I still remember the first time I opened the app in late 2019. It felt less like a store and more like Instagram had a baby with a thrift shop. I was hunting for a specific vintage 1990s NASCAR jacket, the kind that usually costs a fortune in curated vintage boutiques. I found one listed for $45. The price seemed suspicious. The seller had three reviews. The photos were grainy.
My thumb hovered over the "Buy" button for a solid ten minutes. Was I about to throw forty-five dollars into a black hole?
I took the risk. Five days later, a neon yellow poly-mailer arrived on my doorstep. The jacket was perfect. It even smelled like old attic, which in the vintage world, is practically a certificate of authenticity. That singular transaction hooked me, but it also taught me that the platform is a mix of treasure hunting and risk management. Since then, I have bought and sold over 400 items on the platform, navigating everything from lost packages to disputes with sellers who ghosted me.
The platform architecture: Is Depop a legit site?
When people ask is Depop a legit site, they are usually asking two different things. First, will the app steal my credit card info? And second, will I actually get my stuff?
The answer to the first part is a definitive yes. In 2021, Etsy acquired Depop for $1.6 billion. This isn't some fly-by-night operation run out of a basement. They use standard encryption, and they have transitioned heavily toward their own payment processor, "Depop Payments," which integrates with Stripe.
However, the second part—whether you get your stuff—is where it gets interesting.
Unlike Amazon or ASOS, Depop owns zero inventory. It is a peer-to-peer marketplace. When you buy something, you are trusting that "CoolVintageGuy99" actually goes to the post office.
I learned this distinction the hard way in 2021. I bought a pair of "vintage" Levi's. The seller had great photos. But after two weeks, the item hadn't shipped. I messaged him. Silence. I messaged again. Nothing.
This brings us to the safety net. Because I paid through the app, I was able to open a dispute. It took about a week, but I got a full refund. So, while the seller wasn't legit, the system worked.
Depop is it legit regarding "Vintage" items?
The biggest complaint I see (and have experienced) revolves around the definition of "vintage."
The platform is famous for its Y2K and 90s aesthetic. But there is a massive problem with mislabeling. I once bought a "vintage 90s fairy grunge top" for $30. When it arrived, I checked the inner tag. It was from Shein. It was currently selling on Shein's website for $6.
The seller had cut the tag out in the photo, but left the inner wash tag which had the tell-tale production code.
This doesn't mean the app is a scam, but it means the culture can be deceptive. Sellers know that tagging something as "vintage" or "Y2K" justifies a markup. As a buyer, you have to be a detective.
(I actually kept the shirt because it was cute, but I left a scathing review about the misrepresentation. The seller blocked me immediately.)
How to know if Depop seller is legit: My vetting process
Over the years, I developed a strict protocol for vetting sellers. If you want to know how to know if Depop seller is legit, you cannot just look at the star rating.
Here is my checklist:
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The Bio Check: Does it say "Message before buying"? This isn't a red flag per se, but it often means they are cross-listing on other platforms. If I buy without messaging, and they've already sold it on eBay, I'm stuck waiting for a refund.
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The Review Deep Dive: Don't just look at the number. Read the text. "Fast shipping" is good. "Item as described" is better. If I see multiple reviews saying "Item had a stain not mentioned" or "Smelled like smoke," I pass.
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The "Active" Status: Under their username, it says when they were last active. If it says "Active over a week ago," do not buy. They have likely deleted the app and forgotten about their shop.
I ignored rule #3 once. I bought a hat from a seller who hadn't been active in 3 weeks. I waited a month. Eventually, I found their Instagram, DM'd them, and they replied, "Oh sorry, I don't use Depop anymore." I got my refund, but my money was tied up for 45 days.
How to tell if Depop seller is legit using photos
Photos are the only truth you have. And they can be manipulated.
I use a tool called Google Lens on almost every purchase over $50. I take a screenshot of the listing and run it through Lens.
Why? Because scammers love to steal photos from legitimate sellers on eBay or Poshmark and list them on Depop for half the price.
In 2022, I found a pair of Jordan 1s listed for $120. A steal. The photos looked professional. I ran them through Google Lens and found the exact same photos on an eBay listing from a Power Seller in Germany, selling the shoes for $400. The Depop seller was a fraud.
How to tell if Depop seller is legit comes down to "proof of life." If the price is too good and the photos look like stock images, I message the seller: "Can you send me a photo of the item with a piece of paper with your username written on it?"
If they refuse or ghost, they are a scammer. 100% of the time.
Is Depop a legit website for luxury goods?
This is an area where I exercise extreme caution. Unlike Poshmark or eBay, which have robust authentication programs for items over a certain price point, Depop's authentication is less emphasized (though they are improving).
I generally avoid buying high-end luxury (Gucci, LV, Prada) on Depop unless the seller has hundreds of reviews and proof of purchase.
However, I do use the platform to sell mid-range luxury. But managing listings across multiple sites is a headache. I use Closo to automate cross-listing my inventory. It allows me to take my Depop listings and push them to Poshmark (where luxury buyers feel safer) with a single click. Closo saves me about 3 hours weekly by syncing my inventory, so I don't sell the same bag twice.
The drop-shipping plague
If you search is depop legit reddit, you will find hundreds of threads complaining about drop-shippers.
Drop-shipping is when a seller lists an item they don't own. When you buy it, they order it from AliExpress or Temu for $3, ship it directly to your house, and pocket the $25 difference.
This is technically against Depop's terms of service, but it is rampant.
How do you spot them?
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Stock photos (models with heads cut off or very stylized studio lighting).
