I still remember the first time I tried to list a pair of vintage Levi’s 501s on Depop. I treated it exactly like eBay. I laid the jeans flat on my hardwood floor, took a photo with the overhead light on, and wrote a description that just said: "Blue Jeans. Size 28. Good condition."
They sat there for three months. Nothing. Not even a like.
Meanwhile, I watched a 19-year-old sell a stained oversized t-shirt for $45 because she modeled it with cool sunglasses and used the hashtag #y2kgrunge. That was my lightbulb moment. Depop isn't just a marketplace; it's a social media platform that happens to have a checkout button. It rewards curation, "vibes," and personality way more than it rewards sterile professionalism.
If you are looking at your closet and wondering how do you sell on depop, you are asking the right question at the right time. With the recent removal of selling fees for US and UK users, Depop has become the most profitable place to flip vintage and trendy fashion. But you can't just upload and pray. You have to speak the language.
The "Vibe" Check: How to Sell Clothes on Depop Successfully
When people ask how do you sell clothes on depop, they often mean "how do I make people want my old clothes?" The answer is photography.
On Poshmark, you want clean, white backgrounds. On Depop, that looks like a stock photo. It feels "corporate." Depop buyers want to see the item in the wild.
1. Model It (If You Can)
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My Strategy: I bought a cheap $15 tripod with a Bluetooth remote. I put on the jacket I’m selling, stand against a plain wall (or a cool brick wall outside), and take 20 photos.
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Why it works: Buyers want to see the fit. Does it drape? Is it cropped? A flat photo lies; a modeled photo tells the truth.
2. The "Flat Lay" Alternative
If you don't want to model (which is totally fine), do a "styled flat lay."
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Don't just throw the shirt on the bed.
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Put the shirt down, maybe place a cool pair of shoes next to it, or some chunky jewelry. You are selling an outfit, not just a fabric square.
My Honest Failure: I listed a batch of "Grandma Sweaters" with terrible lighting. They looked brown and sad. I relisted the exact same sweaters a week later, but I took the photos outside in "Golden Hour" sunlight. They sold in 24 hours for double the price. Lighting is your best employee.
Setting Up the Backend: How Do I Connect PayPal to Depop?
Here's where it gets interesting... if you are an old-school seller returning to the app, you might be looking for the PayPal button.
The bad news: You can't. The keyword reality: People still search how do i connect paypal to depop, but as of late 2023/2024, Depop has removed PayPal as a payment option for sellers in the US and UK.
The New Standard: Depop Payments
You must use Depop Payments (powered by Stripe).
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Go to Profile: Tap the "Settings" gear.
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Selling Hub: Tap "Payments."
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Connect Bank: You will need your Routing and Account number.
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Verify ID: You must upload a photo of your Driver's License or Passport. (This is for tax regulations/KYC laws).
Opinion Statement: I actually prefer this. PayPal used to hold my funds for 21 days randomly. Depop Payments usually hits my bank account within 2 business days after the sale. It’s cleaner, even if the "breakup" with PayPal was abrupt.
Pricing and Profit: How Much Does Depop Take?
This is the biggest win for sellers in 2025. If you asked how much does depop take two years ago, the answer was "10% plus fees." Today, the answer is "Almost zero."
The 0% Selling Fee
Depop removed the 10% marketplace fee for new listings.
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Old Way: Sell for $50 -> Depop takes $5.
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New Way: Sell for $50 -> Depop takes $0.
The Hidden Cost: Processing Fee
However, transaction fees still exist. You can't escape the credit card processors.
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The Fee: Roughly 3.3% + $0.45 (in the US).
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The Math: If you sell a $50 item:
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You pay roughly $2.10 in processing fees.
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You keep $47.90.
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(Parenthetical aside: Compare this to Poshmark, where a $50 sale costs you $10 in fees. Depop is currently the cheapest major platform for sellers, hands down.)
The Listing Workflow: How Do You Sell Something on Depop?
So, you have the photos and the bank account linked. How do you sell something on depop technically?
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Tap the Camera Icon: Bottom center of the app.
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Upload Photos: Select your 4 best shots. (Cover photo must be the best one).
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Description: This is where SEO matters.
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Don't just write "Cute top."
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Write: "Vintage 90s Baby Tee. Ribbed cotton material. Cropped fit. Similar to Unif or Brandy Melville style."
