With spring finally here, giving our wardrobes that well-deserved spring clean is a must — and it’s actually something we look forward to every season. It’s a forced reset to sort through all the items at the back of our drawers that we’ve held onto for months (if not years) that we simply do not wear anymore.
That leopard print tee you’re saving for an animal-themed birthday party that never comes, or *that* pair of jeans that fit, but not enough for you to actually wear at all….we’ve all been there. Or maybe you went a bit too hard at the last Black Friday sale, and you’ve ended up with a lot of new-with-tags pieces that are screaming for a chance to go to a new home. What if we told you that you could declutter your clothes while earning some cash? Yes, you read that right. And with Depop, you can actually turn your old clothes into cash.
And if that isn’t motivation to start decluttering, stat, we don’t know what is. And lucky for you, we happen to be somewhat of a self-proclaimed Depop connoisseur. Read on for everything you need to know before you sell on Depop.
Meet the experts
- Jada Susas, Content Producer, is a seasoned Depop seller who has made over $2300 selling 37 items in the last three years. Passionate about supporting a circular economy while not sacrificing style, Jada has trained her Depop algorithm to show her all her favourite brands and has mastered the art of negotiating with a few clicks of a button.
- Janet Guan, Contributor, is a freelance writer who has previously worked as a Shopping Content Producer for ELLE and marie claire – meaning she knows a good deal when she sees it.
What is Depop?
Known as the go-to spot for selling pre-loved fashion, Depop is for anyone looking to shop more sustainably (by shopping second-hand) or those who are looking for an easy way to give their clothes a guaranteed second life. While donating your clothes to your local thrift store is better than not doing it at all, the truth is that not everything you donate will actually get resold. Depending on the quality of your items and the quantity of stock they have in store, unfortunately, some items sometimes go straight to landfill instead. That’s why many turn to Depop.
Not to be confused with Facebook Marketplace (respectfully), Depop has an added layer. It’s part online thrift store, part social network. It’s a place where fashion people congregate to shop more sustainably while expressing their personal style. Depop is like the much-cooler younger sister that dresses, well, better.
The result? The pieces you’ll find on Depop seem more curated — think vintage denim, designer pieces and one-of-a-kind finds. Those looking to buy are intentional and are willing to pay top dollar for a unique piece, rather than try to haggle for a cheaper price. Therefore, if you have pieces from your collection that you’re hoping to pass on to someone who will love them as much as you once did, then you’re in the right place.
How to sell on Depop (a step-by-step guide)
Depop works primarily on its app. While you can access Depop on a desktop, it’s ultimately created for an app-first experience. To get started, simply download the Depop app, available for both iOS and Android.
Create an account
Once you have the app, follow the on-screen prompts and create your very own Depop account. Here, you can add a profile pic and fill out a short bio to give shoppers a bit of insight into who you are.
Don’t underestimate the power of a good, personable bio. If you’re a shop-aholic, let them know! Or maybe you’re someone who loves buying quirky graphic tees. Whatever it is, it doesn’t have to be too detailed, but having something to give potential buyers a sense of your personality is beneficial.
Connect your PayPal
Depop’s payment system is integrated with PayPal. Connect your account (or create one) so you can get paid when a sale goes through. Depop Payments (via Stripe) is also available for those who do not use PayPal.
Connect your bank account
Depop recently introduced Depop Payments, allowing users to checkout with Apple Pay rather than relying on Paypal. If a buyer chooses to use this option, the money will be stored in your Depop Balance rather than hit your bank account straight away. Your balance will then be released to your bank account a few days after you have marked your sold item as shipped. You can add your bank account details in the app under the Payments tab in your settings.
List items on Depop
Here comes the crucial part. It’s time to list your first item on Depop. Add clear, well-lit photos of whatever it is you’re selling (remember, multiple angles help). Write a detailed description about what the item is, its condition (is it like-new or well-loved?), brand, size, and USPs. Make sure to add shipping options and set a fair price.
Start selling
Review your listing and publish it once everything is in order.
