I still remember the first time I downloaded the Poshmark app back in 2017. I was skeptical. I had a closet full of clothes I didn't wear—specifically a pair of Tory Burch flats that were a half-size too small and a mountain of J.Crew sweaters—but the idea of taking photos and shipping them to strangers felt overwhelming. My first sale was a disaster. I sold a cardigan for $15, printed the label wrong, and taped it to a cereal box turned inside out. It looked terrible.
But then the money hit my account. It was real. That $12 (after fees) wasn't life-changing, but it was proof of concept.Since then, I’ve sold over 2,000 items, navigated the confusing world of Poshmark shipping, and even dealt with a few nightmares involving returns. Poshmark isn't just a garage sale app; it's a massive social economy. It has its quirks, its scams, and its frustrations, but if you know how to navigate it, it’s one of the most accessible ways to turn fabric into cash.
Is Poshmark Legit? My Safety Audit
The most common question I see on forums is simple: is poshmark legit? Or more specifically, is poshmark safe for buyers and sellers?
The short answer is yes. Poshmark.com is a publicly traded company (before being acquired) with robust buyer protections. I have bought everything from a $500 luxury handbag to a $10 t-shirt, and I have never lost money on a purchase.
However, "legit" doesn't mean "perfect." If you browse poshmark reviews or dig into poshmark reddit threads, you will see horror stories. I have my own. In 2022, I bought a "New with Tags" silk blouse. When it arrived, it smelled heavily of cigarette smoke and had a small burn hole near the hem.
Here is where the safety net kicked in. I opened a case for "Item Not As Described." I uploaded photos. Within 24 hours,Poshmark approved the return. I sent it back using a prepaid label, and I got a full refund. The system works, but you have to be willing to use the formal dispute process rather than just messaging the seller.
How Does Poshmark Work? (For Buyers and Sellers)
If you are asking how does poshmark work, think of it as Instagram meets eBay.
For sellers, it is incredibly streamlined. You snap photos in the app, write a description, set a price, and publish. There are no listing fees (you only pay when you sell). For buyers, it is a social feed. You follow closets, share items, and shop virtual "parties."
The biggest differentiator is the social aspect. Unlike eBay where you list it and forget it, Poshmark requires engagement.You have to "share" your listings to keep them at the top of the poshmark search results. I used to hate this part. I felt like I was glued to my phone, tapping "Share" thousands of times a week just to make a sale.
The Login and Setup Process
Getting started is frictionless. You can access the platform via the poshmark app (iOS and Android) or via www.poshmark.com login on a desktop.
When you create an account, you will be asked to select your country. This is crucial because poshmark usa and poshmark canada are separate marketplaces. You cannot ship across the border. I learned this the hard way when I tried to buy a rare vintage jacket from a seller in Toronto while I was sitting in New York. The system wouldn't let me checkout.
If you already have an account and are struggling with poshmark log in issues, it is usually because of social sign-in confusion. If you signed up with Facebook, you have to log in with Facebook. You can't just switch to email login without resetting your password deep in the settings.
How to Sell on Poshmark: From Closet to Cash
If you want to know how to sell on poshmark, the mechanics are easy, but the strategy is hard.
I remember listing a pair of generic blue jeans with the title "Blue Jeans Size 28." They sat for six months. Nobody found them because nobody searches for just "Blue Jeans." I eventually relisted them as "Madewell 10 High-Rise Skinny Jeans Button Fly Size 28 Wash Black Sea." They sold in two days.
Selling on poshmark is an SEO game. Your title must contain:
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Brand
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Style Name (if known)
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Material (Silk, Wool, Leather)
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Size
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Color
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Category keywords (Boho, Office, Y2K)
Here is where it gets interesting. Poshmark buyers love a deal. I rarely sell anything at full listing price. I price items 20% higher than my target number so I can send "Offers to Likers." If I want $20 for a shirt, I list it at $25. When someone likes it, I send a private offer for $22 with discounted shipping. This psychological trigger—getting a "private" deal—closes more sales than any other tactic I’ve used.
Managing listings across platforms is another beast entirely. I list on Poshmark, but I also want those items on eBay and Mercari. I use Closo 100% Free Crosslister to copy my Poshmark listings to other sites. It pulls the photos and descriptions automatically, so I don't have to re-type "Madewell High-Rise Jeans" three times. It saves me about 3 hours weekly that I used to spend copy-pasting.
