Poshmark leaves community banned and confused

Resellers utilize automation for many Poshmark tasks— sending offers to likers, dropping prices, sharing own and community listings, and of course, relisting (which my phone will forever call “relishing”).

All of these activities are necessary to survive the Poshmark algorithm and make sales, but relisting is the most crucial. And by automating these time-consuming tasks, resellers have more time to source and list fabulous items.

But as of May 1, Poshmark has enacted a new policy to deter “excessive listing renewal” which says listings can only be renewed/relisted after 60 days.

Why, Poshmark, why?

Most resellers are bewildered by this change for the simple fact that it will cause sales to inevitably slow down (and that’s how Poshmark makes money, at least last time I checked).

So if sales are going to slow down, why is Poshmark doing this?

Poshmark claims the change is to improve the shopping experience for buyers. Not gonna lie, I can see their point. I’m sure there are sellers that relist excessively in both quantity and time frame, but why not address it with those sellers? Why make such a drastic rule change that applies to all sellers? (And why punish sellers who have not violated the new rule?)

The only reason I can fathom is that they want more app activity— since we can’t relist to make sales, they want us to drop prices, share, comment on bundles, go live, etc.

Poshmark wants to get back to Poshmark basics, but resellers are way beyond that.

Poshmark needs to recognize how the game has changed; and yes, they have helped shape the reselling world, but they cannot control it.

Their favorite manipulation tactic is crumbling

Poshmark loves to harp on and on about #PoshLove and the #poshmarkcommunity to make its users feel a sense of belonging. It’s a great tactic really: make users feel emotionally attached to a community, but it’s really a shopping app. Genius.

However, actions speak louder than words, so Poshmark can preach about community until the end of (pacific) time, but Poshers will not forget how they were treated.

Silence from the CEO

The relisting policy change itself is confusing and upsetting enough, but what is really damaging Poshmark’s reputation is its horrendous rollout and refusal to apologize.

Since May 1, Poshers have taken to social media sharing screenshots of emails stating they’ve been banned from listing for 6 days (on average). Most Poshers are dumbfounded because they didn’t do anything that violated the new policy. Some were listing, some were deleting sold items, and some weren’t doing anything at all!

Naturally, they reply asking what specific activity triggered this ban, and their quandary is met with a generic response.

Poshers are not accustomed to this cold-shoulder behavior. Usually after a social media outcry, CEO Manish Chandra will address the community’s concerns in a public letter. Not this time.

The silence is deafening

This sudden change in behavior is giving Poshers whiplash. No one can seem to figure out why we are being treated so poorly.

I can’t imagine that PoshFest will have the same energy as years past. Poshmark has made changes before, some of which have stuck, but none this drastic and disappointing. Poshers are angry, but most of all we’re hurt.

So what now?

My plan is to stay mad and continue making money one way or another. I’m a #poshboss with or without Poshmark.

Perhaps Poshmark is trying to “even the playing field” for sellers. Only time will tell. If relisting really did tilt the playing field and more sellers are making sales, aka Poshmark doesn’t lose money, then policy stays. But if relisting is simply how sellers manage to stay alive in the poshmark algorithm….

If I may

I’d like to state what I think the relisting policy should be. Every 30 days. It’s reasonable. Every 60 days— EVERY TWO MONTHS— is not.

I also like how every 21 days sounds. It’s very Poshmark: it has a ring to it, it’s an odd number, it’s unexpected, it’s just every 3 weeks but we’ll say every 21 days. Very on brand. I like it.