Here’s what you should know about Depop before you buy or sell anything on the platform.
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If youโve browsed used clothing online, thereโs a good chance youโve encountered Depop.
This clothing marketplace is somewhat different from the others. Even if youโre already familiar with platforms like Grailed, Poshmark or Mercari, youโll probably still need to take some time to get used to Depop.
So, who is Depop for? What kinds of clothing can you find? Is it safe? Is Depop legit? Iโll answer these questions and more in this comprehensive review.
What Exactly Is Depop?
Depop is a social online marketplace for clothing, jewelry, and beauty. Like similar platforms or online marketplaces, itโs primarily used for buying and selling new and secondhand clothes.
It was founded in 2011 and quickly gained popularity, especially in the UK and US. In 2021, Etsy acquired Depop, but the two sites continue to operate separately from each other. Currently, the platform has over 15 million users, 90% of which are under 26.
Depop fills an interesting niche in the world of clothing marketplaces. Itโs similar to Grailed in that it tends to lean toward more expensive items, but Depopโs target audience is much younger on average, so youโll see a lot of streetwear and bohemian items. That said, you can also find a lot of unique thrifted garments.
In terms of layout, itโs pretty similar to Instagram. The main way to shop is to browse photo listings on sellersโ profiles. And like most marketplaces, you can use the built-in search engine and apply filters to look for specific items or browse certain categories.
Buying on Depop
In general, buying on Depop is similar to buying on any clothing marketplace. For more information, check out our guide to buying used clothes online.
After that, a good next step is to get familiar with the platform.
Depopโs interface is pretty different from other marketplaces. The most noticeable difference is that the listings donโt show titles when youโre browsing โ you just get a photo and a price. In order to get more information on what the listing is, you have to click on it.
This can be annoying, especially since platforms like Grailed and Poshmark display information like title, size, and even condition when in browsing mode.
The best way to combat this is to apply all necessary filters before browsing. For example, if youโre looking for medium sizes only, be sure to tick that size box in the filters instead of just including โmediumโ in your search.
Even though browsing is a bit of a pain, the actual listings are formatted quite nicely. All the information is clearly laid out, and the description section is nice and big.
You can also see information about the seller, including their location, rating, activity, and number of items sold. This is useful for quickly checking a sellerโs validity without having to go to their profile.
If you like an item, you can buy it outright or use the make offer button to counter with a lower price. (At this time, the โmake offerโ feature is only available on the mobile app).
As with all sites or apps selling online, communication with the seller is key. Itโs not a bad idea to message the seller beforehandโeven if youโre planning on buying from themโto evaluate their communication skills.
Depopโs feedback feature is much better than some of its competitors, and this is useful when shopping around. By clicking on the number next to the sellerโs star rating, you can see their reviews, complete with written customer feedback.
Selling on Depop: Is It Legit?
Yes. Selling on Depop, and the site in general, is legit. Selling on Depop is also pretty similar to other platforms. (You can read our guide to selling clothes online for more information.)
Here are some of the basics youโll want to know before tossing up your first listing.
First, the fees: Depop takes a 10% platform fee, and youโll also get a payment processor fee from either PayPal or Depop payments. These fees also vary depending on the country youโre in โ you can read more on Depopโs fees page.
Second, you have to approach your listings a little more critically.
Because Depop is even more image-centric than its competitors, itโs crucial to take high-quality photos of your items.
Itโs so important that Depop has an entire Photography and Curation Guide outlining best practices for images. While good photos are important for any clothing marketplace platform, theyโre arguably even more important for Depop.
Third, you should be aware of how Depop handles shipping. US sellers can either ship through Depop (for mainland addresses) or cover it themselves. Depop shipments are priced by weight, which can be more convenient than having to use one flat rate for all items.
In addition, you can also choose whether to cover shipping costs or pass those on to the buyer. All of that information, along with shipping rates, is here on Depopโs shipping guide.
Something else to take into account is Depopโs audience. Because Depop is mostly used by younger people, items tailored to that demographic will generally sell better.
That doesnโt mean youโll have trouble selling other kinds of items, but you may need to be more strategic with your listings to make sure that they get in front of interested buyers.
Taking great photos, using the right tags, and writing informative descriptions can all go a long way toward selling an item.
FAQs About Depop
Hereโs some more info about Depop.
Can You Get Scammed on Depop?
As with all clothing marketplace platforms, the answer is technically โyes,โ but you generally donโt need to worry as long as youโre doing your due diligence when shopping.
Of course, youโll want to be wary when dealing with higher-priced items. You can also read up on some common scams to stay updated.
Are Depop Purchases Protected?
Depop does have a buyer protection policy that protects transactions for up to 180 days after the date of purchase. Only items purchased through the Depop app qualify for protectionโyou can see all the information here.
If you have any problems with a purchase you should always reach out to Depop customer service.
Does Depop Verify Items?
Currently, Depop does not offer any authentication services. That said, it is against their terms of service to sell counterfeit items.
Wrapping Up: Should You Use Depop?
When compared to other platforms for selling clothes online, Depop stands out in many ways. But is it actually worth using?
The biggest factor here is the audience. If youโre planning on selling clothes that are currently popular in youth culture, then Depop is probably your best bet.
For pretty much everything else, Depop is just okay. It wonโt hurt to cross-list your items on the platform, but depending on what you sell, it may not prove to be that useful for you.
If youโre just planning on selling menswear that caters to a slightly older audience, then youโre probably better off using a combination of eBay, Grailed, and maybe Poshmark.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
This Co. is a scam. If you have an issue they just send you in a link circle and suggest you read some article. Avoid this App. Complete scam, should be shut down.
Is Depop trustworthy for buying items?
Can you get scammed on Depop?
“As with all clothing marketplace platforms, the answer is technically โyes,โ but you generally donโt need to worry as long as youโre doing your due diligence when shopping.
Of course, youโll want to be wary when dealing with higher-priced items. You can also read up on some common scams to stay updated.”
There’s a Dior purse that the person said they got in Chinatown NYC. Chinatown does not sell authentic Dior, but not everyone knows that