Is the resale app legit, or is it the seller?
When people ask “is Depop legit?” or “is Mercari legit?”, they usually mean “will I get my money back if this seller cheats me?”. The apps themselves are long-running businesses. What protects you is their buyer protection, and it has conditions: you paid through the app, and you reported the problem in time.
A Business Check of the platform’s own domain confirms the company behind it. It cannot rate an individual seller’s account, which lives inside the app: for that, use the seller’s ratings, history and the rules below.
Buyer protection on each resale app, and how long you have
| Platform | What is covered | Time to report | Paid outside the app |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercari (US) | Refund issues raised before the order is rated | Mercari rates the transaction automatically within 72 hours of delivery; after that, no returns or refunds | Not protected |
| Poshmark | Item never shipped or not matching the listing (Posh Protect) | Within 3 days of delivery, then payment is released to the seller | Not covered |
| Whatnot | Not as described, wrong or missing, not authentic, broken or unusable | Up to 30 days from purchase or 14 days from delivery, whichever comes first | Not covered |
| StockX | Orders inspected before shipping, or shipped by a StockX Verified Seller, backed by its Buyer Promise | See the Buyer Promise terms | Not applicable: you buy from StockX’s checkout |
| Depop | Purchases checked out and paid on Depop | See Depop’s buyer protection page | Excluded (PayPal, bank transfer or meetups arranged outside Depop) |
Sources: Mercari refunds and returns and safety guidelines, Posh Protect, Whatnot Buyer Protection and payment security, StockX: our process, Depop buyer protection.
The resale scams that cost buyers their protection
- “Pay me directly, it’s cheaper.” A seller offers a discount for PayPal Friends and Family, Zelle, a bank transfer or crypto. Mercari, Poshmark and Whatnot all say these payments are not covered.
- The fake payment page. A seller or “buyer support” sends a link to a checkout page that copies the app. Check the address: it is not the platform’s domain.
- Photos that are not the item. Stock photos, photos lifted from another listing or AI-generated images hide the real condition. Ask for a photo with today’s date written next to the item.
- Fakes on luxury and sneaker listings. Peer-to-peer apps do not inspect every item; StockX’s model is different, and Whatnot covers items that are not authentic within its window.
- Moving the chat to WhatsApp or Instagram. Messages outside the app are not visible to the platform’s support if something goes wrong.
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Check a listing photo for content credentials, AI-image signals and visible anomalies before you buy.
When a seller sends you to another site
Some sellers run their own shop and invite buyers there for “better prices”. That shop is outside the app’s protection, so treat it as any unknown online store: domain age, company, legal notice, payment methods. The scam website checker runs those checks and gives each one its source.
Any free account can run a Business Check (3 credits, out of 10 free credits a month) and see how many checks ran and how many warning signs came up. The full report, with the score, the company, the people and every source, is on the Business plan ($49 a month), with a manual review by our team within 48 hours when the AI cannot confirm everything.
The online shopping guide covers fake stores in more depth, and our trust reports publish dated checks of popular platforms as they are reviewed.
Frequently asked questions
Is Depop, Mercari or Poshmark legit?
They are established resale platforms, and each offers buyer protection when you pay through its own checkout. The risk is the individual seller. Pay only in the app, keep the conversation in the app, and report any problem inside the platform’s window.
How long do I have to report a problem on Mercari?
Mercari says it rates the transaction automatically within 72 hours of carrier-confirmed delivery, and that returns or refunds are not permitted once the order is rated. Check the item as soon as it arrives.
Is StockX legit?
StockX is an established marketplace. Its process page says every order is either inspected by its verification team before it ships or shipped directly by a StockX Verified Seller, and that every purchase is backed by its Buyer Promise.
A seller wants payment by Zelle or bank transfer. Is that safe?
It removes the platform’s protection. Mercari, Poshmark and Whatnot all state that transactions paid outside their app are not covered. Decline and pay through the app’s checkout.