7 Warning Signs of Scams When Buying a Nintendo OLED Refresh on Mercari

The 3-Day Rating Trap: Some sellers may pressure buyers to rate the item immediately upon receipt, even before they've had a chance to thoroughly inspect it. This is often done to expedite fund release before any potential issues are discovered. Always take your full 3 days to inspect your Nintendo OLED Refresh before rating.

Empty Box Shipping Scam: In this scam, a seller ships an empty box or a box with a low-value, unrelated item. They rely on the tracking showing 'delivered' to claim the transaction is complete. Always confirm you've received the actual Nintendo OLED Refresh, not just packaging.

Fake Tracking 'Delivered' Bait: Similar to the empty box scam, this involves providing fake or misleading tracking information that falsely indicates delivery. The goal is to have the transaction auto-complete before you realize the item is missing. Verify tracking details carefully.

Off-Platform Payment Inquiry: Be extremely cautious if a seller asks to complete the transaction or payment outside of Mercari's system (e.g., via Zelle, Venmo, or direct bank transfer). This is a major red flag, as it bypasses Mercari's buyer protection and makes it nearly impossible to recover your funds if something goes wrong.

Item Swap Return Fraud: This is a prevalent scam where a buyer receives the Nintendo OLED Refresh, then claims it's defective or not as described to initiate a return. They then ship back a broken, used, or entirely different item, hoping Mercari will not notice the switch. Document the condition of your console thoroughly upon arrival.

Stolen Stock Photo Listing: Scammers often use high-quality images of the Nintendo OLED Refresh that they've found online, rather than actual photos of the item they possess. If the listing's images look too perfect or generic, be suspicious. Always ask for unique, unedited photos of the actual console.

Electronic Component Swap: This advanced scam involves a buyer returning the console but replacing key internal components with faulty or older ones. This is particularly insidious for electronics like the Nintendo OLED Refresh. Meticulously check the console's serial number and components against the seller's description.