I first used Depop about four years ago when I was in college and desperate to make a quick buck. I listed a few things for sale but as my phone camera was pretty terrible, my pics weren’t very enticing and I never made a sale.
I soom deleted the app and didn’t feel very encouraged to use it again.
Fast forward to 2020, Depop is even bigger than ever. During lockdown I began obsessing about tracking down a pair of shoes after I lost one while moving house. I’m wearing them in the pic below.
After searching the shoe online, several Depop links came up. I downloaded the app again and began trawling.
I messaged several people to no avail but finally I found a girl selling them in a size 5 and bought them from her. Unfortunately, they didn’t fit.
The shoes soon went to the charity shop but my curiousity was piqued and I realised Depop was the perfect way to hunt items that I’d previously seen in shops/online or no longer fitted me.
This behaviour may seem bizarre to people with real hobbies but for me, it’s proved very satisfying.
A friend of mine even found shoes for her wedding on there. She was finding it hard to shop because of lockdown, I asked her what style and size she was after and within a few minutes, I’d pulled up some options on Depop!
So far, I’ve bought a Topshop jumpsuit that I previously borrowed off a friend, a blue suede Topshop skirt that I’d bought in a charity shop but was much too small, a pair of colour block jeans and a really cool Whitney Houston t-shirt.
I rarely ever buy new clothing nowadays but I still love looking at what’s available in high-street shops.
So, if you’re looking to make your wardrobe more sustainable but aren’t a fan of vintage/charity shops, Depop is a great place to start and save money while you’re at it. Or you can declutter your own wardrobe and make some money while you’re at it.
The best part of Depop is that your cash isn’t going to line the pockets of a big coporation, Depop sellers are primarily young women or independent retailers.
Buying tips
Don’t restrict your search to just your own country
It’s tempting to limit your search to your own country as most sellers will ask you to pay postage.
But if you are really keen to find an item, tick the worldwide box and see what you can find. I’ve actually bought more items from UK/Northern Ireland sellers than Irish sellers.
I bought both the jumpsuit and the suede skirt from UK sellers and they arrived quite quickly.
Take your measurements
Most Depop sellers don’t offer refunds so you’ll need to ascertain the fit before you buy. Ask for measurements, take your own measurements (leg length ankle to crotch, widest part of bust and hips and narrowest part of waist).
Rather than relying on the size provided by the seller, I’ve been taking my own measurements for a more accurate fit.
I recently bought a size 10 pair of jeans on Depop only to find that they didn’t fit at all. So, when I was buying the suede skirt, I asked the seller to take measurements and checked them against my own and happily it fit.
Ask questions
If you’re thinking of buying something, ask questions first.
I.e. What’s the fit like, do you have more photos, was this taken with a flash (can make colours look different), any faults etc.
Most sellers are very obliging and won’t mind providing you with more information. Be sure to ask about postage, returns policy and delivery time.
Check prices between different sellers
If you find several people selling the item you’re after, check what the best price available is and ask each individual seller about postage costs as they may vary,
That way you can be sure you’re getting a good price. It’s also worth assessing the condition of each item however, some may be cheaper due to flaws/condition.
Haggle if possible
Now I’ve never been the best haggler in the world but this is a platform where you can make offers and bargain.
Some sellers will state that they welcome offers and others will not. You can also offer a swap of an item or ask if they can do a bundle deal or free postage. It’s always worth asking but obviously don’t take the piss either or you probably will end up on the Depop drama Insta!
If an item doesn’t work out
If your item is not as described or has undeclared faults, you can ask the seller for a refund. If they won’t help, you can open a dispute with Paypal.
Every transaction made through Paypal ensures your purchase or sale is protected if anything goes wrong.
Make sure to purchase through the Depop buy button rather than a private arrangement as you have more protection this way. Where possible, ask for a tracking number also.
If something just doesn’t fit and you can’t return it, you can always try selling it yourself or donate it.
Upload a pic of what you’re looking for
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, upload a pic and caption it “not for sale”.
State the brand and size and a description of the item you’re after, you never know someone may have it in the back of their wardrobe!
SELLING
Take the best photos you can
Ideally your photos should be of someone wearing the outfit but if that’s not possible, good lighting and clutter-free backgrounds are a must.
Make sure you show the front and rear of the item and take pictures of any flaws. If the colour is not showing up right in the pic, make sure you mention in the listing what the true colour is.
Be flexible with your pricing
The quality of the item should be reflected in the price so if it’s an item you’ve worn a lot, don’t charge what you paid for it. New items with tags still on can command more as can lightly worn items or secondhand designer items. If you don’t accept offers/swaps, it’s a good idea to mention that.
Use tags
Depop will only allow five hashtags per item, however, you can include more popular keywords that people commonly search for (y2k comes to mind!)
Be truthful
“Such a stunning Y2K top, one of a kind”, grates after you read it for the 50th time. Likewise, don’t list an old Jane Norman cardi as “vintage”, that will only irritate buyers. True vintage clothing should be at least 20/30 years old so don’t lose the run of yourself.
Give as much detail as possible and be patient if your buyer has questions.
Ask for reviews and leave reviews
It’s nice to be nice and getting a good review will increase trust and encourage more people to buy from you. So ask your buyers to leave a review when they’re satisfied and also review them as buyers. It’s a win-win!
Approach potential buyers
If someone likes an item, don’t be shy, drop them a DM and ask if they’re interested in buying. I get these messages all the time and usually I just reply browsing thanks but a friendly message could help close a sale,
When your items aren’t selling
If your items haven’t sold, there are a number of avenues you can explore. You can delete the listing and reupload it with new pics or update the description. You can lower the price or offer a limited discount or offer bundle prices.
You can also share your items on other social media such as Instagram or Facebook, it may catch someone’s eye there.
Above all, don’t be disheartened, it takes time and patience to build a up a Depop profile.
I’m really enjoying using Depop and I’ve found it to be one of my favourite ways to shop now, particularly when shops aren’t open.
Have you used Depop? Leave me a comment below by clicking on the grey speech bubble icon and let me know.
Thanks for reading as always and I hope you found the tips helpful! Don’t forget to check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page and of course my Depop @edelh22.
Edel
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