即購入 vs コメント必須
The unwritten rule about whether to comment before buying — and how to spot which sellers expect it.
On Mercari, anyone can buy any listed item instantly. But many Japanese sellers add "コメント必須" (comment required) or "即購入禁止" (no instant buy) to their listings — meaning you must message them first to confirm availability. Buying without commenting can result in immediate cancellation, blocked accounts, and bad ratings, even though it's technically allowed.
How to detect comment-required listings
Before buying anything, scan the description for these red flags. Sellers don't always put them at the top — sometimes they're buried mid-description.
即購入はご遠慮ください
| What it means | Please refrain from instant purchase. |
| When to send | This is what to LOOK FOR in the description, not send. |
| Tone | If you see this, you must comment first before buying. |
コメント必須でお願いします
| What it means | Please comment first (it's required). |
| When to send | This is what to LOOK FOR in the description, not send. |
| Tone | Same meaning as 即購入禁止 — comment first is mandatory. |
在庫確認後ご購入ください
| What it means | Please purchase after confirming stock availability. |
| When to send | This is what to LOOK FOR in the description, not send. |
| Tone | Common on listings where the seller has multiple platforms. They want to make sure they haven't sold it elsewhere first. |
How to comment before buying
If a listing requires a comment, send something short and polite. Don't ask multiple questions. Just confirm availability.
はじめまして。 こちらの商品、まだ購入可能でしょうか？ ご確認よろしくお願いいたします。
| What it means | Hello (first time messaging). Is this item still available for purchase? Please confirm, thank you. |
| When to send | Before buying any listing that requires comments. |
| Tone | Polite-default. The 'はじめまして' (first time meeting) is standard for opening messages with strangers in Japanese. |
Don't comment and immediately buy. Wait for the seller to confirm stock and give you the green light to purchase. Some sellers will then create a 専用 (private/reserved) listing just for you — buy from that one, not the original.
Why this rule exists at all
It seems strange that sellers can demand comments when Mercari technically allows instant buy. The reason traces back to multi-platform listing.
他サイトにも出品中のため、コメントなしでの購入はお控えください。
| What it means | Because this item is also listed on other sites, please refrain from purchasing without commenting first. |
| When to send | This is context — what sellers actually mean. |
| Tone | Many Japanese sellers list the same item on Mercari, Yahoo Auctions, Rakuma, and PayPay Furima simultaneously. Comments give them time to deactivate other listings before someone buys instantly. |