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Category & Size: Be accurate. If it’s a Medium but fits like a Small, tag it as Medium but write "Fits smaller" in the description.
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Shipping: Select "Ship with Depop" (easiest) or "My Own Shipping."
I use Closo to automate cross-listing these items to Mercari and eBay – saves me about 3 hours weekly – because typing "Vintage 90s Baby Tee" three separate times is a waste of my life.
Shipping Logistics: How Do You Sell Stuff on Depop Without a Printer?
Shipping scares people. It shouldn't. When asking how do you sell stuff on depop, the physical handover is the last step.
Method 1: Ship with Depop (QR Codes)
This is the beginner-friendly way.
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The Process: When it sells, Depop generates a USPS Ground Advantage label.
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The QR Code: You don't even need a printer. You take the package to the Post Office, show them the QR code on your phone, and they print the label and stick it on.
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The Cost: The buyer usually pays for this (if you selected "Buyer Pays").
Method 2: Your Own Shipping (Pirate Ship)
This is for pros.
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The Process: You select "My Own Shipping" when listing. You charge the buyer a flat rate (e.g., $5).
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The Tool: You go to Pirate Ship, buy a label for $4, and pocket the $1 difference.
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The Risk: You have to copy/paste the tracking number manually. If you forget, you don't get paid.
The "Boost" Trap
Now the tricky part... getting seen. Depop has a "Boost" feature.
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How it works: You toggle "Boost" on a listing. It shows up in search results more often.
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The Cost: If it sells via a boosted tile, Depop takes 8%.
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My Advice: Since the selling fee is 0%, paying 8% for a boost basically brings you back to the old fee structure. Only use this for high-ticket items ($50+) that are stuck. Do not boost a $12 t-shirt; you will lose money.
People always ask me...
"Can I sell things other than clothes?"
Common question I see. Yes. While Depop is 90% fashion, there is a thriving market for:
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Vintage Home Decor: funky lamps, ashtrays, mugs.
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Physical Media: Cassette tapes, CDs, Vinyl.
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Books: Specifically art books or rare zines. Electronics and generic household goods (like a used toaster) generally flop here. Take those to eBay or Mercari.
"What happens if a buyer claims they didn't receive it?"
People always ask me this. If you used "Ship with Depop," you are protected.
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The Protection: As long as the tracking says "Delivered," Depop will side with you.
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The Risk: If you shipped on your own and didn't use a tracked service (like sticking a stamp on an envelope), you will lose the case instantly. Never ship without tracking.
"How do I get paid?"
Depop payouts work on a delay.
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New Sellers: It can take 10 business days after the sale to get your first payout.
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Established Sellers: It usually takes 1-2 days after the item is scanned as "Delivered."
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Where: It goes straight to the bank account you linked in the "Depop Payments" settings. You cannot cash out to Venmo or PayPal.
Conclusion
Learning how do you sell on depop is more about culture than mechanics. The app itself is simple: upload photo, set price, ship. The hard part is understanding that you aren't just selling a product; you are selling an aesthetic.
If you are willing to put in 10% more effort on your photos and use the right keywords (like "Y2K," "Gorpcore," or "Coquette"), you can command prices 30% higher than on Poshmark or eBay. And with the 0% selling fee, that profit stays in your pocket.
So, grab your phone, find some natural light, and list that first item. The algorithm is waiting.
If you are looking to source more inventory to feed your shop, check out our guide on how to source at the bins. And if you want to make sure your pricing is competitive, read our breakdown of Depop pricing strategies for 2025.
FAQ
Here's something everyone wants to know: Does Depop charge a monthly fee? No. Depop is free to join and free to list items. There are no monthly subscription fees for a standard account. You only pay fees (like the transaction processing fee) when an item actually sells.
Common question I see: How do I handle returns on Depop? Depop does not require sellers to accept returns for "buyer's remorse" (e.g., it doesn't fit). You are only required to accept a return if the item is "Not As Described" (e.g., it has a hole you didn't mention). If a buyer wants to return an item simply because they changed their mind, you can politely decline, or suggest they "Repop" (resell) the item using your photos.
People always ask me: How do you sell clothes on Depop fast? Speed on Depop comes down to Refresh and Price.
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Refresh: Go to your listing, click "Edit," and then "Save" (without changing anything). This bumps your item to the top of the search feed. Do this daily.
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Price: Price competitively. Check what similar items sold for (not what they are listed for) and undercut them by $2.
