If you don't know the difference between Mercari and Yahoo! Auctions, your prices won't go up! People who can't sell are losing out on "how to choose where to sell" |

 

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The reason why an item doesn't sell on Mercari or Yahoo! Auctions is often not because of a problem with the product, but because the "place to put it" is not appropriate .

In this article, we will clearly explain the differences between the two services and how to choose one so that even beginners can easily use them.

By the time you finish reading, you will be able to determine which option will help you sell your product faster and for a higher price.

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First, the conclusion: Choose Mercari and Yahoo! Auctions based on the psychology of buyers, not sellers.

When choosing between Mercari and Yahoo! Auctions, it's important to consider who will buy your items, not who will sell them .
By understanding the psychology of the buyer and using appropriate methods, rather than for the seller's convenience, you can instantly change from an unsellable situation to a sellable situation.

Flea market apps = places where people who want to buy something right now gather

Auction = A place where people who understand value compete with each other

By keeping this perspective in mind, you can reduce the risk of choosing the wrong place to list your products and get closer to success from the start.

Flea markets are not for people who want to sell quickly, but for people who want to buy right away.

Flea market apps like Mercari are places where buyers who want to buy right away gather, rather than sellers who want to sell quickly .
In other words, the main psychology is "I want to buy it immediately if I find it now" and "I want to buy it without hesitation," so it's easy to get things done quickly.

Buyer psychology = I want it right away without any hassle

Therefore, what is more important than detailed specifications or added value is the "impression of the photo," "intuitively low price," and "ease of use."
A notable feature is that people tend to evaluate the "speed of delivery" and "ease of use" rather than the product genre or rarity.
If you understand this characteristic and list your item, you can change it from a "not selling" state to a "selling in a short amount of time" state.

If you want to secure a box of items that will quickly turn over for Mercari → Quickly purchase items with assorted used clothing

The auction format is not a market where sellers have power, but rather a market where people who want something compete with each other.

Auction formats such as Yahoo! Auctions are not a system in which the seller has the power, but rather a system in which people who want the same item drive up the price.
Therefore, it is not the seller who determines the price, but the "passion of the buyer."

Buyer's psychology = Don't want someone else to take it / Want it even if it means competing

Contrary to the flea market format, buyers are looking for "valuable items" rather than "items that can be bought immediately."
Rarity, market price, and background information are easily evaluated, and the price naturally increases depending on the buyer.
In other words, by understanding that it is a system that takes time but sells for a high price, you will be able to choose the right product.

If you want to secure a box of items that will quickly turn over for Mercari → Quickly purchase items with assorted used clothing

Organizing the basic differences between Mercari and Yahoo! Auctions for beginners

In this chapter, we will summarize the basic differences between Mercari and Yahoo! Auctions, and first clarify why the same item cannot be sold on one of them.

Although the two services look similar, the customers they attract have completely different goals, and this difference directly affects how they sell.

Mercari is popular with people looking for convenience and speed, and everyday items and clothing tend to move easily, whereas Yahoo! Auctions is popular with users who value rarity and speciality, and prices tend to be higher.

Choose your purchasing method based on your purpose: for Mercari sales or for high-priced items on Yahoo! Auctions →
・Assorted bulk purchase
・Selective purchasing by pick/bale

Mercari allows you to quickly sell a wide range of everyday items and clothing

...User purpose: "I want it now" "I want to buy it easily"

- Genres that sell well: daily necessities, cosmetics, children's products, non-branded clothing

Strengths: Easy listing and easy to use

・Buyer's perspective: Speed and convenience over value

・Points to keep in mind: clear photos and intuitive prices

Yahoo! Auctions has strong demand for specialized, rare, and collector items

・Many buyers on Yahoo! Auctions are people who "want to take their time to look around and buy something that is truly valuable"

・There are many enthusiasts and collectors who are likely to respond to rare items, limited edition items, and old models.

・There are cases where bids increase even for old appliance parts or discontinued items.

・High value and rarity are prioritized over "immediate delivery"

・It takes a long time to make a sale because it takes a long time to compare products.

・As a result, the final price is likely to increase (it is easier to sell at a higher price)

・Suitable for when you want to sell for as much as possible, rather than quickly

Understand the differences in fees, market prices, and listing speed

• Mercari prioritizes speed
  → They sell quickly, but prices tend to settle at the lower end of the market.
  
  

• Yahoo! Auctions is price-focused
  → It takes time to sell, but it is easy to target the upper limit (ceiling) of the market price.
  
