Is Selling Video Games On Mercari Profitable
Last updated: April 2026 ·affiliate disclosure
Most video game sellers on Mercari see net margins between 35% and 55% after fees, assuming you're buying used games at reasonable wholesale prices. Your actual profit depends heavily on what you pay for inventory and what condition the games are in. If you're sourcing games intelligently—buying bulk lots at estate sales or liquidation events—Mercari can work. If you're buying retail or from other marketplaces, you'll struggle to hit breakeven.
Mercari Fees for video games Sellers
Mercari charges a flat 10% selling fee on every transaction, plus 2.9% + $0.30 for payment processing if the buyer pays with card. On a $40 video game sale, you're looking at $4.00 (10% seller fee) + $1.46 (payment processing) = $5.46 total, leaving you $34.54. Shipping is your buyer's problem on most listings, but if you offer free shipping, that comes directly out of your margin. The 10% fee is non-negotiable and applies whether you're selling a loose cartridge or a complete-in-box collector's edition.
Profit Margin Benchmarks
Good margins: You buy a used PS4 game for $3, list it at $18, and pocket $12.54 after fees (70% margin). This requires smart sourcing. Average margins: You buy a game for $8, list at $20, net $11.54 after fees (58% margin). This is realistic if you're paying fair prices at local thrift stores. Poor margins: You buy at $12, list at $20, net $5.54 after fees (28% margin). You'll see this happen if you overpay for inventory or list items that won't move, forcing discounts.
Calculate your actual numbers
The margins above are averages. Your real profit depends on your specific price, costs, and volume.
Run Your Mercari Profit Calculation →Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Selling video games on Mercari is profitable if—and only if—you control your cost basis. You need to source games for $3–$6 each and sell them at $15–$25 to hit 50%+ margins. If you're paying retail prices or shipping items that don't sell quickly, you'll lose money. The market is competitive and margins are thin. Do this only if you have reliable access to cheap inventory. Otherwise, your time is better spent elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the exact Mercari video game fees?
Mercari charges 10% on your sale price as a selling fee, plus 2.9% + $0.30 for card payment processing. On a $30 game, you pay $3.00 + $1.17 = $4.17 in fees total. If the buyer uses another payment method, you only pay the 10% seller fee.
What video game margins should I expect on Mercari?
If you source well, expect 50–70% margins on each sale. A game bought for $4 and sold for $16 nets you $11.46 after fees (72% margin). Average sellers hit 40–55% margins. Margins below 30% mean you're either overpaying for stock or underpricing your listings.
How much do Mercari video game sellers make monthly?
A casual seller moving 10–15 games per month at $15–$20 each makes $1,500–$2,250 gross, or $525–$1,238 net profit after fees. A serious seller moving 50+ games monthly can clear $2,500–$5,000 net, but this requires consistent sourcing and daily listing management.
Is it worth selling video games on Mercari in 2026?
It's worth it only if you have cheap inventory access and can move 20+ games monthly. Expect 40–60% net margins after all fees. Competition is high and the market is saturated with casual sellers, so you need an edge—either bulk sourcing deals or expertise in rare/collectible games.
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| Platform | Calculator | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook Marketplace | Open calculator → | View full breakdown → |
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