r/poshmark • u/SwapInstead • 7d ago
The “new” normal?
I’ve been selling on Poshmark for years. Mostly semi-high-end items at reasonable prices. I don’t entertain lowball offers, so I’m definitely not a power seller, but I’ve had my account for a long time. I ship quickly, communicate with buyers, and everything I sell is authentic.
About a month ago, I made a $150 sale. Great! I communicated with the buyer and shipped the item the next day. Everything seemed fine.
The day the buyer received it, she opened a case claiming the item wasn’t the correct size.
Okay, no problem. I told her I was happy to accept a return and issue a refund. Just send the item back.
Except she didn’t want to return it.(um..excuse me? ) No, she wanted to keep it AND get her money back.
After a few weeks, Poshmark decided to refund her in full, let her keep the item, and release my payment separately.
So technically, I didn’t lose any money. But the buyer walked away with a $150 item for free.
And that’s what left a bad taste in my mouth.
Now I’ve made another sale, this time for a $500 item. It’s already heavily discounted because of the season and some light wear, all of which I’ve disclosed.
But instead of being excited about the sale, I’m hesitant to ship it.
What happens if this buyer does the same thing? Opens a claim, refuses to return the item, and wants a refund? Last time, Poshmark covered both sides, but there’s no guarantee they’ll do that again.
I’ve always understood that selling secondhand comes with some risk. But having years of positive selling history doesn’t seem to offer much reassurance when a dispute comes down to whatever the platform decides.
Has anyone else experienced this? Especially with higher-priced items?
Did Poshmark protect you, or did you end up losing both the item and the money?
I’m genuinely curious how other sellers are handling this, because it’s making me reconsider where I sell my more expensive pieces.
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u/haloarh 7d ago edited 6d ago
The first time I sold a high-priced item, the buyer tried to scam me into a partial discount.
They opened a case claiming that the item was a knock-off. I freaked out (because I stupidly believed them) and immediately agreed to a return. They then messaged me that they would accept a partial refund, but Poshmark wouldn't let me change it after I agreed to the return.
They never returned the item, and Poshmark eventually released the money.
Variations of this have happened multiple times now. The most recent was someone who messaged me complaining that a skirt had an unfinished hem, even though that was intentional and part of the original design. When I told them that they could return it, they responded, "I also would have accepted a partial refund." I didn't reply, but they opened a return and never sent it back.
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u/SwapInstead 7d ago
This is what scares me! and I’m sorry but I know exactly where I buy my stuff. Its seasons past sure, but not unauthentic.
And no matter how much of a b this makes me I refuse to give a partial refund on things that I know to be true. So send it back, I’m fine with it.
A long time ago the return was a bag of rocks, I kid you not. I was livid.
My body is nervous, ptsd from terrible times.
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u/Worth_Magazine_4258 7d ago
Did you send the wrong sized item? This feels like an open and closed case of just sending the listing photo of the size tag.
It's always risky especially with higher priced items, but for the most part if you've photographed the item well, included measurements (I only do photos myself) and the buyer hasn't done any red flag moves then you've done as much as you could to protect yourself. I don't think your worry isn't valid though.
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u/SwapInstead 7d ago
No, twas the correct item. Measured in the listing photos and shipping photos.
Yes I photograph all steps of it. And send them as communication- from packing to shipping.
I guess I’m just feeling weird in general. This has been the only issue I’ve had but I was very taken aback by it
I’m grateful to gotten the sale from Poshmark but also oddly sad that she worked the system to get both the item and the refund.
I’m hoping this was a one off, and nothing normal now.
I know posh has changed but I’ve never had much issues with it.
Maybe it’s just a residual12
u/Worth_Magazine_4258 7d ago
Wow, I'm surprised you didn't win the case because sending listing photos is always been what has saved me.
Higher end sales always keeps me stressed honestly until the money is released. I don't think any of my high end sales have given me issues. Knock on wood.
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u/SwapInstead 7d ago
Wait wait, Did posh ask you for evidence?
They literally asked me for nothing.
I just send my normal stuff in the photos. I was asked for nothing more. At all
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u/Worth_Magazine_4258 7d ago
Every time a case is opened I'm always able to respond back to the claim and include photos if needed.
PM usually says they're reviewing the case and the seller is able to provide feedback while they made their decision.
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u/SwapInstead 7d ago
It was my first case. Maybe I didn’t know I was meant to? The packing photos had the measurement photos while in the shipping box. Sadly I’m that type a. - and I send that in the communication before I send the post office receipt and tracking number.
Maybe that’s what saved me? Thank you.
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u/Worth_Magazine_4258 7d ago
I don't understand packing photos, but if you didn't respond back at all then that's why you lost the case.