  ・Considerations regarding fees
  → Mercari: Easy to use and slightly expensive
  → Yahoo! Auctions: Prices may be lower depending on the conditions.
  
  ・Differences based on seller's purpose
  → Mercari: Sell quickly and reliably
  → If you want to sell at a high price, use Yahoo! Auctions
  
  ·summary
  → The only thing you need to decide is "time" or "price"
  
  

Which one will sell better? Diagnosis of how to use different products by product category

In this chapter, we will organize the criteria for determining whether each item you are listing is suitable for Mercari or Yahoo! Auctions .

The reason people are unsure which one to sell is because they don't know that sales and price growth vary depending on the genre.

By understanding how to use them effectively, you will be able to reduce mistakes when choosing where to sell your items and make decisions to sell faster and for a higher price .

A 3-step diagnosis that beginners won't get lost in

✅ STEP 1: Speed or price?

・I want to sell now/I want to get cash quickly → Mercari

・I want to sell at a high price even if it takes a little time → Yahoo! Auctions

 

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✅ STEP 2: Is the product's value "for the general public" or "for enthusiasts"?

・Anyone can use it ・Useful in everyday life → Mercari

・Only people who like it want it / Only people in the know know about it → Yahoo! Auctions

 

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✅ STEP 3: Who sets the price, you or the buyer?

・If you want to set your own fixed price → Mercari (flea market format)

・You want buyers to compete to decide → Yahoo! Auctions (auction format)

Examples of different uses for secondhand clothes, branded items, home appliances, and hobbies

■ Secondhand clothing and apparel

If you want to "select with your own eyes" one-of-a-kind vintage items and vintage items, click here to purchase OLDFLIP picks.


If you want to sell by quantity → Assorted used clothing (ready for Mercari)

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■ Branded items (bags, wallets, accessories, etc.)

 

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■ Home appliances

 

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■ Hobby, Game, and Collection

 

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・Items with wide demand → Mercari

・Things that only the person you love wants so badly → Yahoo! Auctions

・For speed, go to Mercari / For price, go to Yahoo! Auctions

The idea that "easy to sell" and "sell at a high price" are two different things

"Selling" and "selling at a high price" may seem similar, but they are actually completely different states.

Once you can distinguish between these, it will become natural to decide which app you should use to list your items.

 

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✅ Easy to sell = Wide demand (Mercari type)

・A large number of people are targeted

・The criteria for decision are "price," "photos," and "speed of delivery."

・Sells quickly → In return, the price is unlikely to increase

 

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✅ High selling price = High buyer enthusiasm (Yahoo! Auctions type)

・There are only a few people who want it, but each person has a strong passion for it.

・The longer the time spent comparing and considering, the more value is conveyed.

・It may not sell immediately → The price may eventually rise

 

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✅ In other words, what matters is not the "market" but the "psychology of the buyer"

・If there is "wide and shallow demand", it will sell quickly

・If there is "narrow and deep demand," you can sell at a high price

・It's not about which is the right answer, but about "choosing the right arena for your product"

 

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Once you understand this idea,
"Products that I thought wouldn't sell until now"
It is clear that simply changing the location could make the product more expensive.

Improvement points for selling quickly and reliably on Mercari

Here are some concrete steps to overcome the "I can't sell on Mercari..." problem → Reference article for people who can't sell on Mercari

In this chapter, we will summarize specific improvement points to help you get out of the situation where you put something up on Mercari but it doesn't sell.

Mercari is a system that emphasizes speed and makes it easy to sell, but on the other hand, it is characterized by the fact that even slight differences in how items are presented can greatly affect the response .

In particular , simply by adjusting the three elements of photos, descriptions, and pricing , the impression that buyers have of your product will change, and the same product will be much more likely to sell.

The difference between photos that are seen and photos that are ignored

On Mercari, buyers make their decision based on photos rather than product descriptions .

In other words, if the photo leaves a bad impression, people will ignore it before even reading the content.

On the other hand, a unique feature of Mercari is that the same product can be more likely to sell simply because the photo is beautiful.

✅ Commonalities between photos viewed (clicked)

- The photo was taken in a bright place

- The background is not cluttered

The entire product is clearly visible

・You can instantly tell what product it is from the first image

・Don't hide scratches or stains, take honest photos from different angles

❌ Trends in photos that are ignored (photos that are hard to sell)

It's dark and I can't see the color

・There are unnecessary objects in the surrounding area

・The product has too much of a homey feel and doesn't convey its appeal.

・Too close or too far to see the whole picture

・Excessive editing can cause anxiety due to the "gap between the image and the real thing."

