Risk: Moderate

Selling on Mercari can be a moderate risk side hustle for beginners starting from scratch, especially if they can't afford to lose money. Potential losses could include money invested in inventory, time spent on listings, energy dedicated to customer service, and confidence if sales are slow. Beginners have experienced spending money on inventory and not seeing immediate returns, leading to financial setbacks. There are startup costs for purchasing inventory and shipping items that might not pay off if items don't sell as expected. Online discussions highlight instances of failing to make a profit or losing money due to wrong pricing strategies, poor product selection, or lack of marketing skills.