I still remember the first time I woke up to a PayPal dispute notification. It was 2019, and I had sold a vintage 90s windbreaker for $45. The buyer claimed it smelled like "old attic" and wanted their money back. I panicked. I felt personally attacked—I wash everything!—and I was terrified that Depop would ban my account if I didn't comply instantly. I refunded the buyer immediately, let them keep the jacket, and lost $45 plus shipping.
That was a rookie mistake. In 2026, I know better. I know that "smells" aren't usually a valid reason for a forced return under Depop's policy, and I know that hitting the refund button too fast is just as dangerous as ignoring the message. If you sell online long enough, a refund request is inevitable. It isn't a failure; it's just an administrative task. The key is knowing when you have to pay up and when you can stand your ground.
Does Depop Do Returns? The "All Sales Final" Myth
One of the biggest confusions for new sellers is the question: does depop do returns? If you look at the bio of half the shops on the app, you will see "NO REFUNDS / ALL SALES FINAL" written in all caps. Here is the harsh truth: That bio means nothing.
Depop's Terms of Service override your bio.
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Buyer's Remorse: If a buyer just doesn't like the item or it doesn't fit, you are safe. You can politely say no.
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Item Not As Described (INAD): If the buyer claims you missed a stain, got the size wrong, or sent a fake, Depop can and will force a return.
My Honest Failure: In 2023, I listed a pair of "Size 8" Dr. Martens. I didn't check the UK/US size conversion on the tongue. They were actually a US 9 / UK 7. The buyer opened a dispute. I pointed to my "No Returns" bio. Depop Support stepped in, forced the return, and I had to pay for the return shipping label.
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Lesson: Accuracy is your only protection against returns.
How to Refund on Depop: The Step-by-Step (2026 Update)
If you have agreed to a return (or just want to cancel a sale before shipping), you need to know how to refund on depopcorrectly. Do not Venmo the buyer. Do not CashApp them. If you do that, Depop doesn't know you refunded them, and they can still open a dispute and get paid twice.
The Process:
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Open the Depop app and go to your Sold Items.
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Tap on the specific transaction.
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Scroll down to "Manage your sale."
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Tap "Refund sale."
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You will see options for "Full Refund" or "Partial Refund."
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Confirm the amount.
Crucial Note on the "Top-Up Card": In 2026, Depop requires you to have a "Top-Up Card" (debit or credit card) on file. If your Depop Balance is $0 (because you already cashed out), Depop needs a way to pull the money to pay the buyer back. They will charge your top-up card to cover the refund.
Can You Cancel a Depop Order?
Technically, there is no "Cancel" button for sellers. When people ask can you cancel a depop order, what they really mean is "Can I refund the buyer before I ship?" The answer is Yes.
Common Scenarios for Cancellation:
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You lost the item (it happens).
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You found a flaw while packing it.
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You accidentally sold it on another platform.
If you initiate a Full Refund before the shipping label is scanned, the order is effectively cancelled. Depop will automatically refund the fees to you, and the shipping label will be voided.
Here's where it gets interesting... If you use "Depop Shipping" (where they provide the label), you don't need to do anything else. If you use your own shipping, you might have to request a refund for the label separately from your carrier (like Pirate Ship).
How Long Do Depop Refunds Take?
Once you hit that button, the buyer is going to ask: "When will I get my money?" The answer to how long do depop refunds take depends on the payment method.
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Depop Payments (Card/Apple Pay): Usually 3-10 business days. It depends on the buyer's bank.
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PayPal: Often much faster, sometimes instant, but can take up to 48 hours if the funds were "held."
Managing Expectations: I always send a message immediately after refunding:
"I've processed your refund on my end! You should see it in your bank account in 5-10 business days depending on your bank's processing times."
This stops them from messaging you every day asking where the money is.
The "Partial Refund" Strategy
Sometimes, you don't want the item back, but the buyer is unhappy. Maybe there was a small hole you missed. Instead of a full return, offer a Partial Refund.
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Scenario: You sold a shirt for $40. Buyer finds a loose thread.
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The Fix: Offer them a $10 partial refund to keep the item and fix it themselves.
