Buy it, love it or exchange it with Mercari’s Fashion Exchange program for bags and shoes. From October 15 through November 21, eligible shoes and bags are part of our limited-time Fashion Exchange program. If your purchase isn’t quite right, you can start a return process to exchange for Mercari credit. For full program details, please see the terms below.
Looking to exchange an item? Here’s how
Full list of eligible categories:
Shoes
- Women > Shoes
- Men > Shoes
- Kids > Girls' Shoes
- Kids > Boys' Shoes
Bags
- Women > Handbags
- Vintage & collectibles > Bags and purses
- Men > Men's accessories > Backpacks,
- Men > Men's accessories > Bags
- Men > Men's accessories > Briefcases
Note: Only items clearly marked “Fashion Exchange eligible” and priced at $100 or less will qualify.
FAQs
What is the Mercari Fashion Exchange?
Mercari’s Fashion Exchange is a limited-time program that lets shoppers exchange eligible shoes and bags — priced at $100 and under — for Mercari credit. From October 15 through November 21, shop eligible items with confidence. If it’s not quite right, exchange them*.
Sellers still get paid, receive an automatic rating, and we’ll manage the entire exchange process.
*Limitations apply. See full terms below.
Finding Eligible Items
For Buyers
What items are eligible?
Only shoes and bags purchased between October 15 and November 21, 2025 that are marked “Fashion Exchange eligible” qualify. International shipments are excluded. Bundles only qualify if all items are eligible and each item is under $100. Please see the Fashion Exchange terms for full item eligibility requirements and program details.
How do I know if an item is eligible for the Fashion Exchange Program?
Eligible items include Women’s, Men’s shoes and bags, priced at $100 or less, and clearly labeled as "Fashion Exchange eligible" on the item detail page and at checkout. See below for specific categories.
International shipments are excluded from the Fashion Exchange program.
Why wasn’t my order eligible for exchange?
Common reasons include:
- The order was not shoes or a bag
- The item was priced over $100
- The order was rated before the return request
- The order was a bundle with ineligible items
- The item was mislabeled and doesn’t qualify (Mercari may inspect returns to verify eligibility).
For Sellers
Do sellers still get paid?
Yes! Sellers are paid in full as soon as the exchange is requeste. The buyer’s exchange is handled separately by Mercari and does not affect your earnings.
Will an exchange hurt my seller rating?
No. Exchanges do not affect your seller rating. Auto-feedback with 5 stars is applied and buyers cannot leave feedback when they exchange an item.
Does the seller need to do anything if my item is exchanged?
No action is required. Once the item ships and you’re paid, your side of the transaction is auto-rated and completed. Mercari manages the exchange process with the buyer.
Why was my item exchanged?
Most exchanges happen because of fit issues (too small/too big) or because the item wasn’t quite right for the buyer. It’s not a reflection of your transaction quality.
Will I be notified if my item is exchanged?
Yes, our customer support team will send you a message confirming the exchange.
How does Fashion Exchange benefit me as a seller?
More confident buyers mean fewer abandoned carts and higher conversion rates. Fashion Exchange helps buyers shop with confidence, while you still get paid.
If You Want to Exchange
How do I start an exchange?
You must request an exchange by contacting Mercari before you rate the item and within 72 hours of delivery.
- Go to your order in the app or on the website.
- Select "Help" — do not rate the seller.
- Select “This is about returning my purchase” and proceed as if it is a return
- Provide a brief explanation and upload clear photos of:
- The item
- The packaging
- The shipping label
- We’ll email you an exchange label.
- Drop off the item at UPS or a UPS Access Point within 3 business days.
Once your return is received and confirmed by Mercari, a credit will be issued to your account.
Which return reasons are covered under Fashion Exchange?
The Fashion Exchange covers exchanges for fit, smell, or even if it's just not quite right. Other issues may still be covered under Mercari’s standard Return Policy.
You can exchange the entire bundle only if all items in the bundle are Fashion Exchange eligible. If any item in the bundle is ineligible, the order does not qualify.
Can I exchange a portion of my order?
No. You must exchange the entire order. Bundles qualify only if all items are eligible.
Can I exchange after I rate the item?
No. Exchanges must be requested before a rating is submitted. Once you rate the item, the transaction is considered final.
