Depop 101: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started

Depop 101: The Ultimate Guide to Buying & Selling Secondhand Fashion

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Welcome to the ultimate guide to Depop, the community-powered marketplace that’s redefining how we think about fashion. Whether you’re looking to clear out your closet, find unique vintage pieces, or build a sustainable wardrobe, Depop offers a vibrant platform where style, value, and circularity meet. This comprehensive depop overview will walk you through everything you need to know, from setting up your profile to mastering the art of the sale.

Table of Contents

What is Depop?

At its core, what is Depop is a circular fashion marketplace designed for buying, selling, and discovering unique pre-loved clothing and accessories. Founded in 2011, it began as a social shopping app where readers of a fashion magazine could purchase items from featured creatives. Today, it has evolved into a global phenomenon.

The depop app and depop website connect a massive community of approximately 43.5 million registered users who are passionate about making secondhand fashion second nature. It’s a place where individual style thrives, new trends are born, and everyone from casual sellers to stylists and celebrities can find one-of-a-kind items. In 2021, Depop became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Etsy, the global marketplace for unique goods, but continues to operate as a standalone company. This depop platform overview shows it’s more than just a place for depop shopping; it’s a movement aimed at extending the life of clothes and making fashion more sustainable. The answer to what is depop and how does it work is simple: it’s a peer-to-peer social marketplace changing the game for secondhand style.

How Does Depop Work? The Basics

So, how does Depop work? Think of it as a blend of a social media platform and an e-commerce marketplace. Users create profiles, follow other shops, and can like and comment on listings, creating an engaging and interactive community.

For Buyers:
You can browse millions of items, search for specific brands or styles, follow your favorite depop sellers, and curate your feed. When you find something you love, you can buy it instantly or make an offer to the seller.

For Sellers:
You can easily list items from your own closet, turning unwanted clothes into cash. The platform provides tools to help you create listings, manage your depop shop, and connect with potential buyers.

The entire process, from discovery to purchase, is designed to be seamless and user-friendly, explaining how depop works for millions of users. We’ll dive deeper into the specifics of buying and selling in the sections below.

Getting Started: Your Depop Account

Before you can start buying or selling, you need to create an account. Here’s how to get started on depop.

You can sign up through the depop app or on the website. You must be at least 13 years old to create an account, though our payment partners have additional requirements (typically 18+) that may require a parent or guardian’s assistance for younger users. During setup, you’ll need to provide some basic information, including your date of birth, which is used for age verification and is not visible to other users.

Once your account is created, it’s time to personalize your profile. A great depop bio is key to making a good first impression. Use it to describe your style, mention your shop policies (like if you offer bundles), and let your personality shine. While you can write your own, some users look for a depop bio generator online for inspiration.

The Complete Guide to Buying on Depop

Ready to find your next favorite outfit? Buying on Depop is an adventure. Here’s how to use depop to buy and get the most out of your experience.

Finding and Discovering Items

The discovery process is a core part of the Depop experience.

  • Search: Use the search bar to look for specific brands, items, or styles. You can apply filters for size, price, brand, and more to narrow down the results.
  • Saved Searches: If you’re hunting for something specific, you can save up to 10 searches with custom filters. You’ll receive a daily notification when new items matching your criteria are listed.
  • The Feed: Your home feed uses AI to match you with items you’re likely to love based on your activity.

Interacting with Listings

When you find an item you’re interested in, you have a few options:

  • Buy Now: Purchase the item immediately at the listed price using the "BUY" button.
  • Make an Offer: Many sellers are open to negotiation. Use the "Make Offer" feature to suggest a price you’re willing to pay. The seller has 24 hours to accept, decline, or make a counteroffer. Keep in mind that offers don’t include shipping costs, and making an offer doesn’t reserve the item for you.
  • Binding Offers: Depop is testing a "binding offer" feature. If you choose this option and the seller accepts, the sale is completed and you are charged immediately.

You might also see listings marked with a "boosted" icon. This is a tool sellers use to give their items more visibility in search results.