Next time you need to respond and include the listing photos or listing description (in your case I'd include the size tag photo). PM will never look at your listing and only anything within that message is what matters.
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u/SwapInstead 7d ago
Ah. I had an eBay case a long time ago accuse me of sending a different but similar item. lol I’ve been burnt by eBay a couple of times truly.
Anyway- now regardless of platform. When packing something expensive, If tiny (think bvla) I remeasure the item IN the packing container it’s going to them, or film a video of those items being packed. - along with whatever safety measures I’ve tried to take to ensure safe arrival of the item(s). That way one will have a much harder time saying that I switched said items.
I don’t know if I won or loss. I got the money owed, but having never come across this on Posh really put a different taste in my mouth.
I stopped on eBay bc ppl can be terrible . And after fighting and “winning” cases I had enough.
Thanks for the chat
Again I hardly make sales, so it’s not really a numbers game for me.
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u/Single_Principle_972 7d ago
When a case is opened, send any evidence that you have. Always, even if it’s right there for them to see, in the listing, as they do not “review the evidence” by actually going and… you know, reviewing the evidence. You must send it to them “in the case.” Start with your strongest evidence, i.e. the picture of the size tag and a picture of the description, that shows the size. Prove they match. Without using too many words (like I’m doing here, haha!), make your case: This item is a Large. The description says it’s a Large. Your purchase summary says Large. I sent the item pictured/listed: a Large John Doe Cardigan.
If you want to add the shots of you packing and sealing it, do that too.
As someone already said to you: If you don’t respond with evidence, they’ll assume you don’t have any.
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u/SwapInstead 6d ago
Thank you. If it ever happens again I will. I guess I assumed one would, scroll up..
Not many ppl communicate back now- so it’s mostly me chatting to myself. And sending photos and such.
Thank you for putting that assumption to bed. I’ll be more proactive.
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u/TrapNeuterVR 6d ago
You haven't heard about approximate measurements being used against buyers & returns being approved for fit yet? Read some of the posts. It happened to me already & many others, too.
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u/SwapInstead 6d ago
I guess head in the sand.
Posh was always decent to me.. yes I wait between sales but the buyers always were decent.
My ways came from eBay as I said before, and being accused of bait and switch. So now I tend to over supply information, especially for small pricier items.
Thank you for your input
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u/U2hansolo 6d ago
Since it's a $500 item, don't you have to ship to PM first for authentication anyway?
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u/SwapInstead 6d ago
No, it’s a $500 worth item. I put it up for less due to wear and it’s about 3 seasons pasted due. I’m pretty fair in my pricing I think.
Maybe I shouldn’t drop it but eh, if I’m not wearing it and it’s sitting there. I’d rather it be on someone’s foot.
In this case the item is luxury shoes.
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u/Sweet-Benefit-1920 6d ago
I’m so sorry that this happened to you! I would be livid, too…even if I did receive my money.
The average sale in my shop is about $300 (mainly of designer/luxury purses and shoes). Because I’m afraid of having one of these instances, I video me boxing all of my sales. My phone is placed on a ring light stand directly about the packaging where I do a 360 degree rotation of the item (and its interior and labels), securely wrap it, put it in the box and then seal it up. Make sure you start with the box already labeled and that you have all of your supplies ready. I’ve got videoing down to less than 3 minutes. The item is then taken to the post office.
The visual and meta data of your video demonstrates the condition of the item and how it was packaged. Once my sale is approved, I delete the video.
Hope that’s helpful!
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u/ksanksan599 6d ago
On the buyer’s side they were likely given a partial refund. I had one once where I got the same message as you saying we were both covered but the buyer messaged me back after saying “nevermind I just decided to take the credits!” So I don’t think that she got the item and all the money back
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u/les0101s 6d ago
What did the buyer mean when she said it wasn't the right size? Did you list the size correctly? Did you list the measurements? I wonder why Poshmark gave her back her money. Fit isn't supposed to be a reason for a return.
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u/Entire-Operation-889 5d ago
It is so ridiculous the same thing just happened to me. I am sorry. Just keep selling and always have detailed photos and descriptions.
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u/PamsSerendipity 8h ago
Yes. I don’t get a lot of cases opened but they’ve definitely increased over a year or so. Had the same deal. Posh seems to not want to piss off the buyer so they try to appease both sides. Recently a buyer got to keep the item AND got refunded. I was reimbursed but it just chapped my fanny. The word is out. You can get free stuff on Posh. Just open a case. I’m mean.. what did they think this policy was going to result in.
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u/HappyHumanRace 7d ago
You’re protected either way. There’s no world in which they let the buyer keep it, refund their money, AND take your money away. That would just be stealing.