Understanding Poshmark Fees and Shipping
This is the most controversial part of the platform. Poshmark fees are simple but steep.
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Sales under $15: Poshmark takes a flat $2.95.
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Sales over $15: Poshmark takes 20%.
If you sell a Gucci bag for $1,000, Poshmark keeps $200. That hurts. However, in exchange for that fee, they handle the credit card processing, the customer support, and most importantly, the shipping.
Poshmark shipping is arguably the best in the industry for heavy items. The buyer pays a flat fee (currently around $7.97) for Priority Mail shipping. This covers any package up to 5 lbs.
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The Win: I can ship a heavy pair of winter boots or a thick wool coat for $7.97. On eBay, that would cost $15-$20 to ship across the country.
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The Loss: Selling a lightweight t-shirt or a piece of jewelry is tough. Buyers hate paying $7.97 shipping for a $10 item.
I’ve had buyers message me, "Can you lower shipping?" I have to explain that I can't. Poshmark sets the rate. The only way to lower shipping is for me (the seller) to pay the difference out of my earnings, which eats into that 20% fee even more.
Navigating Poshmark Scams
If you search for poshmark scams, you will find plenty of fear-mongering. But there are two specific scams you need to watch out for in 2026.
1. The "Text Me Photos" Scam (Seller Side) You list a nice pair of shoes. Within minutes, you get a comment: "I am interested but the photos are blurry. Can you email/text the images to [phone number]?"
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Do not do this. They are trying to take you off the app to trick you into a fake payment or steal your phone number.Poshmark compresses photos, sure, but real buyers don't ask for texts.
2. The "Changed Address" Scam (Seller Side) You make a sale. The buyer messages you: "Hey, I moved! Can you ship this to my mom's house instead? Here is the address."
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Never change the address. You must ship to the address on the Poshmark label. If you manually change the label,you lose all seller protection. The buyer can claim "Item not received," and Poshmark will agree because the tracking doesn't match their system.
3. The Empty Box Return (Seller Side) This is the one that keeps me up at night. A buyer claims the item is damaged,returns it, and you open the box to find a rock or an old rag.
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My Defense: I video record myself packing high-value items (over $100). If a return comes back weird, I have proof. It sounds paranoid, but it has saved me once on a designer sunglasses sale.
If you encounter these, you might look for a poshmark customer service number or poshmark phone number. Let me save you the trouble: It does not exist. Poshmark support is email-only. If you call a number you found on Google, you are calling a scammer.
Poshmark Return Policy: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
The poshmark return policy is very strict, which is great for sellers but frustrating for buyers.
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Allowed Returns: Item not as described (wrong size sent, undisclosed stain, counterfeit).
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Not Allowed: Fit issues ("It doesn't fit me"), Buyer's Remorse ("I changed my mind").
I once bought a pair of vintage Levi's. The seller listed them as a 30-inch waist. When they arrived, I couldn't even pull them past my knees. I measured them: 26 inches. The seller had listed the tag size, but vintage denim shrinks. I opened a case with photos of a measuring tape against the waistband. Poshmark approved the return immediately.
However, I also sold a dress once where the buyer claimed the "color didn't pop like the photo." Poshmark denied her return. She was stuck with it. This is why detailed photos are your best defense.
Buying on Poshmark: Search and Strategy
Buying on Poshmark is a skill. The poshmark search bar is powerful if you use filters. If I am looking for poshmark dresses, I don't just search "Reformation Dress." I filter by:
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My Size (crucial)
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Condition: NWT (New with Tags) or NWOT (New without Tags)
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Sort by: Just In
The "Just In" sort is how you find deals. Good items priced low sell within hours. I also use the "Like" feature aggressively. If I see poshmark shoes I want but they are $100, I "Like" them. 60% of the time, the seller will send me an offer for $80 or $90 within a day.
But how do you know if $80 is a good price? I use Closo Demand Signals. It allows me to check the sold history of that item across Poshmark, eBay, and Mercari. It tells me the real market value. If Closo tells me that specific pair of shoes usually sells for $60 on eBay, I know not to pay $80 on Poshmark.
Poshmark vs Depop: Which is Better?
The depop vs poshmark debate is really a generational divide.
