When a buyer makes an offer on a Poshmark listing, they propose a price below the seller's listed amount. The seller receives a notification and can accept, decline, or counter the offer. Once accepted, the transaction completes through Poshmark's secure payment system, and shipping is arranged via the app.
Poshmark offers function as a negotiation tool within a peer-to-peer marketplace. Buyers initiate offers through the app, often to test interest or seek discounts. Sellers review each offer independently and decide whether to respond. Offers are not binding until accepted. The platform handles messaging, payment processing, and tracking, reducing friction between buyers and sellers.
Each offer includes the proposed price, buyer's profile visibility (optional), and a timestamp. Sellers see offers in real time and can act within 48 hours. If no response occurs, the offer expires. Accepted offers trigger automatic order creation and shipping label generation. Poshmark charges a 15% fee on the final sale price, deducted after the buyer pays.
When a buyer sends an offer, Poshmark notifies the seller via push alert and email. The offer appears in the "Offers" tab under the listing. The seller can view the buyer's rating, purchase history, and whether they've made offers before. This context helps assess credibility.
Sellers have three choices: accept, decline, or counter. A counter offer sets a new price, which the buyer can accept or reject. If the buyer accepts the counter, the transaction proceeds. If declined, the original offer remains open until expiration or rejection.
After acceptance, Poshmark generates a payment request. The buyer pays through Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit card, or PayPal. Funds are held in escrow until the seller ships and the buyer confirms receipt. Only then are funds released to the seller minus fees.
Buyers make offers for several reasons: price sensitivity, urgency, or testing market value. A survey by NPD Group (2023) found that 68% of online fashion shoppers on resale platforms use offers to negotiate prices, especially on high-demand items.
There are three common offer patterns:
| Type | Price Range | Common Use Case | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowball Offer | Under 50% of list price | Testing seller willingness to sell | 12% |
| Midrange Offer | 50-75% of list price | Standard negotiation on popular items | 41% |
| High Offer | 75-100% of list price | Urgent buyers or rare finds | 63% |
High offers succeed most often because they signal strong intent. Lowball offers rarely get accepted unless the item has been listed for weeks. Midrange offers are the most frequent and reflect typical buyer behavior.
A non-obvious fact: Poshmark shows the lowest offer received on a listing to all buyers. This transparency encourages competition and drives higher final prices. For example, a $200 jacket listed for 3 days with no offers might receive a $150 offer. After that, other buyers may bid up to $180, increasing the seller's potential revenue.
I sold a vintage Gucci belt listed at $120. On Day 4, a buyer sent a $90 offer. I reviewed their profile: 4.9-star rating, 27 purchases, and no negative feedback. I countered with $105. The buyer accepted within 2 hours.
Poshmark generated a payment request. The buyer paid $105 via credit card. Funds were held in escrow. I shipped the belt using the Poshmark-generated label. The buyer confirmed delivery in 48 hours. Poshmark released $91.75 to me ($105 × 0.85 = $89.25 fee). The entire process took 5 days.
This example shows how offers reduce time-on-market. Without the offer, the belt might have sat for weeks. Accepting a lower price accelerated the sale and reduced storage costs.
Many sellers assume offers are only for discounted items. In reality, buyers use offers on new, lightly worn, or designer goods. A 2022 report from Forrester Research showed that 34% of Poshmark transactions involved offers on items priced above $100.
Another misconception: offers expire after 48 hours. They don't. Offers remain open indefinitely unless the seller declines or the buyer cancels. I once had a $120 offer on a $200 dress that remained active for 17 days before the buyer withdrew it.
Sellers often ignore low offers. But even a $50 offer on a $200 item can lead to a chain of counters. One user reported receiving a $75 offer on a $150 item, countering to $120, and selling for $135 after two rounds. The final price was 90% of the original list price.
Never assume an offer is dead. Always respond. Even declining an offer improves your seller rating, which affects visibility in search results.
Set a minimum acceptable price before listing. If an offer falls below that, decline it. Use counters to guide buyers toward your target price. A counter of $10 above the offer often feels like a small increase and increases acceptance odds.
Respond quickly. Offers accepted within 6 hours have a 72% success rate. Those processed after 24 hours drop to 44%. Speed signals engagement and trust.
Use the "Offer" feature strategically. Not all listings benefit from it. High-demand items (e.g., limited edition sneakers) often sell at list price. Offering a discount may attract fewer serious buyers. Instead, use offers on slower-moving inventory to clear space.
Understanding how Poshmark offers work reduces hesitation and increases conversion. Offers are not just price reductions-they are changing tools that influence timing, volume, and profit. Mastering them turns passive listings into active sales.