Build trust by describing the condition and usage image

The description is not just "product information" but also a way to determine whether you can buy with confidence .

Mercari is particularly convenient, but many buyers feel uneasy with just photos, so it's important to build trust with your description.

✅ Key points for a selling description

・Please write in detail about the condition (new/used/used)

・Add a description of the type of person it is suitable for

・Include "information that is easy to imagine" such as the period of use and frequency

- Sizes and dimensions are indicated by numbers

・Specify the shipping method to give a sense of security

❌ Examples of descriptions that don't sell

・There is no basis for saying "It's clean" or "It's practically unused."

・The expressions are vague and it is difficult to imagine the situation.

No manufacturer name or model number listed

・Lack of perspective from the buyer's side (only for their own convenience)

If you change your focus from "product explanations" to "information that will give you peace of mind after purchase ," you will see a significant increase in response.

Pricing starts with understanding the "bottom of the market"

The most common reason why items don't sell on Mercari is that people use the "highest price" as the market price .

What actually sells fastest is the line close to the ``bottom of the market price (lower limit price)'' that many buyers check.

✅ Pricing Concepts (for Beginners)

・First, check the "sold price" of the same or similar products

・Based on the "price at which the transaction was concluded" rather than the unsold price

・Starting with an amount close to the "bottom of the market" will encourage a response

・As the number of likes/views increases, it's okay to adjust it little by little.

 

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✅ Common mistakes

・Prioritizing the seller's "desired price"
→ Seems expensive to the buyer

・Use the prices of other sellers who have left items unsold as a reference
→ You end up adjusting to the market price where things aren't selling.

 

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✅ Guidelines for determining prices

・Want to sell quickly → Lower price

・Want to wait and see for a while → Median

・Rare items you won't find anywhere else → (On Mercari) There's a chance even if they're a little pricey

 

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Many beginners feel that the price may seem lower than they expected, but the first thing to do is to create an "entry price" that will sell .

The number of views and likes will give you an idea of buyer interest, making it easier to adjust the price.

Auction strategies for beginners to sell at a high price on Yahoo! Auctions

Unlike Mercari, the price on Yahoo! Auctions varies greatly depending on who is buying it .

It is not uncommon for genres that are of particular interest to enthusiasts and collectors to be priced higher than the market rate.

On the other hand, there are cases where you get the timing or end time of your auction wrong and end up with almost no bids, resulting in a loss.

In this chapter, we will clearly introduce tips for increasing bids that even beginners can use , how to think about buy-it-now prices , and how to convey information that will appeal to collectors .

If you want to secure rare items that are likely to attract bids in bulk, purchasing from a warehouse on an open day is the quickest way → Guide to Open Days for Used Clothing Warehouses (OLDFLIP)

How to think about listing timing and end times to increase bids

On Yahoo! Auctions, the closing time has the biggest impact on the number of bids, rather than the starting price. In particular, prices often spike in a "catch-up" just before the end, so it's important to set your bid at a time when bids are most likely to be placed.

✅ Ending time when bids are likely to increase

- Weekdays from 8pm to 11pm (people are more likely to be at home and browsing on their smartphones)

・The most participants are around 10pm on Sundays

・The number of "watches" tends to increase suddenly 48 to 24 hours before the end

Why is the night so strong?

→ Yahoo! Auctions is a competitive market
This is because bids are most concentrated in the evening when work and housework are finished .

 

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❌ Conversely, times you should avoid

- Weekday daytime (cannot watch due to work or housework)

- Early morning or after 3am (bidding tends to stop)

- Mornings on public holidays (view numbers drop when people are out)

 

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✅ Basic strategy for listing timing

・Listings are held Thursday through Friday

Ends Sunday night

・Enable automatic extension (enabled by default) to increase the winning bid amount

How to set a buy-it-now price and the conditions for it to be raised

Listings that sell for a high price on Yahoo! Auctions don't just wait for bids to come in, they have a "design to attract bids." The key to this is the balance between the buy-now price (maximum price) and the starting price (entry price) .

✅ Basic rules for selling at higher prices

・Starting price is low (create an "entrance" that attracts people)

・Set the buy-it-now price slightly above the desired price (ensuring a ceiling)

・The more bids there are, the stronger the impression of "rarity" becomes, and the higher the price becomes.

