Meesho positions itself as the platform for anyone to become an online seller without investment. Zero commission, no shipping fees for sellers, and a massive customer base. I tried it for 6 months selling ethnic wear. Here is the complete story.
Getting Started
Seller registration took about 30 minutes. Aadhaar verification, bank account details, and GST number (optional for sellers under Rs 40 lakh turnover). My first product listing was live within 24 hours of approval.
Month 1-2: The Honeymoon
First order came within 3 days of listing. The zero-commission model meant my margins were intact. I was sourcing kurtis from a manufacturer in Jaipur at Rs 250-400 and listing them at Rs 450-700. Meesho handles logistics — they send a pickup partner to collect packages from my home.
Sales were modest: 15-20 orders per month. Revenue around Rs 8,000-10,000 monthly.
Month 3-4: Reality Check
Returns started hitting hard. Meesho has a very customer-friendly return policy. About 25-30 percent of my orders were being returned. Common reasons: size did not fit, color looked different from photos, changed mind. Each return means I bear the shipping cost for the return trip.
Net revenue after returns dropped to Rs 5,000-6,000 monthly. The margins I thought I had were being eaten by returns.
Month 5-6: Adjusting
I learned to adapt. Better photos (invested Rs 2,000 in a ring light), detailed size charts in descriptions, more accurate color representation. Returns dropped to about 15 percent. Orders increased to 30-40 per month as my ratings improved.
Net monthly profit settled at Rs 8,000-12,000. Not life-changing but genuinely supplementary income.
What Meesho Gets Right
- Zero commission — you keep your full margin
- Logistics handled — no need to arrange couriers
- Massive customer base — you get visibility from day one
- Low barrier to entry — no website needed, no upfront investment
What Meesho Gets Wrong
- High return rates — the customer-friendly policy hurts sellers
- Price-sensitive customers — Meesho audience expects the cheapest prices
- Limited seller support — resolving disputes is frustrating
- No brand building — you are a faceless seller on a platform
Should You Try It?
If you have access to affordable products and can handle a 15-25 percent return rate, Meesho is a viable side income channel. Do not expect it to replace your primary income. Think of it as one sales channel among many.
— Sunita P., home entrepreneur and online seller based in Jaipur
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