Convenience or Control? Poshmark’s New USPS Supply Rollout Raises Questions For Sellers
UPDATE 2-10-26
As predicted, ordering free USPS Ground Advantage supplies via email or phone is being phased out as Poshmark sellers are being directed to order through the app instead - but there's just one problem, not all sellers have access to in app order at this time.
Per a post on Reddit, sellers are having their orders placed via email or phone canceled by the packaging supplier:
But the seller says they are unable to place an order through the app at this time.
Sent in an email requesting shipping supplies and got this response. I wasn’t aware of this update (blog post is dated Jan 30), but the ability to request in app seems to be getting implemented gradually as I don’t have the ability to request via the app yet.
Heads up in case others didn’t know. I asked if my order could still be processed since I can’t do it in app (and have no idea when I will) but haven’t heard back yet. Requesting through the app would definitely be more convenient but not without access…
As mentioned below, that puts Poshmark in direct control of how many supplies sellers can order - or whether they can order at all.
Do you have access to order USPS supplies through the Poshmark app? Let us know in the comments below!
Poshmark is rolling out an easy way to order USPS supplies through the app - but could there be an ulterior motive and another shoe waiting to drop on sellers?
Back in September, the platform announced big changes to their shipping offering, switching from USPS Priority Mail to exclusively using Ground Advantage in hopes that lower rates will spur purchases despite slower delivery times.
To sweeten the deal, Poshmark told sellers they also negotiated exclusive access to free Ground Advantage shipping supplies, which supposedly required providing your closet ID and details to order.
But the initial roll out left lingering questions about whether someone with a Poshmark account could also use the supplies for shipping on other platforms where they sell, like eBay and Mercari, and sellers also reported some early difficulties getting in touch with the third party supplier handling the orders.
Liz Morton
Sellers across social media have pointed out that Ground Advantage supplies are not exclusive to Poshmark and while they aren't generally available on the USPS site or in post office locations, they have been made available to some large business shippers with negotiated USPS contracts since shortly after Ground Advantage service was launched in 2023.
Now, sellers report that Poshmark is adding a handy link directly in the app to place orders for these free shipping supplies - allowing Poshers to skip the hassle of calling or emailing the third party supplier directly.
According to some sellers on Reddit, that convenience comes with limits as orders placed through the app can only select certain quantities and will have to wait until after the suppliers are delivered to order more.
I just got this option today as well, along with an email saying it may not be rolled out to all users yet. I just placed an order to test, it looks like we’re limited to 100 total items, and some have quantity units lower than that.
I mainly use the padded polymailers and was only able to order a max of 50, it states I will be able to place an additional order after they are delivered.
I guess we’ll find out soon if they arrive more quickly!
I saw this and ordered yesterday. The limit per order is 100 total pieces. One order allowed at a time: You can't order more until your current order has been delivered.
So far, I've not received any email confirmation of the order, but the order history under the Request USPS Supplies section shows my order & quantities in progress.
But there's also another potential motive for Poshmark to move the supply ordering process in app - control.
When the supplies first became available, some resellers across social media suggested trying to game the system by creating a Poshmark selling account (even if you don't plan to sell on the platform) just to have a closet name to provide to the supplier when placing an order.
As Poshmark phases in ordering supplies through the app, they could also at some point in the near future phase out the ability to order directly through the supplier - and if they did that, it would not be difficult for them to simply limit or even deny access to supplies based on actual selling activity.
Misuse of free postal supplies has been a perennial problem for USPS, for example padded Priority Mail envelopes are often used for internal cushioning in place of expensive bubble wrap and fee Priority and Express boxes may be cut down to be used for padding or inserts for extra protection.
The cost of offering these free supplies is supposed to be covered by the rates charged on the shipments which use them, but time and time again we've seen how these programs can be ripe for abuse as the Post Office apparently doesn't have the resources or will to enforce the regulations.
Liz Morton
Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express rates likely have more room to bake margin in to cover potential misuse of free supplies, but shippers are much more sensitive to rate hikes for Ground Advantage - especially since there's already a significant increase set to take effect later this month.
Liz Morton
As part of the switch to Ground Advantage, Poshmark worked out negotiated rates with USPS which allow them to offer $6.49 flat rate shipping for anything up to 5 lbs and it's entirely possible that if USPS is seeing significant misuse of these free supplies, they could use that agreement to pressure Poshmark into cracking down on quantities and access.
Do you have access to order USPS Ground Advantage supplies through the Poshmark app? Let us know in the comments below!
