Vendoo's Blog: A Seller's Corner

Real Depop Reviews For Resellers: Should You Sell on Depop?

Written by Vendoo Team | Jan 7, 2025 5:25:20 PM

When it comes to reselling, choosing the right platform can make all the difference. Depop, a popular marketplace for fashion and vintage items, has become a go-to for many resellers looking to tap into a large and engaged audience.

But a question does arise: Is Depop the right fit for everyone?

In this article, we'll check out what real Depop resellers have to say. You'll have some unfiltered insight into what it's like to sell on the platform. We’ll look at the advantages and challenges that come with using Depop, which can help you decide if it aligns with your goals as a reseller.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

  • Depop charges no commission fees as of July 2024, making it more profitable for sellers.
  • Depop is great for selling fashion, vintage, and trendy items, especially with its large, young audience.
  • Sellers appreciate the platform's social features, like the ability to build a personal brand and interact directly with buyers.
  • Competition can be high in popular categories, making it harder for new sellers to stand out.
  • Some sellers complain about slow customer service and challenges with disputes or refunds.
  • Shipping logistics, including high international shipping costs, can be difficult for some sellers to manage.
  • Using Vendoo for cross-listing and inventory management helps save time and increase reach across multiple platforms, including Depop.

 

What is Depop?

 

Depop is a global marketplace where folks can sell new, used, and vintage fashion, accessories, and lifestyle items. Launched in 2011, it has grown into one of the leading marketplaces for resellers, particularly in the fashion community, where users can find everything from trendy streetwear to unique vintage pieces. 

Depop combines elements of social media with traditional e-commerce. Sellers can build their own storefronts, interact with buyers, and promote their products through photos and descriptions.

With a user-friendly interface and a strong community vibe, Depop is adored by younger generations, including Gen Z. They're drawn to the sustainable and second-hand fashion movement.

Depop is well known for:

  • Its easy listing process
  • Integrated payment system
  • Its fun and intuitive messaging platform.

What Depop Offers Resellers

 

Depop has built a platform that blends simplicity with powerful features. This makes it an appealing choice for many. Here’s what resellers can expect:

User-Friendly Interface

Depop is easy to navigate. It allows resellers to quickly list products, manage sales, and communicate with buyers. The mobile-first design makes Depop a treat to use on the go, which is ideal for resellers who manage their stores from their phones.

Global Audience

With users from around the world, Depop offers resellers access to a large and diverse customer base. This global reach helps resellers find buyers for unique or niche items that may not be easily sold in local markets.

👀Did you know that you have to opt into global shipping by entering a shipping cost in the relevant section on each listing? Don’t miss out on Depop’s global audience! 

Integrated Payment System

Depop handles payments securely through its own payment system. This eliminates the need for resellers to manage payment logistics, streamlining the selling process.

Social Media Integration

Resellers can benefit from Depop's social features, including following other sellers, getting followers for their shops, and using hashtags to increase visibility. This creates opportunities to build a personal brand and foster a loyal customer base.

Flexibility in Product Listing

Whether you’re selling vintage clothing, accessories, or other unique items, Depop gives you a lot of flexibility. Sellers can add detailed descriptions, post multiple photos, and set their own prices, making it easier to showcase items creatively.

 

Real Seller Reviews

 

To get a better feel for how a platform is, it's important to get input from people who've used it firsthand. Real sellers have insights that can go beyond marketing promises, revealing the day-to-day realities of running a shop. 

Resellers have shared a mix of experiences on Depop. Some praise its vibrant community and trendy audience, while others discuss areas for improvement. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of selling on Depop straight from those who know it best.

The Pros

Depop has gained a loyal following among sellers, especially for its focus on vintage and unique items. Here are the most commonly praised features based on seller reviews across Reddit, Quora, Trustpilot, and other platforms:

  • Large, Fashion-Focused Audience: Depop attracts a younger, trend-focused audience that actively seeks unique and vintage fashion items. This makes it an excellent marketplace for sellers with niche products.

👀 Did you know that Depop reports that over 90% of its users are under the age of 26, providing sellers with access to a highly engaged demographic that values secondhand fashion?

 

  • Easy Onboarding and Setup: Sellers often praise how easy it is to start selling on Depop, with no upfront fees and a simple onboarding process. Listings can be created quickly, even by those new to online selling.

 

  • Flexible Pricing: Depop gives sellers complete control over pricing and promotions. This flexibility enables them to adjust based on buyer demand and seasonal trends.

 

  • Built-in Payment System: Depop’s built-in payment integration makes transactions a breeze for both buyers and sellers. This helps ensure ensure smooth and secure checkout process.

The Cons

While Depop is a popular platform for selling vintage and unique things, there are some potential cons reported by buyers and sellers. Some Depop sellers have run into problems. Here are the most common complaints based on seller reviews across Reddit, Quora, Trustpilot, and other platforms:

  • High Buyer Expectations and Refund Demands: Many sellers report dealing with buyers who expect near-perfect items, even when purchasing secondhand goods. Complaints often involve buyers requesting refunds for minor flaws, despite accurate descriptions and photos and disputes being ruled in the buyer's favor, even when sellers provide proof of fulfillment.

 

  • Scammers and Fraudulent Activity: While scam and fraud happen on all peer-to-peer marketplaces, many sellers report and influx of it on Depop. Depop sellers frequently face issues with scammers, including buyers claiming items were not delivered, even with valid tracking and fraudulent chargebacks that leave sellers without payment for completed sales.