 

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❌ Common mistakes

・I put the desired price up from the beginning and no bids were made

・No immediate purchase → There is no ceiling, so buyers are hesitant

・The starting price is too high and "no one will bid"

 

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✅ These are the three "conditions for lifting"

1. The entry point for bidding is low (it is psychologically easy to participate)
   
   

2. The number of viewers increases, creating a situation where "other people want it"
   
   

3. It is set during the time when bidding occurs just before the end of the race.
   
   

How to provide information that is important to enthusiasts and collectors

The reason why items fetch "higher prices than you can imagine" on Yahoo! Auctions is because the buyers are not people who "want it" but people who "have been searching for it for a long time."

The points that appeal to this demographic are completely different from those aimed at the general public.

✅ Information collectors want to know

- What model is it (year, model number, release date)?

・Not only the feeling of use but also the storage condition (humidity, whether or not the box is present, etc.)

- Presence or absence of accessories (tags, instruction manuals, bags, replacement parts)

- Minor differences in specifications such as color, lot, and country of manufacture

A word of background on why you are letting go

If you want to check the year, tag, and details before purchasing, then pick your item and get a good appraisal.

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Why do you need so much detailed information?

→ Collectors are not “practical items”
Because you are buying "value" and "story."

 

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✅ An example of how adding a little information can increase the price

・Not just the model number, but "initial lot of XX year"

・Storage environment such as "no smoking, no pets"

・Reassurance with "outer box in mint condition" and "instructions included"

 

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The less general users care about information, the more valuable it is seen by enthusiasts.
Just by being aware of this, the winning bid price for the same item can change significantly.

A quick guide to help you decide which one to sell first

So far, we have learned that Mercari emphasizes speed, while Yahoo! Auctions aims for high prices.

However, when it comes to actually listing an item, you will likely find yourself wondering, "Which way should I list this?"

In this chapter, we will provide a quick reference chart that allows you to work backwards from the buyer's purpose rather than relying on intuition, and organize the information so that you can instantly determine which products are suitable for which purpose.

Replenish rotating inventory all at once → Purchase boxes of assorted used clothing

Speed is the priority and clearance is on Mercari

Mercari is ideal if you want to cash out quickly, or if your goal is to organize your inventory or get rid of unwanted items. The reason is that there are many people looking for something they can buy right now, rather than just people who are looking for something. If the price is reasonable and the size and condition are easy to understand, you will get a response immediately after listing.

Suitable product examples

・Clothes and daily necessities that you no longer wear

・Fast brands (Uniqlo, GU, ZARA, etc.)

・Small appliances and miscellaneous goods

・Seasonal items (winter clothes, heating appliances, etc.)

If your goal is speed over price, then Mercari is the way to go.

Aiming for high prices and rarity: Yahoo! Auctions

Many users on Yahoo! Auctions make "purposeful purchases" rather than "accidental purchases," and items that are particularly rare, limited, or highly collectible tend to bid higher.

The more bids there are, the more the value visually increases, so if you're lucky, it can even go above market price.

Suitable product examples

・First edition・Limited edition・Discontinued items

・Vintage clothing/designers

・Rare hobby figures and models

・Discontinued home appliances and cameras

"I really want one person" = This is an area where Yahoo! Auctions is strong.

Suppliers who can make high unit prices → Aim to purchase from the warehouse on public open days / Pick/Secure rare species with veil

When in doubt, think first about who will buy it

When you can't decide which one to sell, think about the "attributes of the buyer" rather than the product itself and you won't be confused.

In other words,
The criterion for making a decision is not to "look at the product" but to "look at the person who will buy it."

・Purchasing boxes with a focus on turnover → Assorted vintage clothing from OLDFLIP
・Selective purchasing aimed at high unit prices on Yahoo! Auctions → Bale wholesale/pick purchasing
・Purchase items wisely at events → A guide to public opening days for second-hand clothing warehouses

summary

The main reason why you feel like you can't sell your items on Yahoo! Auctions or Mercari is that you don't know "who to sell to" rather than "where to list ."

Mercari emphasizes speed and is easily accessible to a wide range of users , making it ideal for clearing out inventory or quickly selling daily necessities and used clothing.

On the other hand, on Yahoo! Auctions, the more rare or sought-after an item is, the more likely it is to attract bids, and rare items tend to sell for higher prices.

In other words, even if you sell the same product, the results can change dramatically just by changing the location where you sell it.

In the future, by choosing where to list your products based on the buyer's psychology rather than on which is easier to use, you will be able to prevent unsold items and increase profitability.

If you can choose the right place to put your money, even beginners will be able to see steady results, and the possibilities for it as a side job will expand.

Using the information in this article as a reference, try to determine the "right location for your listing" and get a feel for the success of your next listing.