Shipping your exchange
How long do I have to drop off my package?You have 3 business days from when the exchange is approved to drop off your package at UPS or UPS access points.
What if I missed the exchange period?
Exchange requests must be submitted within 72 hours of delivery. We cannot accept exchange requests after this window has passed.
After You’ve Exchanged
Do I get a refund to my card or bank?
No, Fashion Exchange credits are added to your Mercari balance to shop again.
How long does it take to get my credit?
Once your return is scanned by the shipping carrier, credits are usually available in your account within 1–2 weeks. You’ll receive a notification when they’re ready.
How will I know when my credits are ready?
You’ll receive a notification in your app and by email as soon as your Mercari credits are available to use.
Where will my credits appear?
Your credits will show in your Mercari Credits page. You can see them under Settings → Credits, and use them immediately toward your next purchase. Please note that credits are not considered Mercari Balance and may not be withdrawn to a bank account or debit card.
How long do I have to use my credits?
Credits expire 30 days after issuance and cannot be reissued.
How does the credit work?
Your credit can be applied to any purchase on Mercari. It cannot be withdrawn to a bank account or debit card.
Mercari may deny an exchange or remove credit if:
- The returned item doesn’t match the original order
- Not all items from the order were returned
- The request violates Mercari’s Terms of Service
- There is suspected fraud, promotion abuse, or collusion
- We may also request additional information to verify the return.
Additional information may be requested to verify the return.
Fashion Exchange Program Terms of Service
Between October 15, 2025 at 12:00 AM PDT and November 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM PDT (the “Eligibility Period”), Mercari is offering a limited-time Fashion Exchange program that provides buyers with the option to exchange qualifying purchases in select shoes and bags categories, where the individual item price is $100 or less (each an “Eligible Item”).
If an item submitted for exchange was purchased as part of a bundle that includes ineligible items (e.g., non-fashion items or items priced above $100), the entire order will be ineligible for the Fashion Exchange program. Only items individually listed in approved categories and clearly marked as “Fashion Exchange eligible” at checkout will qualify.
For fashion items that will not fit under Mercari’s standard return criteria and that are approved for exchange as part of the Fashion Exchange program, such as the item does not fit or the item has a smell, Mercari will issue your account Mercari credits that will expire 30-days after issuance to purchase another item on the platform. Please note that for fashion item returns that fall within Mercari’s current return criteria such as the item is not as described or counterfeit, Mercari standard return process will apply.
In order to be eligible to for the Fashion Exchange program, the following criteria must be met: (i) the Eligible Item(s) must have been purchased within the Eligibility Period; (ii) the fashion item to be exchanged must be an Eligible Item; (iii) if the Fashion Exchange involves a bundle purchase and all items within the bundle are eligible for the Fashion Exchange program, then all items within the bundle must be returned and (iv) you must contact Mercari customer support within the 72-hour window following delivery of the item to request an exchange. If the exchange is approved, Mercari will complete the transaction so that the seller can be paid and the customer support representative will provide you with instructions regarding how the item should be sent to Mercari for the exchange.
After Mercari receives the item for exchange, a Mercari customer service representative will review and inspect the item to make sure that it matches the item that has been requested for exchange. If the customer service representative approves the exchange after reviewing the returned item, Mercari will issue Mercari credits with a 30-day expiration period. The credits will be in your account within 24 hours of issuing the credit. You will be issued Mercari credits that will include the purchase price of the returned item minus the value of any coupons that have been applied, Buyer Protection Fee for the item and if the item is not part of a bundle, the Buyer Paid Shipping Fee and applicable sales tax. You can then use the Mercari credits to exchange for another item on the platform.
Mercari reserves the right to deny an exchange in the event that: (i) the item that is sent to Mercari, in Mercari’s sole discretion does not match the item for which the exchange is requested; (ii) not all the items from the order was returned; (iii) there has been a breach of the Mercari Terms of Service; and/or (iv) Mercari suspects that the return is part of some form of fraud, promotion abuse, collusion or other action in violation of the Mercari Terms of Service. Mercari reserves the right to remove any credit if we determine that it was obtained through a violation of the Terms of Service. In some cases, Mercari may require additional information to fulfill an exchange request.