 

You might also be interested in the article Beware of These Depop Scams! Protect Yourself as a Depop Seller.

 

  • Poor Customer Support: Depop’s slow and sometimes unhelpful customer support has often gotten several complaints. Sellers often describe lengthy wait times for responses to disputes, account issues, or scam reports.

💡Tip: Be persistent with Depop customer service. Automated or “canned” responses can often be unhelpful. When responding, continue to request a further review or escalate to a supervisor. 

 

  • Algorithm Challenges: Depop's algorithm updates can result in fluctuating visibility for listings. Many sellers feel that long-term users are often deprioritized, making it difficult to maintain steady sales.

💡Tip: Delist and relist your listings often on Depop to overcome frequent changes and maximize visibility in the newsfeed, Depop search results, and major search engines. 

 

  • Overcrowding and Increased Competition: As Depop grows, sellers have expressed concerns about overcrowding on the platform. With more sellers joining, it has become increasingly challenging for veteran sellers to stand out or maintain a steady income. Depop now has over 35 million users, making it harder for new or niche sellers to compete without constant engagement.

 

  • Unrealistic Price Offers: “Lowballs” are the bane of resellers, and they happen on every marketplace. Depop’s younger audience might lend itself to even more offers that are less than ideal. This can be frustrating for Depop sellers.

 

👀Did you know that offers are not binding on Depop? In fact, offers are not binding on any UK-based marketplace that allows minors to buy and sell due to contract law in the United Kingdom. 

 

How to Succeed on Depop: Make More Sales

 

Success on Depop requires more than just listing items. It’s also about creating a strong presence, engaging with your audience, and staying consistent. With the right approach, resellers can tap into Depop’s trendy, fashion-focused market and grow their business. 

Here are some key strategies to help you stand out and succeed on the platform.

  • Know What to Sell: Depop top selling categories include vintage, y2k, designer, streetwear, handmade, and OOAK (One-of-a-kind). List these items to maximize sales on the marketplace

  • Refresh Your Listings: Refresh your listings daily by clicking “edit” and “save.” This becomes tedious, so many resellers use a Depop bot to refresh their shop. 

  • Use High-Quality Photos: Clear, well-lit images that showcase your products from multiple angles can make or break a sale. Great photos can make a huge difference in grabbing potential buyers' attention and convincing them to make a purchase.

    💡Tip: Depop recommends flat lay or modeled photography. In fact, your listing is much more likely to sell if worn. 

  • Promote Your Shop:  Make the most of social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to promote your Depop store. Sharing your listings and behind-the-scenes content can help build your brand and drive traffic to your shop.

  • Boost Your Listings: Depop’s optional “boost” feature offers extra promotions in exchange for 8% of the sale price. Most sellers highly recommend this promotional feature. 
    • Engage with Shoppers: Stay tuned to your Depop inbox and be responsive to questions and offers.
    • Optimize Your Listings: Depop does not offer a title field, but Depop reports that the first 5 words in the description are most important for searchability. 
  • Use 5 Trending Hashtags: Hashtags are the key to listing and maximizing exposure. But don’t just use any hashtag, use trending style hashtags.

💡Tip: For a glossary of trending keywords and hashtags, check out The Reseller’s Guide to Cores & Aesthetics

  • Offer Great Customer Service: Positive feedback is essential for success on Depop. Be transparent about shipping times, packaging, and return policies. A smooth transaction will lead to satisfied customers who won't only come back for more but will also recommend your shop to others.

 

Should You Sell on Depop?

Deciding whether Depop is the right platform depends on several factors such as your goals, inventory, and selling style. While there are endless opportunities for enthusiastic sellers, there are some factors that can influence your decision to commit to Depop. 

 

Why Depop could be a good fit for you:

  • You Sell Fashion, Decor, or Vintage Items: If you’re enthusiastic about fashion, Depop is the ideal platform for selling and exploring trendy, secondhand, or unique fashion pieces. 
  • You Enjoy Social Selling: Depop is both an e-commerce platform and a social network, offering the opportunity to connect and socialise with like-minded folks. The marketplace’s social media-like features are great for building a personal brand.
  • You’re Targeting a Young Audience: Depop’s user base is dominated by Gen Z and Millennials, making it perfect for sellers catering to younger shoppers.

 

Make More Sales on Depop with Vendoo

 

Selling on Depop offers exciting opportunities for resellers, especially those targeting the fashion-savvy and trend-conscious audience.  Its social marketplace format and large, trend-conscious audience provide excellent opportunities for growth. However, Depop still brings its own set of challenges for users. These include things like shipping, logistics, high competition, and maintaining consistent sales.

To make your reselling experience easier, Vendoo can be a game-changer. Vendoo streamlines inventory management, enables cross-listing on multiple platforms (including Depop), and provides insights through sales analytics. Vendoo saves time and helps you reach more buyers. It has all the tools to help you turbocharge your business.

👀Did you know that you can crosslist to 10+ marketplaces in under 5 minutes with Vendoo? 

Whether you're exploring Depop for the first time or scaling your operations, pairing Depop's vibrant marketplace with Vendoo’s smart tools means you're almost guaranteed to make it big in the reselling world. And the best part? It’s absolutely free to get started and get a feel for Vendoo’s power-packed features.