit or even if they smell.

A key takeaway for sellers is that this pilot is reportedly not supposed to impact sellers financially. The exchange program is being tested from July 1 to July 31, and it’s worth watching closely if you sell clothing or other fashion items on Mercari.

3. Justin’s Journey from Hobby to Business

Justin shared how his comic book selling business began while he was traveling frequently for work and looking for a hobby that could pay for itself. Having loved superhero movies, TV shows, and comic books since childhood, he returned to collecting around 2013 and quickly became serious about buying, selling, and hunting for comics.

He started by searching flea markets, garage sales, and local shops, learning what to look for from a nearby comic book store owner. Over time, his hobby grew into a business focused on high ASP, low volume sales, with an emphasis on quality inventory and strong customer service.

4. Selling Comics, Building Relationships, and Growing Sales

One of the most memorable parts of Justin’s story was a relationship he built with a seller who was going blind and wanted his comics to go to someone who would appreciate them. That connection turned into a long-term friendship and a valuable source of inventory.

Justin also shared that his sales have steadily grown over time, helped by:

• careful packaging
• clear communication
• consistent shipping practices
• excellent feedback

Both Michelle and Justin emphasized that great seller reputation matters. In crowded marketplaces, packaging and service can be a major way to stand out.

5. Treecat, Crosslisting, and Marketplace Strategy

Justin explained how technology helps him balance a busy family life and full-time job with his side business. He uses Treecat and other tools to simplify crosslisting and inventory management.

A feature he especially liked was Fast Match, which helped him import existing listings and quickly match items across marketplaces. Since he keeps his titles consistent between platforms, the matching process worked especially well.

He also shared practical seller tips:

• use free USPS materials when appropriate
• learn shipping rules carefully
• size up items correctly
• look for cost-saving packing materials
• use services like Pirate Ship to reduce shipping costs

He even mentioned using pool noodles as a low-cost protective packing material for comic books.

6. What’s Next for Justin and Small Sellers

Justin sees continued opportunity for small sellers in 2025, as long as they budget carefully and reinvest wisely. He keeps his inventory around $5,000 and typically puts about 50% of sales back into buying stock.

Looking ahead, he wants to do more:

• YouTube videos
• social media content
• comic-book-specific “picking” videos in the style of American Pickers

His biggest advice for newer sellers? Branding matters. He said he wished he had settled on his business name, logo, and identity sooner, because a strong visual brand helps people remember and recognize you across platforms like Whatnot, eBay, and social media.