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Online buying and selling have advantages and drawbacks. One downside is the rise of dishonest individuals exploiting both buyers and sellers. Yet, by conducting thorough research and being cautious, you can securely shop or sell on platforms like Poshmark.
- For an extra layer of security, you might want to consider signing up for Lifelock, an identity theft and fraud protection service.
Is Poshmark legit?
Poshmark is a legitimate and reliable platform for buying and selling clothing and accessories. However, similar to other online marketplaces, there’s no absolute assurance regarding the trustworthiness of individual buyers or sellers. This applies to platforms that lack extensive background checks during user registration.
Lifelock
All-in-one protection from identity theft, credit cards, scams, and online threats for you and your loved ones. In the unfortunate event of a breach, you are protected by a $3,000,000 insurance policy, covering eligible losses stemming from identity theft.
Most e-commerce sites understand the uncertainties involved in online transactions. Consequently, they implement Buyer’s and Seller’s Protection Policies, and Poshmark is no exception.
In terms of buyer protection, Poshmark ensures that sellers only receive payment after buyers receive and approve their orders.
For seller protection, Poshmark offers safeguards such as the use of prepaid and pre-addressed USPS Priority Mail shipping labels for shipments. Additionally, they add an extra layer of security by requiring signatures for orders valued over $400. These measures aim to mitigate risks for buyers and sellers engaging in transactions on the platform.
What are the scams on Poshmark that you need to be aware of
Here are some scams prevalent on Poshmark that both buyers and sellers should watch out for:
1. Transacting outside Poshmark
When using Poshmark, communicating with buyers or sellers is limited to commenting on listed items, as Poshmark doesn’t offer a messaging feature. It’s essential to avoid any requests to communicate outside the platform through email or other messaging apps.
Poshmark explicitly states on its website that they don’t provide protection for transactions conducted off its platform. This means any risks associated with such transactions fall entirely on you.
The solution to safeguard yourself is straightforward, yet some still fall victim to scams. To stay protected by Posh Protect, it’s crucial not to conduct transactions outside the Poshmark platform. This ensures you’re covered and supported within their system.
2. Buyer claiming that item is damaged
The issue of buyers claiming items are damaged is commonly faced by sellers, making it tricky to investigate without evidence like photos or videos taken before shipping.
Sellers often encounter situations where buyers claim the received items are damaged, even though the sellers are confident they shipped them in excellent condition. Some sellers even sell and ship brand-new items.
Here’s what you can do:
For Buyers: If you haven’t received your item or if it significantly differs from the description in the listing, you can open a case with Poshmark. To support your claim, you’ll need to upload photos and descriptions of the received items. Poshmark will then assess if your claim is valid.
For Sellers: Before shipping, capture videos or photos of your items. This documentation proves that you shipped the items in the condition you described in your listing.
3. Authenticity issues with designer goods
The issue of authenticity with designer goods, like handbags and clothes, isn’t confined to just Poshmark. As the demand for luxury items grows, so does the number of people selling fake products.
For buyers, here’s what to watch out for:
- New or no feedback accounts: Avoid sellers with recently created accounts or those lacking any feedback.
- Suspiciously cheap brand-new items: Be cautious of sellers offering brand-new designer goods at remarkably low prices.
- Insistence on transactions outside Poshmark: Refrain from making deals outside the platform.
- Unclear listing images: If the pictures of the items are blurry or unclear, it might be a red flag.
- Doubts about authenticity: If you have any doubts about the item’s authenticity, reconsider the purchase.
If you’ve already made a purchase and discovered it’s a counterfeit:
- File a claim promptly: Use Poshmark’s website or app to file a claim, providing supporting photos.
- Await approval: If your claim is approved, Poshmark will issue a return label and process your refund.
For sellers who know they’ve shipped an authentic item:
- Respond to buyer claims: If a buyer raises concerns about authenticity, be ready to provide proof that the item is genuine.
Poshmark offers a premium service called Posh Authenticate:
- For high-value items: Purchases over $500 are eligible.
