What is Poshmark? Here's how to use the online marketplace to buy and sell clothing and accessories

Meira Gebel

Jan 9, 2021, 03:17 IST

What is Poshmark? Here's how to use the online marketplace to buy and sell clothing and accessories

Poshmark allows users to buy and sell clothing online.Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Poshmark is an e-commerce website and app where users can buy and sell used or new clothing and accessories straight from millions of closets.
Buying and selling clothes on the Poshmark app is easy and doesn't require much setup time.

Poshmark launched in 2011 as an e-commerce platform where users could buy and sell used or new clothing and accessories. Poshmark quickly became a multimillion-dollar retailer, rising up to the ranks of eBay and Etsy at a time when social networking apps were just gaining traction. In 2019, Poshmark doubled its revenue paid to sellers from $1 billion to $2 billion in one year.

Poshmark is a social commerce platform and mobile app for buying and selling garments, founded by Poshmark CEO Manish Chandra. Fashionistas and entrepreneurs alike take to the platform to buy, share, and sell clothing and accessories, joining a community of seven million sellers and 40 million total members. Unlike eBay, Amazon or thredUP, Poshmark offers a social networking feature where users can follow others, as well as like, share, and comment on clothing listings.

Poshmark also hosts daily virtual "Posh Parties" where you can list your qualifying item in a live party for a chance at more eyes on your listing. For example, if there is a party just for Nike attire, you could list your Nike shoes, leggings, or accessories for more exposure.

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Selling on Poshmark

If you have a few unworn items in your closet that you'd rather swap for a piece that will be more useful, listing them on Poshmark is simple and convenient.

First, sign up or log in using the mobile app. At the bottom, select the Sell icon, depicting a camera.

Take a couple photos of your item, edit them how you'd like using the photo tools and filters, then select Next. Under Listing Details, fill out as much information as you can about the item. Be sure to include a description of what you are selling, a title, category (for example: shoes, skirts, dresses, etc.), the quantity, size, brand, color, and price. While it is free to list an item, once that item has sold, Poshmark will take a fee. For items listed under $15, Poshmark will take $2.95. For all items listed above $15, Poshmark will take 20%.

Other users can make offers on your listing - offers you can either accept or deny. You will be notified of offers in the "News" tab at the bottom of the screen.

Once an item has sold, meaning a user has agreed to pay for your item at its listing price, you will get a notification to pack up your item for shipping. Poshmark will email you a prepaid shipping label. You will get your money deposited into your preferred payment method only after the user who bought your item receives it and marks it as received in the app.

Buyers have three days to notify Poshmark if they want a refund.

Buying on Poshmark

Buying clothing and accessories on Poshmark is an easy and safe process.

Poshmark has many categories and sections to browse through, as well as a search function if you know you want a specific item. The main feed on the app also shows various Posh Parties happening, as well as new listings and listings catered to your search history. You can also "like" an item you're interested in to refer back to it at another point.

You can filter your search results to show your desired size, brand, category type, condition, price, and color. Poshmark also has a "My Size" feature where you can pre-set all your size requirements, ranging from sweaters to shoes.

Once you find an item you'd like to purchase, you can either extend an offer or buy it. If you want to make an offer, select Offer. Next, type in your offer amount. All offers are bids, which expire within 24 hours. If a seller accepts your bid, the amount you offered will be charged to your payment method. A seller can also respond with a counter offer.

However, if you'd like to buy an item there and then, the payment will be deducted. Sellers are encouraged to pack and ship their sold items within 72 hours. You should get notifications of an order confirmation, shipping confirmation, and tracking number within the app, or go to your account (the tab with your username at the bottom) and select My Purchases.

When you receive the item in the mail, make sure to go into the app and mark it as such. You will then have three days after delivery to make a claim to Poshmark for a refund or return if the item you received did not match its listing description. If Poshmark approves your claim, you will be emailed a shipping label and issued a refund.