Buzz
Understand how Depop ensures user safety and how you can protect yourself while shopping
Depop is a reliable platform for purchasing and selling secondhand clothing and accessories. While the site is generally safe, it’s important to be aware of the potential for scammers. Always check seller reviews and product descriptions carefully before making a purchase. In this article, we’ll outline the safety features Depop provides to users, tips for secure shopping, and the common scams to avoid.
Can you trust Depop?
Depop is a reputable online marketplace that is generally safe for buying and selling. As with any e-commerce platform, there is a risk of encountering fraudulent activity. Depop offers buyer protection, including refunds for items that don’t arrive or are damaged, and provides safeguards for both buyers and sellers in case of disputes.
How to Stay Safe
Is Depop a trustworthy platform?
Yes, Depop is a legitimate platform for buying and selling fashion items. Depop is an online marketplace where users can buy and sell secondhand clothing and accessories. Founded in 2011, the platform now boasts 35 million registered users around the world.
- Depop’s headquarters are in London, with additional offices in Manchester and New York City.
- Currently, Depop is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and no ratings are available online.
- Depop is owned by Etsy, a well-known e-commerce site that specializes in handmade and vintage items.
What are the risks of shopping on Depop?
Scammers and unreliable users can be a concern on Depop. While Depop is a legitimate site and is largely considered safe to use, it shares common risks with other online marketplaces such as Poshmark, Mercari, and eBay. Since users act as both buyers and sellers, it’s essential to be cautious and buy from trusted sellers to avoid potential fraud.
- Some users have reported issues such as sellers not shipping items, sending counterfeit goods, or receiving items that don’t match the descriptions.
- Fortunately, Depop has safeguards in place to protect both buyers and sellers. We’ll explain these protections below.
- Don’t worry—we’ll also share tips on how to shop safely and sell securely on Depop!
How Depop Ensures Buyer and Seller Protection
Depop guarantees full refunds for items that are either missing or damaged. With Depop Protection, buyers are eligible for a full refund if the item doesn’t arrive, arrives in damaged condition, or is not as described. To qualify for a refund, the purchase must be made through the Depop app or website, and the issue must be reported within 30 days of the transaction.
- Depop will not provide buyer protection or refunds for purchases made outside the app or site, such as through Venmo, bank transfers, or in-person exchanges.
Depop offers protection to sellers in case their item is lost or damaged. Sellers are also covered by Depop Protection if their item is lost or damaged during shipping. To be eligible for protection, the transaction must occur within the app or website, the item must be shipped with a Depop shipping label within 5 days of the sale, and the item must be lost or damaged in transit while being sent to the buyer’s address as per the receipt.
- Depop Protection covers sales up to $300 (£250).
- Currently, Depop Protection is available only to users in the US or UK.
- Selling prohibited items according to Depop’s policies will make you ineligible for this protection.
Depop provides secure transaction methods. Depop keeps your purchases and sales secure through Depop Payments. This includes payment methods such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit and debit cards, and Klarna.
- Depop Payments are powered by Stripe Connect, a trusted payment platform used by other well-known sites like Amazon.
Depop features two-factor authentication for enhanced security. To protect your account, Depop strongly recommends enabling two-factor authentication. This requires both your password and a code sent to your phone number to log in, adding an extra layer of security to your account.
Users can rate sellers and leave feedback after a purchase. After completing a transaction, Depop allows buyers to review and rate sellers, leaving comments about their experience. This feature helps you assess which sellers are reliable, trustworthy, and prompt in fulfilling their orders.
Will Depop issue a refund if you're scammed?
Yes, Depop offers refunds for items that are missing or damaged. If the seller fails to ship your item or if it arrives damaged or doesn’t match the description, you can open a dispute in the Depop Resolution Centre. This initiates a conversation with the seller to resolve the issue. If no resolution is reached, escalate the dispute to Depop for further investigation.
- Before opening a dispute for a missing item, you must allow the seller 5 days to ship it.
- If the seller doesn’t respond within 48 hours in the Resolution Centre, Depop will automatically refund you.
- You have 30 days from the purchase date to request a refund.
- Note: If you paid through PayPal, Depop recommends opening a dispute on PayPal’s website instead.
How to Shop Safely on Depop
Only complete transactions through the Depop app or website. Depop ensures protection against scams and damaged items only when purchases are made through the app or site. Avoid deals where the seller asks you to pay via external methods, such as Venmo or in person.