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Poshmark: Skews older (Millennials/Gen X). Best for brands like Madewell, J.Crew, Lululemon, Zara, and luxury handbags. It feels like a department store.
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Depop: Skews younger (Gen Z). Best for vintage, Y2K, streetwear, and unique handmade items. It feels like a cool thrift store or Instagram feed.
Comparison Table:
I sell on both. If I find a 1990s NASCAR tee, it goes on Depop. If I find a Kate Spade purse, it goes on Poshmark. You have to know your audience.
Troubleshooting and Account Management
Sometimes, you just want out. If you are searching for how to delete poshmark account, it’s buried in the settings.
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Go to Account Tab > Poshmark Support Center > Manage Account Status > Delete My Account.
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Warning: Once you delete it, your username is gone forever. You cannot reclaim it.
As I mentioned regarding poshmark customer service, relying on email is slow. Responses usually take 24-48 hours.
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Pro Tip: If you have an urgent issue (like an active order problem), reach out to them on Twitter (X) via
@Poshmarkapp. Their social media team is often faster than their email team.
Advanced Seller Strategies: Poshmark Selling Tips
To truly succeed, you need to go beyond just listing. Here are my top poshmark selling tips for 2026.
1. The "30-Minute Method" Poshmark rewards activity. I spend 30 minutes a day interacting with the app.
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10 mins: Sharing my own items.
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10 mins: Sharing other people's items (Target items)
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10 mins: Following new users. This usually triggers a wave of sales or offers.
2. Relist Stale Inventory If an item hasn't sold in 60 days, sharing it won't help. You need to delete it and create a brand new listing. This puts it back in the "Just In" feed. I use Closo 100% Free Crosslister to handle this. It has a feature where I can pull a listing down and repost it in seconds. This single habit revived my sales during the "Summer Slowdown" last year.
3. Bundle Strategy If a buyer likes two items in my closet, I immediately create a "Bundle" for them and send a private offer. It removes the friction. I say, "Hey! Saw you liked these. I can do $40 for both and I'll cover shipping."
4. Notes to Buyers I don't write handwritten thank you cards anymore (waste of paper/time), but I do wrap items in tissue paper. Presentation matters for ratings. A 5-star rating keeps your "Posh Ambassador" status safe, which supposedly helps with algorithm visibility.
Common Failures: The "Case Opened" Anxiety
I need to share a failure to keep this balanced. I once sold a wool sweater that had a tiny, pinhole moth bite on the cuff. I missed it. The buyer opened a case. My initial reaction was defensive. "I checked it perfectly! She is lying!" I accused the buyer of damaging it. Poshmark sided with the buyer (rightfully so).
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The Lesson: Take the ego out of it. Returns happen. Inspect your items under bright light. If you miss a flaw, own it. Apologize. It’s just business.
People always ask me...
Can I sell used makeup on Poshmark?
Technically, no. Poshmark's policy states that makeup must be new, unopened, and in original packaging. Used makeup is a health hazard. However, people break this rule constantly. Just because you see used lipstick listed doesn't mean it's allowed. If you get reported, your account can be suspended.
How do I get paid?
When you make a sale, the money is held in "Poshmark Limbo." It is not released to you until:
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You ship the item.
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The buyer receives it.
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The buyer "Accepts" the order in the app OR 3 days pass after delivery. Once released, you can transfer it to your bank (takes 1-3 days) or use it to buy things on the app.
Conclusion
Is Poshmark perfect? No. The 20% fee is high, the shipping cost kills low-value sales, and the need to constantly share listings is a chore. But despite all that, Poshmark remains the most user-friendly, high-traffic marketplace for fashion resale in North America.
It is safer than Craigslist, easier to ship than eBay, and has a more mature buyer base than Depop. Whether you are just trying to clear space in your wardrobe or build a legitimate side hustle, Poshmark is the place to start.
My recommendation is to start small. List 10 items this weekend. Take clear photos. Price them slightly high to allow for offers. And when you are ready to scale up and stop spending your life glued to the sharing button, look for tools to help you.
I rely on Closo to automate my cross-listing to other platforms like Mercari and eBay. It allows me to tap into Poshmark's massive audience while ensuring I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket.
Start cross-listing with Closo today—because the only thing better than a sale on Poshmark is a sale on Poshmark andeBay.