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"Shipping takes 2-4 weeks." (Local shipping should take 3-5 days).
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Multiple sizes available (S, M, L, XL). Most vintage sellers only have one unique item.
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Descriptions filled with generic buzzwords like "aesthetic," "cottagecore," "vibe."
I hate drop-shippers because they clog the feed. I want to buy someone's used denim jacket, not a polyester reproduction from a factory.
Staying safe: The "Out of App" scam
Now the tricky part regarding payment. The number one rule of staying safe on is depop a legit website: Never, ever communicate or pay outside the app.
Scammers will message you: "Hey, can I pay you via Venmo or CashApp to save on fees?" or "Email me at scammer@gmail.com for more photos."
If you pay outside the app, you have zero protection. None. If they take your money and disappear, Depop support cannot help you.
I had a buyer try this on me recently. They offered to pay $20 extra if I shipped it overnight and paid via PayPal Friends & Family. It was tempting. But "Friends & Family" payments cannot be disputed. I declined. They blocked me. Bullet dodged.
Dispute resolution: When things go wrong
Even with legitimate sellers, things happen. Packages get lost. Items get damaged in transit.
I sold a ceramic vase in 2023. I packed it in bubble wrap, double-boxed it, and prayed. It arrived shattered.
The buyer was understandably upset. They opened a dispute. Because I had shipped using a Depop shipping label, the package was insured.
Here is the process:
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Buyer submits photos of damage.
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Depop reviews the claim.
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Depop refunded the buyer and released the funds to me because I had followed their packing guidelines.
This is why I always recommend using Depop's own shipping labels rather than arranging your own. It acts as an insurance policy for both parties.
People always ask me: Why are the fees so high?
Common question I see is about the cost. Depop takes a 10% fee on the total transaction (item price + shipping cost). Plus, there is a transaction fee for payment processing (around 3%).
So, on a $100 sale, you are losing about $13-14.
Is it worth it? In my opinion, yes. You are paying for the audience. The user base is young, trendy, and willing to pay a premium for curated style. I tried selling the same vintage tees on Facebook Marketplace (free), and people wanted to haggle me down to $5. On Depop, they pay $25 without blinking.
You are paying for access to a specific demographic that values aesthetic over utility.
The social aspect: Reviews matter
Reputation is the currency of the platform. When I sell, I include a small handwritten note and sometimes a sticker in the package. It costs me pennies, but it almost guarantees a 5-star review.
As a buyer, I look for sellers who engage. If I ask for a measurement and they reply, "Pit to pit is 20 inches," that's a human being. If they reply, "Check the size chart," that's likely a drop-shipper or a volume seller who doesn't care.
I admit, I am sometimes bad at leaving reviews myself. But I realized that the ecosystem relies on it. If we don't review the good sellers, the scammers are harder to spot.
Tools I use to run my Depop shop
If you are thinking about selling, or just want to be a better buyer, a few tools help.
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Pirate Ship: If I offer free shipping (which boosts sales), I use Pirate Ship to buy labels. It is often cheaper than the post office counter.
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Canva: I use this to make a nice banner for my shop bio.
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Closo: As mentioned, for cross-listing. It helps me keep my "active" status alive on multiple platforms without doing double the work.
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Poshmark: I use Poshmark as a price checker. If I see a jacket on Depop for $100, I check Poshmark to see if it's selling for $50 there.
Common question I see: Is it safe to trade items?
"Swapping" or trading is common in the culture. "Will you swap for this?" is a comment you will see often.
Is it legit? Technically, yes. Is it safe? No.
There is no formal "swap" function in the app. The way people do it is they both list their items for $1 and buy each other's listings.
I did a swap once in 2020. I sent my item. The other person sent... nothing. Because the transaction value was only $1, I only got $1 back from support. I lost a $60 hoodie.
My advice: Never swap unless you know the person or they have hundreds of specific "swap" reviews. Even then, it is risky.
Conclusion
So, is Depop legit? Yes. It is a vibrant, chaotic, and incredibly useful marketplace for finding unique fashion. It is not a sterile shopping mall; it is a bazaar.
You will find gems you can't find anywhere else. You will also find overpriced fast fashion masquerading as vintage. You will meet incredibly cool sellers who write you thank you notes, and you will meet people who ghost you for three weeks.
To navigate it safely, you need to be proactive. Read the reviews. Reverse image search the photos. Never go off-app. If you treat it with a healthy dose of skepticism, it can be the best place on the internet to build your wardrobe.
My final recommendation: Start small. Buy a $20 t-shirt before you buy the $200 boots. Test the waters, learn the signs, and happy hunting.
FAQ
Is it safe to pay through PayPal on Depop? Previously, PayPal was the main payment method, but Depop has largely transitioned to "Depop Payments" (Apple Pay, Credit Card, etc.) within the app. While PayPal is safe and offers Buyer Protection, Depop Payments is preferred by the platform for smoother dispute resolution. The most important rule is: never send a "Friends and Family" payment on PayPal, as it removes all your protection.
Why do some sellers ask to message before buying? This usually means the seller has the item listed on multiple platforms (like eBay, Poshmark, or Mercari) and wants to ensure they haven't sold it elsewhere first. It can also mean they want to calculate accurate shipping costs for your location. It is generally a sign of a conscientious seller, not a scammer.
What happens if I receive a fake item? If you receive a counterfeit item that was described as authentic, you are covered by Depop's Buyer Protection. You must open a dispute within 30 days of the purchase. You will be asked to provide photos of the item and proof that it is fake (such as comparing it to an authentic example). Once verified, you will usually need to return the item to get a full refund.