Purchase from sellers with positive feedback. Always check the seller’s ratings and reviews before making a purchase. Previous buyers’ feedback will help you assess the accuracy of listings, the reliability of shipping, and overall satisfaction.
- If a seller has few reviews or most of their feedback is negative, it’s safer to avoid buying from them.
Thoroughly review the item description and photos. Carefully read the item’s description to understand what you’re purchasing, its condition, and any details about sizing or fit. Then, examine the photos to ensure they match the description.
- Avoid sellers who use stock photos instead of their own images. This could indicate they are concealing something about the item or could be a scammer.
- Tip: Perform a reverse image search on Google to check if the seller’s photos are original or taken from another source (like the manufacturer’s site). This can also help you assess the average price of the item to ensure you're not being overcharged.
Ask the seller any questions you have about the item. Before hitting “Buy,” reach out to the seller for any clarifications you need about the item. This not only helps you gain more insight into the product but also allows you to assess if the seller is responsive, helpful, and trustworthy.
- Note: Always keep your communication within the Depop app or website. This makes it easier to provide the conversation history to Depop if an issue arises with your order.
Report any suspicious behavior to Depop. If you notice anything odd about a user or your account, contact Depop’s customer service team immediately. This includes receiving requests for personal information, unexpected messages or emails claiming to be from Depop, or spotting listings you didn’t post on your account.
- Never open emails, links, or messages that seem suspicious, as they might be attempts to steal your information.
- All official emails from Depop end with “@depop.com.” Depop will never ask for your personal or account details outside the app or website.
How to Sell Safely on Depop
Only complete transactions through the Depop app or website. Depop Protection for sellers is only available when you make transactions via the Depop app or website. Avoid buyers who try to make deals outside of the platform, as they could be attempting to scam you.
Ensure payment is received before sending the item. While it’s essential to ship your item promptly to keep your customer satisfied, it’s equally important to wait until the buyer’s transaction is confirmed. This protects you from potential fraud and helps ensure you don't lose out on a sale.
Provide a tracking number for your shipments. To qualify for seller protection, Depop requires that you include tracking information with your orders. If you use Depop’s shipping label, the tracking details will be automatically provided to the buyer. If you handle shipping on your own, be sure to click the “Mark as Shipped” button and enter the tracking number for the buyer’s reference.
Do not share personal information with buyers or other users. If a Depop user requests your email, phone number, payment details, account info, or social media accounts, contact Depop’s customer service immediately. Depop doesn’t require any of this personal information to complete a transaction and will never ask for it either.
Create accurate and detailed listings for your items. Make sure your item descriptions include precise details, such as the brand, size, color, and any flaws or damage. Include clear, original photos that showcase the item’s condition.
- If selling a luxury item, include any tags, certificates, or authentication documents to verify its authenticity.
Common Depop Scams to Watch Out For
Be cautious of scams that target both buyers and sellers. Scammers on Depop and other e-commerce platforms like eBay, Mercari, and Poshmark use similar tactics to deceive users, including:
- Requests to make transactions outside of Depop. Buyers or sellers may ask you to complete a transaction on a third-party payment platform instead of Depop. This prevents you from receiving Depop’s assistance or any potential refunds in case of issues.
- Emails pretending to be Depop. Scammers may email you from an address pretending to be Depop in an attempt to steal your personal data. Always remember that legitimate Depop emails come from “@depop.com” and they will never ask for personal details outside of the app.
- Listing counterfeit goods. Some sellers may try to pass off fake items as authentic. Always examine items carefully for authenticity signs and request proof from the seller. Trust your instincts—if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Address switching. A buyer may ask you to ship an item to a different address than the one on the receipt, which allows them to claim they never received it and demand a refund. Always ship to the address on the receipt to ensure Depop’s protection.
What are the downsides of selling secondhand items on Depop?
Depop charges a commission and can be slow in resolving issues. Many users complain about Depop’s commission, which takes 5 to 10% of your sale, and its sluggish customer service response times. Additionally, there are risks associated with scams from both buyers and sellers. However, these downsides are not exclusive to Depop and are common across other e-commerce platforms like Mercari, eBay, and Poshmark.
- If your items aren't selling well on Depop, consider other platforms:
- Poshmark tends to attract Millennials and older buyers, while Depop is more popular with Gen Z and young Millennials.
- Etsy is known for being ideal for selling vintage items.
- Alternatively, you can sell your items to a local consignment shop.