- Direct shipping for authentication: Items are sent to Poshmark’s headquarters for inspection by a team of experts who assess logos, tags, materials, and quality.
- Confirmation of authenticity: Once verified, the item is sent to the buyer. If authenticity can’t be confirmed, the buyer gets an immediate refund.
Alternatively, you can use professional authentication services:
Though it involves a cost, these services provide assurance and peace of mind when buying or selling high-end items.
These measures help buyers and sellers navigate authenticity concerns, ensuring a safer and more reliable marketplace experience.
4. Buyer complaining about one item in a bundle
When a buyer purchases a bundle of items on Poshmark and complains about one or two specific items within that bundle, there are some important steps for both buyers and sellers to take.
For Buyers:
If you’re the buyer and you encounter an issue with a few items within the bundle, you should file a claim within three days of receiving the delivery. Include supporting photographs that showcase the problem areas. Poshmark will review your claim and guide you through the necessary steps to resolve the issue.
For Sellers:
If you’re the seller and a claim is filed against you regarding items in the bundle, Poshmark will contact you. It’s crucial to be prepared to provide evidence supporting your case, especially if you’re confident that you shipped the items in good condition or if you didn’t send any damaged items.
To Prevent Such Issues:
To avoid running into these problems, it’s advisable for sellers to photograph their items in good lighting conditions and to be transparent about any flaws or condition issues in the items they sell. This transparency can help manage buyer expectations and reduce the likelihood of disputes arising over the condition of items within a bundle.
5. Cashier check scam
The cashier’s check scam involves scammers using fraudulent cashier’s checks to pay for items online. These checks seem real because they’re backed by a bank, but they’re actually fake. Sellers who receive these fake checks and cash them may face serious consequences. They might lose the money they received, be charged fees, and even lose the items they sold.
To avoid falling victim to this scam, it’s crucial to only conduct transactions within the secure platform provided, such as Poshmark. Despite this warning, some sellers might still be tempted to transact outside of Poshmark for various reasons.
If you’ve already completed a transaction outside Poshmark and received a cashier’s check, take caution. Before shipping the item, contact or visit the bank that issued the check. Ensure the check has genuinely cleared and the funds are securely in your account. Only proceed with shipping the item once you have verified this information to prevent potential financial loss and safeguard your merchandise.
6. Counterfeit items
Be cautious of counterfeit or fake products being sold as authentic. Check for authenticity by examining photos and descriptions and verifying the seller’s credibility before making a purchase.
7. Unauthorized returns
Some scammers might attempt to return an item different from what was originally sent, claiming it’s the same product. Always document the condition of the item before shipping and address return requests through Poshmark’s official channels.
8. Phishing scams
Beware of suspicious messages or links sent by users claiming to be from Poshmark. These might aim to obtain your personal information or login credentials. Always verify communication by checking official channels or contacting Poshmark support directly.
9. Price manipulation
Sellers may falsely inflate prices and then offer deceptive discounts to create a sense of urgency for buyers. Research item values and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
10. Shipping scams
Be wary of sellers requesting additional shipping fees outside the platform’s designated process. Poshmark provides prepaid shipping labels for sellers; any deviation from this could signal a potential scam.
Staying vigilant and being aware of these tactics can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to scams while buying or selling on Poshmark. Always prioritize communication within the platform, verify details, and rely on Poshmark’s policies and support when in doubt.
Lifelock
All-in-one protection from identity theft, credit cards, scams, and online threats for you and your loved ones. In the unfortunate event of a breach, you are protected by a $3,000,000 insurance policy, covering eligible losses stemming from identity theft.
The bottom line: Poshmark scams
Selling products through third-party platforms like Poshmark might seem attractive for sellers who are new to online selling. These platforms make it easy to start selling without dealing with complex payment processes; they handle transactions and offer convenience.
However, there are limitations: you can’t expand your business extensively on someone else’s platform, they take a portion of your sales, and despite some protection from certain issues like chargebacks, you may still face return fraud, disputes, and scams.
On the other hand, traditional e-commerce like Shopify demands more responsibility from sellers but offers greater control in handling fraud and related issues.