Buying and getting rid of clothes is a universal experience. Fast fashion has been criticized for negatively impacting the environment by overproducing cheap, low-quality clothing that end up in landfills around the world. So, how can people shop sustainably? Enter Depop.

Figure 1. Depop App on iOS.

Depop caters to Gen Z and millennials by allowing you to buy and sell clothes and accessories to other users. Depop tends to attract a younger, trendier crowd that features streetwear, vintage, and other popular brands (in comparison to Poshmark which targets millennials). That shouldn’t stop you if you’re a millennial; plenty have made a good name for themselves.

The app is available on iOS and Android, but is also accessible via the website. 

Getting Started on Depop

Figure 2. Depop App on iOS’s App Store, login screen, and Android’s Play Store.
  • Download on iOS’s App Store (left) or Android’s Play Store (right)
  • Log in or Sign up with email

Depop’s User Experience

Figure 3. Highlighting Depop app features on iOS.

Depop has a simplistic app experience; it’s easy to lose time scrolling to find great deals. Figure 3 above shows the search menu on iOS. Don’t let the tiny icons deter you, though. Most users have an easy time navigating.

There’s plenty of buyers and sellers. I’ve sold and bought items with ease, but now I like to window shop. Depop will show you what’s trending and suggest new items catered to you. Below, I’ll be sharing pros and cons of major features you should know about.

Pros

  • Two-factor authentication and verifying your identity: Two-factor authentication keeps your account more secure. When it’s turned on, Depop will send you a six-digit code via text. As for verifying your identity, Depop partners with Stripe to enter your social security number for tax purposes if you happen to sell over $600 in a calendar year. This is common with shopping apps and helps lower the chances of being scammed.
  • Easy navigation menu: Normally, overly minimalistic visuals are a pain, but Depop’s menu is one of the few apps that works great. Its navigation is easy to understand and is aesthetically pleasing.
  • Suggested for you: Depop uses which styles you Like and Save for its algorithm to set up your home menu. It’ll suggest items with a similar price range you’ve previously liked/saved. For example, if you like enough of a certain brand or style, it’ll show you similar options on the Home menu. Depop tends to favor new and boosted listings. Boosted listings are a paid feature to allow your listings to show up more often for other users.

Cons

Figure 4. Depop App showing Messages, Search, and Technical Issues menu.
  • Limited messaging features: Users are unable to attach photos when you message another user. This can make it annoying if you’re looking for extra photos.
  • Square images: Be aware Depop will crop your photo if you take them at 4:3 or 16:9.
  • Interests and sizes filter: You’re at the mercy of how sellers list their items. For example, if you filter for size small, you’ll still get extra small or other sizes. Depop’s algorithm has mixed results where Boosted Listings will show up despite searching for a specific size. Even then, size is very subjective. Look for sellers who list their height, weight, and typical size they wear to have a better idea of how the item could fit you.
  • Technical issues: In recent months, users have reported glitches like getting locked out from their account. Contacting Depop Support is a pain that requires you to press Settings > Need help? > Technical Issues. Some users have gotten a better response through @AskDepop on Twitter, but your mileage may vary.

Depop’s Buyer Experience

I gotta admit I’ve been buying more lately. Overall, the buyer experience is straightforward with a few features below that could use a touchup.

Pros

Figure 5. Depop App showing Likes, Reviews, and Price filter.
  • Great Likes and Saved menu: Likes allows users to publicly keep track of an item. If you want more privacy, then you can Save the item for your personal viewing.
  • Good Reviews/Feedback feature: All users have a Reviews section for buying and selling experiences. Most users tend to leave 5-star reviews for a seller. Keep a lookout for the 3 or 4-star ratings; they tend to be more accurate than the 1 or 5-star ratings.
  • Price filter: Shopping on a budget? Tap Search > Filter > Price. You can filter from $1 up to $990. You also have the option to select Items with free shipping and items on sale. (Goodbye overpriced deals!)

Cons

Figure 6. Depop App showing item listing, Messages, and Feedback glitch.
  • Subjective photos and item descriptions: Sellers can choose how many photos and what info to include. Beware if you see sellers who rely on stock photos or heavy photo filters. Most sellers are minimalistic with their item descriptions, but there’s great sellers who are in-depth and are honest about an item’s condition.
  • Messaging sellers to combine shipping: Even when you’re buying from the same seller, you could be subjected to paying separate shipping fees unless you contact the seller about combining shipping. This is up to the seller.
  • Feedback glitches: You can hit a roadblock when trying to leave a review or feedback as a buyer. I’ve tried to leave feedback for a seller and got stuck on the Sharing’s Caring menu. There’s no way to go back, so you’re forced to exit the app. Other users have encountered this, so it’s best to report these glitches to Depop. Take a screenshot.

Depop’s Seller Experience

Some sellers make a living on Depop, so the app is very active. Depop loves featuring new sellers who just started on the Home menu, so it’s worth trying out. If you follow sellers, you’ll see their listings as well. I’ll highlight the good and the bad.

Pros

Figure 7. Depop App showing Shop Policies and Listing menu.
  • Shop Policies options: Sellers can pick whether to Offer Returns, Bundle Discounts, Free National Shipping on Bundles, Eco Friendly Packaging, International Shipping, and Next Day Dispatch.
  • Bundled shipping options: Sellers can pick from either Free Shipping (which can improve your selling chances), Highest Shipping Price (where the buyer pays for the higher shipping price), or No Shipping Discount.
  • Repop option: Sellers can save some time writing the item description and choosing colors. However, you will have to upload your own photos, list info, pick a price, and choose shipping options.

Cons

Figure 8. Depop App showing Photo Limit, Make an Offer, and Boosted Listings.
  • Limited media assets: For now, sellers are limited to 8 photos and a 1-minute video. Poshmark allows up to 16 photos in comparison. How do sellers get around this limitation? Some sellers collage photos to 1 picture; this tactic is especially popular when noting flaws.
  • Mixed Make Offer experiences: This could be a headache for sellers who prefer a firm price. However, Depop does recommend buyers to offer 5-20% below the asking price. If an offer is accepted, buyers have 24 hours to purchase the item.
  • Boosted Listings: Sellers pay an 8% fee for better promotional reach only if a buyer purchases your item. Your listing will show up more often when a user searches with keywords or looks at another item. Keep in mind that 8% fee is on top of Depop’s 10% fee.

Overall Rating

★★★★☆

Overall, Depop runs great on iOS despite minimal glitches above that affect the user experience, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying it out. There’s an active community on Reddit and a sassy one on Twitter.

Is it worth buying? Absolutely! Look at reviews and inspect photos. Don’t hesitate to ask the seller questions.

What about selling? It can be worth it if you’ve got a lot of clothes you want to get rid of. Be descriptive in your listings and take clear photos with natural lighting. Plus, providing a small freebie (like a sticker) with your order can help achieve a five-star rating. People always appreciate a good communicator.

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