Payments and Fees

Depop offers several ways to pay. How does depop payments work? It’s Depop’s primary system that allows you to pay via Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna, and credit/debit cards. It’s a requirement for sellers in the UK, US, and Australia.

For international sellers or those not on Depop Payments, PayPal is the primary method. You don’t necessarily need a PayPal account to buy; you can often check out as a guest.

In the UK and US, buyers are charged a Marketplace Fee. This fee is up to 5% of the item’s purchase price plus a small fixed amount (e.g., up to £1/$1). This fee helps fund Depop Protection, customer support, and platform improvements.

After You Purchase

Once you hit the "BUY" button, Depop sends your payment and shipping details to the seller. Most sellers ship within 5 days. You can track your order directly through the app. After you receive your item, you can leave feedback for the seller to share your experience. Now you know how do you use depop for a great shopping experience.

The Ultimate Guide to Selling on Depop

Turning your closet into cash is one of the best parts of Depop. If you’re wondering how to start a depop shop, this guide will walk you through the entire process.

Setting Up Your Shop

First, you’ll need to set up your payment method. This is a crucial step in how to set up a depop shop.

  • In the US, UK, and Australia: You are required to use Depop Payments. This involves connecting a bank account and verifying your identity. If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian will need to provide their details.
  • Outside these regions: You’ll need to connect a verified PayPal account.

How to List on Depop

Creating a great listing is the key to a quick sale.

  1. Photos and Video: Upload up to four photos and one video. Use clear, well-lit images that accurately show the item from all angles. Using your own photos is mandatory; stock images are not allowed.
  2. Description: Write a clear and accurate headline. Include detailed measurements, as sizes can vary. Honestly describe the item’s condition, noting any flaws or signs of wear.
  3. Details: Fill in all relevant information, including category, brand, size, and color. This helps your item appear in relevant searches.
  4. Pricing: Depop may suggest a price range based on similar sold items. You can price your item to "sell faster," for a "balanced" price, or to "earn more."

For sellers with many items, knowing how to list multiple items on depop is a time-saver. The depop bulk upload tool on the website allows you to create and manage multiple listings at once from your desktop, either by creating drafts in a streamlined view or by using a CSV template. This answers the question of how to sell multiple items on depop efficiently.

What to Sell and Seller Fees

You can sell a wide variety of clothing, shoes, and accessories. The question of what to sell on depop often comes down to your personal style and what’s currently trending. Vintage, Y2K, and unique branded items often perform well. Check out what sells best on depop 2025 by exploring popular shops. Remember that counterfeit goods, weapons, and other prohibited items are strictly forbidden. Now you know what can i sell on depop.

So, what are depop fees for sellers?

  • In the UK & US: As of 2024, Depop has removed its selling fee. This means does depop have seller fees? Not the traditional Depop selling fee in these regions. You will still pay a standard payment processing fee (e.g., 3.3% + $0.45 in the US) on the total transaction amount.
  • Outside the UK & US: A 10% Depop selling fee applies to the total transaction value (item price + shipping). A separate payment processing fee from PayPal also applies.
  • Boosting Fee: If you use Boosted Listings and an item sells through a boosted tile, an 8% fee applies.

The question does depop take a cut is answered by these fees, which support the platform’s operation and services.

Shipping Your Items

Once you’ve made a sale, it’s time to ship. How does depop shipping work?

  • Depop Shipping: In the US (via USPS), UK (via Evri), and Australia (via Sendle), you can use a Depop shipping label. The buyer pays for shipping, and you receive a prepaid, tracked label (often with a QR code, so no printer is needed). This is the easiest method and is required for Seller Protection.
  • Arrange Your Own Shipping: You can also choose to handle shipping yourself. If you do, you must use a tracked service and add the tracking number to the in-app receipt to stay protected.

This covers the essentials of how does selling on depop work. By following these steps, you can create a successful depop store and join the circular fashion movement. This guide is your first step on how to start selling clothes on depop.

Key Depop Features and Programs

Depop is constantly evolving with new tools and programs to enhance the user experience. Here’s a look at some key depop features.

