Is Poshmark Legit?

Are you searching for a fresh and funky new outfit?

If you have a special event coming up, you’re sure to want to look your best. Depending on where you live, your access to high-quality clothing may be rather limited.

Shopping online gives you quick and easy access to thousands of clothing retailers. However, using a new online retailer for the first time can be a little daunting.

So, let’s find out, is Poshmark legit?

About Poshmark

This social commerce site was established in 2007 and is based in Redwood City, California. The site mainly deals with gently used and vintage designer clothing. Like eBay and Etsy, people can sign up to Poshmark to sell their used or unwanted designer clothing.

Is Poshmark Legit?

Poshmark has a reputation for being highly reputable. Steps are taken to protect the information of both buyers and sellers and ensure a safe shopping experience. The vast majority of people who use the platform report having a good experience.

Safety Tips for Buyers

One of the things that makes Poshmark stand out from the crowd is that payment is not released immediately. Buyers have three days to make a claim if their shipment is incorrect or doesn’t arrive at the specified time. If the buyer makes a claim within three days, the company will investigate the issue and can withhold payment. 

Here are some additional steps you can take to stay safe when using the platform to make purchases.

Keeping your bank account safe

Sellers never see payment information when you add it to the platform. Instead of paying the seller directly, your money actually goes to Postmark. After the company deducts their fee, the seller is paid by the company.

Although the platform is generally secure, private, and safe, there are risks involved when making online purchases. It is important to avoid giving sellers your bank account information for any reason. Some scammers use the incentive of a discount to obtain this information and gain access to bank accounts. 

Protecting your identity and privacy

Make sure you choose a unique username that is not connected to your real name when setting up your account. It is best to keep the information you add to your account page to an absolute minimum. This makes it more difficult for scammers to find your personal information and contact you off the platform.

However, you will need to share your mailing address when ordering an item from a seller. If this makes you uncomfortable, you can set up a post office box. Alternatively, you can have items shipped to your workplace if you prefer.

How to Make the Perfect Purchase?

You need to take extra care when ordering products from online retailers. Unless the product is fake or fails to be shipped, you cannot usually apply for a refund. Here are some ways to make sure you get what you want when purchasing clothing through the platform.

Check the size

There is no real universal size for women’s clothing. What could be listed as a small by one brand could be medium or even large with another. Therefore, you need to check the measurements of the garment carefully rather than relying on the label size. 

Read the description carefully

The product description should contain everything you need to know to make an informed decision. This should include the condition of the item and any flaws that you need to be aware of. If the description is too short or doesn’t match the photos, it might be best to stay away from it.

Carefully check the materials and brand

The description should clearly state the materials that were used to create the garment. Some materials are more durable than others and can serve as a fairly reliable indication of the overall quality. The brand should also be clearly stated, and there should be photos of the brand label that match the description. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Sellers should be happy to answer any questions that you may have. This includes providing you with extra photos if you need them and explaining the size and materials. If a seller is reluctant to answer your questions, it’s likely that they are a scammer.

Safety Tips for Sellers

People who choose to sell on this platform are also provided with some protection. It is important to choose a prepaid and pre-addressed shipping label. This allows you and the company to track the shipment and prove it if the buyer claims the shipment wasn’t sent. Here are some other things to bear in mind if you are considering selling clothes on the platform.

Receiving payment

Postmark’s seller fees are very clear and transparent. This ensures that you know exactly how much you will receive when a purchase is made. The price of the item will be released to you as soon as the buyer accepts the item. Even if the buyer fails to accept the item, you will receive the payment within four days of purchase. 

Returns

This is the main area where you need to be extra careful if you choose to sell on the platform. The buyer can refuse to accept the item and request a refund for a few reasons. If this happens, you will not receive payment and may also lose the item.

The main reason you may lose payment is if the buyer claims the item is not as advertised. Therefore, it is important to describe the items you sell in as much detail as possible. Be honest about the quality of the item and take the time to answer questions from potential buyers.

How to Spot Fake Items?

The last thing you want is to pay through the nose for designer clothing and receive a cheap knock-off. Unfortunately, this is one of the biggest risks associated with shopping for designer clothing online. Here are some simple ways to tell a fake from the real deal.

Check out the seller’s history

The seller’s About page should be detailed and easy to understand. This allows you to see how many sales the individual has made and the reviews from previous customers. Sellers who have a solid customer rating and have made a lot of sales are more likely to be legitimate. 

Review the product images

The photos of the item should exactly match the description. If you notice any inconsistencies, there is a good chance that the seller is a scammer. They may have copied fake descriptions, images, or both to try and get extra money for cheap products.

Very cheap products

While everyone loves a good deal, some prices may seem much lower than usual. Scammers may set very low prices to attract potential buyers and take their money. In this case, they may have no intention of shipping the product or might substitute it for a fake product.

Look at the label and logo

Faking the labels and logos of designer companies is fairly easy these days. However, many scammers are lazy and fail to pay attention to all the details. Carefully inspect the images of the labels and logos and compare them to those from the original designers.

Check the designer’s listing

If possible, find the product descriptions and images of the items on the website of the designer. While the seller may create their own description, the key details should match exactly. Look out for differences in sizing, color, pattern, and materials.

Damaged Products

This can be an issue for both sellers and buyers on the platform, and it is important to protect yourself. Although items can get damaged during the shipping process, it is fairly rare. The damage is usually caused before the item is shipped or by a dishonest buyer to score a refund.

Receiving damaged items

If a product arrives at your doorstep damaged, you need to reach out to the customer service team. You need to do this within three days and provide photographs of the damage. The customer service team will then make a decision about whether to issue a refund.

False claims

A buyer may make a false claim that the item they received was damaged. This can be a real nightmare for honest sellers because their reputations will be challenged. The seller will be contacted by the customer service team and will need to prove that the buyer is lying. 

Take photos

The best way to protect yourself from this potential issue is by taking photos of the item. If you are the seller, make sure you take clear photographs before packaging and shipping items. These photos will serve as proof of the condition of the items when you shipped them. Buyers can also compare their photographs of damaged items to those on the listing page of the seller.

Buyer Protection 

The company’s buyer protection policy is designed to help prevent buyers from getting scammed. Buyers can apply for a full refund if they don’t receive the item they order. This ensures that buyers won’t be out of pocket if a scammer pockets their cash.

Some of the other issues the refund policy covers include:

However, the policy does not cover ordering clothing that’s the wrong size. In addition, you can’t apply for a refund if you simply change your mind. You have three days from the delivery date to make a claim before your funds are released to the seller.

Love Fashion?

Then make it your life with our in-depth look at How To Be A Fashion Designer, our Fashion Designer Job Description, or the most common Fashion Designer Interview Questions you will be asked in 2023.

Or, check out some of the most popular Careers in the Fashion Industry, as well as our Seamstress Job Description or even our Makeup Artist Job Description.

If fashion retail sounds like more fun, it’s well worth taking a look at our in-depth guides to the Saks Fifth Avenue Application, the Barneys New York Application, the Neiman Marcus Application, the Ralph Lauren Application, the Levis Application, or the Guess Application for some great career opportunities.

Final Thoughts

Poshmark is a legitimate company that has approximately eight million users. The site gives fashion lovers access to hundreds of listings. While using the website is usually a safe and easy process, there are certain scams to be aware of. 

It is possible for both buyers and sellers to fall victim to scams if they are not careful. However, it is possible to avoid these if you are vigilant and know what you’re looking for. Before making a purchase, it’s important to inspect photos and descriptions carefully so that you know what you’re getting.

Happy shopping on Poshmark!