Ship your item
Once your listing is live, it’s visible to the Depop community. Which means, you can complete the sale at any moment (even in your sleep). Once someone has purchased something from you, make sure to let them know you’re working on getting the item shipped to them. It’s common courtesy to get something shipped ASAP. However, if there are delays (which can happen), clear communication is key.
You can also meet your buyer in person if they’re from the same city. If so, you can organise a date, time and location to meet to hand over the item. Just make sure you choose a public place for added safety.
Selling tips
Want to take your Depop skills to the next level? Here are some handy tips to follow (from a seasoned Depop seller):
- Take photos wearing the clothes: Always take photos with clothes worn by a model (like yourself). A cheap tripod can do wonders in speeding up the process.
- Natural lighting is your best friend: The quality of your photos matters, and natural lighting will do wonders.
- Get up close and personal: Not literally. However, close-up photos of the fabric, design details, or any other features you think are worth highlighting will allow the buyer to get a better idea of what they’re buying.
- List the RRP: Some buyers may discover brands through Depop, which means they may not know you’re selling a $300 white tee for a fraction of the price at $100. Always list the RRP so the value is clear for everyone involved.
- Finesse that product description: Everyone knows what they’re getting when they’re buying a white tee. But do they know this one sits particularly well with a pair of high-waisted jeans? Having a detailed product description that sells the product is key. Offer styling suggestions or reasons why you’re selling the item. Perhaps it’s just the wrong size for you, or you already have too many white tees in rotation.
- Quality check before shipping: It may have been a while since you listed a product; ensure it’s still in good condition as described. Sometimes, leaving clothes in a bag at the bottom of your closet can cause creases or dust to build up. A lint roller or a quick freshen-up in the washing machine before shipping is a good idea.
- Suss out your shipping costs: This may take a bit of trial and error – and that’s okay. With a few trips to your local post office, you’ll figure out how much shipping should be based on your item’s size. You can also opt for prepaid bags to make the process easier. Just make sure you’re charging enough to cover the shipping costs.
- Meet in a public space: If you’re meeting with your buyer instead, choosing a public spot is crucial. Outside a busy train station or a popular cafe near you will work well.
- Offer discounts: If you’ve listed an item for a while, it may be time to lure those buyers in with a cheeky discount. After all, who doesn’t love a sale? If you can afford it, dropping down the price of your items 2-3 weeks after they’ve been listed may help to get those last items sold.
- Offer bundle deals: Entice buyers with free shipping or a discount when they buy one or more of items from your store. Sometimes, its the shipping fee that turns people off, so giving them extra value can lead to the final push.
How do Depop payments work in Australia?
A 10% selling fee applies to all sales. There is also a payment processing fee for PayPal, which depends on your PayPal account setup. If you use Depop Payments (via Stripe), a 2.6% + $0.3AUD fee will be charged on the item’s sale price.
How much does Depop take from $100?
For a $100 sale, 10% of this is the selling fee, along with a payment processing fee (as outlined above). Therefore, total fees will be around $12.90, which means you’ll make around $87.10 from a $100 sale.
How do you price items on Depop?
The price of your item is entirely up to you, but you shouldn’t price it higher than you bought it for. When you list an item to sell on Depop, you are required to label the condition. This is so buyers can quickly determine the quality and value for price as they scroll.
- Brand new: Often people will use “BNWT” in the caption, which stands for “brand new with tags”. This will often indicate that the price will be close to if not match the RRP of the item.
- Like new: If its marked like new, expect for the item to have only been worn once just to be tried on, making the price of the item close to its original RRP.
- Used – excellent: Use this label when you have worn the item a handful of times and there aren’t any noticeable flaws.
Who pays for shipping on Depop?
Either the buyer or the seller will pay for shipping. This depends on how you’ve set up your listing. The shipping cost is added to the item total at checkout if the buyer is covering it; otherwise, you can include the shipping cost within the total price of your item to cover it yourself as the seller.
How to ship packages in Australia
There are a few options for shipping your packages around the country. The most commonly used service is Australia Post, but you can also use Sendle, DHL, FedEx and more to ship your Depop items.
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