If you're like me and have a hard time getting rid of things [1], then your closet is likely bursting at the seams with ratty old T-shirts and trousers that don't even fit anymore. Although I'm a self-professed thrifting guru — I just can't help myself — I've never had a proper place to store any of my exciting new finds. That is, until I discovered Depop [2].
For the uninitiated, Depop is an online reselling platform where users can buy clothes directly from sellers. While there is no shortage of competition [3] in the resale space (see: Poshmark, The RealReal, thredUP, etc.), Depop first appealed to me because it functions just like any other social media app: you add a profile pic, write a quick bio, and follow some of your favourite shops and sellers. I wanted to start selling my clothes, but if I'm being honest, I was intimidated — I've never sold my clothes anywhere before, let alone on the interweb, and I didn't know if people would even want them in the first place. How do I know if I'm charging the right price? What do I do when someone buys an item from me?
But that was then, and this is now. Months after my foray into the unknown, I consider myself a seasoned Depop pro (thank you, quarantine!). With that in mind, I put together this comprehensive guide to selling your clothes on the app. That way, the next time you open your closet, a million cable-knit sweaters won't tumble out (yes, that happened to me). Keep reading for six tips on how to use Depop like an expert.
Know Your Market
Before you start selling on Depop, do some research on what people are actually buying. Supply and demand, baby! If you're just trying to get rid of your £10 T-shirt from Zara, chances are there will be little interest. But a vintage pair of Levi's from Goodwill? Yup, you can easily make a sale. Scroll through Depop to see what other people are selling and for how much. But don't get discouraged if no one buys your clothes right away. Depop is a difficult market to break through, so sometimes it just takes time.
Include a Lot of Detail in Your Item Listing
Once you've gathered a collection of items to sell, you have to post them on Depop. When describing an item in a listing, it's important to be as detailed as possible. Use keywords like "Y2K [5]", "Brandy Melville", or "vintage," so that people can search for your items easily, and don't forget to include the quality or condition (like the coveted "NWT"). Always add measurements to your listings as well, so buyers know exactly how each item would fit.
Take Good Photos
Taking high-quality snaps of your items is another way to boost your listing. Depop acts just like any other social media app, so photos are key to building your shop. The two most successful photograph styles on Depop are flat lays and model shots. Flat lays — when a clothing item is laid out, usually behind a backdrop or a solid background — look best in natural lighting. According to the Depop Seller Handbook, model shots will increase your item's likeliness of selling by a whopping 60 percent, so it might be wise to get ready for your close up.
Do the Maths
One of the most difficult aspects of selling your clothes is finding the right price for each item. You don't want to upsell, but you also want to make a profit. There's no one way to price an item on Depop — every jacket, bag, or pair of jeans is going to be different. Some factors that can help you decide on a price include where you sourced the item, what other people are selling it for, the brand name, the quality, and how much time went into making it (if you designed the item yourself). Keep in mind that Depop charges a 10 percent flat rate fee for every item sold, and there may also be additional fees when using PayPal.