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How to do it: Follow the same how to refund on depop steps, but select "Partial" and type in $10.
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Why: It saves you the cost of return shipping and the hassle of relisting.
How to Get a Refund on Depop (The Buyer's View)
If you are a seller, you need to understand the buyer's side so you can guide them (or defend against them). If a buyer asks how to get a refund on depop, the official path is the "Resolution Center."
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They have 30 days from purchase to report an issue.
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They must contact you (the seller) first.
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If you don't resolve it, they escalate to Depop Support.
My Strategy: If a buyer messages me with a valid issue, I resolve it before they open a dispute. A dispute puts a "black mark" on your account metrics. A voluntary refund does not.
Preventing Inventory Disasters with Closo
The most common reason I see for "seller-initiated cancellations" is overselling. You list a vintage tee on Depop and eBay. It sells on eBay. You forget to delete it from Depop. Someone buys it on Depop an hour later. Now you have to explain to the Depop buyer that you don't have the item. They leave you a 1-star review saying "Seller is a flake."
I use Closo 100% Free Crosslister to prevent this nightmare.
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The Feature: Inventory Sync.
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How it works: When I sell an item on eBay, Closo detects it and automatically deletes the listing from Depop (and Poshmark/Mercari).
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The Result: I almost never have to cancel orders due to "out of stock" errors anymore.
I use Closo to automate my inventory management – saves me about 3 hours weekly of panic-checking my phone to see if I need to delete listings.
Depop Refund Policy on "Lost Packages"
This is a grey area.Scenario: You shipped the item. Tracking stops updating. The buyer wants a refund.The Rule:
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If you used a Depop Shipping Label, you are covered. Depop will refund the buyer and let you keep the money (up to a certain amount) if the package is confirmed lost in transit.
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If you used your own shipping, you are on the hook. You have to refund the buyer and then fight with USPS/UPS for the insurance money yourself.
Opinion: This is why I exclusively use Depop Shipping for items under $200. The insurance protection is worth the slightly higher label cost.
How Long Does Depop Refund Take for Fees?
When you issue a refund, you want your seller fees back.
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Depop Fee (10%): Automatically refunded to you when you process the refund in-app.
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Transaction Fee (Processing): usually refunded as well.
Warning: If you refund via PayPal (for older legacy orders), PayPal kept the transaction fee (2.9% + $0.30) for a long time. In 2026, most transactions are via Depop Payments, which is cleaner.
Honest Failure: The "Swap" Scam
I once agreed to a "return for exchange." The buyer said the jeans were too small but wanted to trade for a bigger pair I had listed. I said, "Sure, send them back." I sent the new pair before receiving the old ones. You guessed it—I never got the old ones back.
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Lesson: Never ship a replacement until the return is in your hands and inspected. Process it as two separate transactions: Refund the first, make them buy the second.
People always ask me...
Can I refuse a refund on Depop?
Yes, if the reason is "doesn't fit" or "changed mind." You are not Amazon. You are a private seller. However, if they open a "Not As Described" case and provide proof (photos of damage you didn't disclose), Depop will force the refund regardless of your refusal. It is always better to accept a return for a valid claim than to fight it and lose your account standing.
What happens if I refund a buyer but they don't return the item?
Never refund until you have the item back. The standard procedure is: Buyer opens request -> You accept -> Buyer ships item -> You receive/inspect item -> You issue refund. If you refund first, the buyer has zero incentive to go to the post office. If Depop forces the refund, they will usually require the buyer to upload tracking proof of the return before releasing funds.
Conclusion
Handling a depop refund is never fun, but it is part of the job. The depop refund policy is designed to protect buyers from scams, but it also protects sellers from unreasonable demands if you know the rules. Don't fear the "Refund" button.Fear the lack of communication.
If you are honest, ship fast, and use tools like Closo to keep your inventory accurate, you will find that refunds are just a tiny blip in a profitable business. Stay professional, keep your receipts, and remember: one bad transaction doesn't define your shop.
Start cross-listing with Closo today—because the best way to handle a refund is to sell enough items that you don't even feel the loss.
