Hi! I'm new to this site and wasn't really sure how to make a post so instead replied here!
First of all, this will be a lengthy post. Buckle up.
I've heard so many bad things about Tradesy, but oddly enough I've had quite the opposite feeling. For all of you who have NO IDEA what this site is, it's a platform where people like you and me can put our closet up for sell and reach a lot of people in the U.S. versus just selling on Craigslist/OfferUp in your home town.
Tradesy doesn't have a clue if what you are selling is authentic or not (unless someone reports you, but I do believe they have a way or monitoring recent posts to catch fakes), they just take 9% commission when you sell the item and if they find out what you sold is fake (by the buyer returning the item to them), they suspend your account, give you back your fake item and the buyer gets their money back. End of story.
Typically, once the item is delivered, the buyer has 4 days to initiate a return. After that 4 days and nothing is returned, your money is released to you. Then they take another 2.5% to transfer to your bank or PayPal. If you are selling genuine items and being honest and descriptive in your post, there should be no complaints!
Tradesy accepts ALL returns no matter what (but have to be within 4 days of delivery).
Buyer gets money back 100% only:
1. If seller sold a fake
2. If seller said it was brand new and it wasn't. If it had rips or tears that seller didn't mention.
3. Sizing is inaccurate, seller said it was a large when it was a small.
Basically, if seller wasn't honest in their post, Tradesy is on buyer's side.
If the buyer returns an item for no reason other than they personally have buyers remorse, then you, as a seller, keep your money and Tradesy will take the returned item and resell it on one of their platforms (Abbey, Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane, etc) and give the buyer a site credit. The seller keeps their money because their listing was honest.
I have been on Tradesy for 4-5 months. I am a seller/buyer. I have sold 15 items, ranging from $10 to $400. All went easy peasy. I was descriptive, I was honest, I shipped in 1-3 business days, I attached a security tag for everyone's best interest (buyer can't remove the tag until they are sure this is the item they want. The security tag must be attached in case of a return to prove that it was my item). I've made about $1,300 so far from things I would have just taken to goodwill!!
I have also bought 20 things, ranging from $30 - $615. I did have to return one item (it was $600 so I was nervous) for not being accurately described. It took a week to process the return and I ended up getting a full refund, not credit. Tradesy paid for my postage to return the item to them and also refunded me my shipping costs when I originally bought the item. I was really impressed.
I am currently going through another issue, not Tradesy's fault, but the postal service. I sold a dress to a buyer and she never received it. We checked the tracking # on USPS and it says it's in "transit" even though it was priority mail and should have been delivered 2 weeks ago. I did get paid from Tradesy though, so not sure what will happen next. I just hope the seller is able to get her money back at the very least and I hope that I can keep my money since USPS lost my item.
ADVICE to Buyers:
-Buy from someone who has sold at least 10 items.
-Ask questions! Ask when they will ship, how they will ship, etc. If seller is slow to respond then obviously they don't care too much and that only means they will take forever to ship!
-If they buyer doesn't have many photos or not clear ones, ask for more or beware!
-If seller has stock photos (selling purses that are recent and look like professional photos from the actual designer's site) BEWARE!
-Research your item, don't just buy it and hope it's authentic. If it looks fake or you aren't sure, don't buy it just because it sounds like a good deal.
ADVICE to Sellers:
1. Post CLEAR photos and post as many as you can!
2. Be DESCRIPTIVE.
3. List ALL flaws
4. If unsure of size, say "sizing is an estimate"
5. Attach a security tag with a serial number to item when selling
6. Ship 1-3 days of purchase!! Pack your item with a Thank You note and make sure item is wrapped in bubble wrap and stuffing to keep it nice. Treat your buyers the way you want to be treated!
7. Communicate and be friendly with buyer. Tell them thank you and when you will ship. Keep them updated!!
It's common sense. There are good buyers and good sellers out there. Do research. Ask questions and if it sounds too good to be true, I'd listen to your gut.
If you are buying a high end luxury item, do your research on the item. Does it look fake? Is the date code authentic? Know your item before you buy it!! There are many sites that show you how to tell a fake from an authentic one.
Put your thinking caps on!! I personally love this site and it's so much easier than anything I've tried. They only take 9% commission and a 2.5% transfer fee to your bank. That's a deal!!
Regarding shipping and many rumors that Tradesy charges the seller, that isn't true. The buyer pays for shipping and the buyer can ask the seller to adjust rates. I just bought two Rebecca Minkoff purses from the same seller and she combined both purses into one listing, shipped them together, and I only paid one shipping fee. The seller is who determines what to ship for. They choose whether to include shipping (no expense to buyer), print off a shipping label (buyer pays $8.50), or use a free shipping kit (buyer pays $14-35) while Tradesy sends seller a box, bag and shipping label to send out. Seller doesn't spend a dime on shipping if they don't want too, the buyer does. I've NEVER been charged for shipping an item I've sold!
My experience with shipping kits is that they sometimes take longer than 2 days to get to you. I'm the type that wants my buyer to get their purse fast so I can get paid fast! I usually just do my own shipping or use a free printable label if I have the supplies on hand.
I've come a pro at this site and know a lot about it. x