  • Boosted Listings: An advertising tool for sellers to increase the visibility of their items in search results for an 8% fee on boosted sales.
  • Offers: Buyers can "Make Offer" on an item, and sellers can proactively "Send Offer" to users who have liked their items to encourage a sale.
  • Bundles: Buyers can purchase multiple items from the same shop in one transaction. Sellers can set up automatic bundle discounts, like free shipping or a percentage off, to incentivize larger orders. Understanding how does a bundle work on depop is great for both buyers saving on shipping and sellers moving more stock.
  • Repop: This feature allows you to quickly re-list an item you purchased on Depop. It auto-populates the original listing details, making it easy to pass on an item that wasn’t quite right for you.
  • Depop Insiders: A community program for passionate users who want to promote Depop by hosting events and creating content. Insiders get perks like early access to new features and promotion on Depop’s social channels.
  • Depop Affiliates: A program for bloggers and content creators to earn a commission by sharing links to Depop items and shops.

Safety, Support, and Community

Depop is committed to creating a safe and trustworthy marketplace. Knowing the platform’s safety nets helps answer the question, is depop legit?

Depop Protection

Both buyers and sellers are covered by Depop Protection, provided transactions are made in-app using the "BUY" button.

  • For Buyers: If your item doesn’t arrive, arrives damaged, or is significantly not as described, you can get a full refund by reporting the issue within 30 days.
  • For Sellers: If you use a Depop Shipping label and your item is lost or damaged in transit, you are protected up to a certain value (e.g., $300 in the US).

Transactions conducted outside of Depop (via direct bank transfer, Venmo, etc.) are not protected. This is the most important rule for determining is buying off depop safe.

The Resolution Centre

For issues with orders paid via Depop Payments, the in-app Resolution Centre is the first stop. Here, buyers can report an item that hasn’t arrived, and sellers can respond to resolve the issue. If a resolution can’t be reached, the case can be escalated to Depop’s support team. For PayPal transactions, disputes are handled through PayPal’s Resolution Center.

Returns and Reviews

Depop’s return policy primarily covers items that are not as described. If you simply change your mind or an item doesn’t fit, returns are at the seller’s discretion unless they are a registered business with their own policy.

After a transaction is complete, both the buyer and seller can leave feedback. This star-rating system builds trust within the community. If you need to know how do i write a review on depop, simply go to your purchase receipts and select the transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a depop shop?
A depop shop is a user’s personal storefront on the platform where they list all the items they have for sale. It’s like having your own mini online boutique.

How does Depop selling work?
You list an item with photos and a description, a buyer purchases it through the app’s "BUY" button, you ship the item using a tracked service, and the payment is released to you after the item is delivered.

How does the depop app work?
The what is depop app used for is primarily for buying and selling secondhand fashion. It functions like a social marketplace where you can follow shops, like items, and message other users, all while browsing millions of unique clothing and accessory listings.

How to sell your clothes on depop?
To get started with how to use depop to sell, simply tap the "Sell" icon in the app, upload photos of your item, write a detailed description, set a price, and choose your shipping options. It’s designed to be quick and easy.

Are there fees for selling on Depop?
In the US and UK, there are no Depop selling fees, but a standard payment processing fee applies to each transaction. In other countries, a 10% Depop selling fee and a payment processing fee are charged. An optional 8% boosting fee applies to sales made through Boosted Listings.

How do I get paid on Depop?
Earnings from your sales go into your Depop Balance. This money is then automatically paid out to your connected bank account. In the UK and US, this payout typically happens 2 business days after the item’s tracking shows it’s been delivered, or 10 business days after the sale date if tracking isn’t available.

What is the Depop app?
The Depop app is the mobile application for the Depop marketplace, available on iOS and Android. It allows users to buy, sell, and discover fashion on the go, manage their shop, and interact with the community.

How to start a successful depop shop?
Success on Depop comes from consistency and quality. Take clear, appealing photos, write detailed and honest descriptions, price your items competitively, ship quickly, and provide excellent customer service to earn positive reviews. Engaging with the community by liking and following also helps increase your shop’s visibility.