Is Depop Legit: What You Need to Know Before You Shop or Sell!

With the emergence of technology, new actors have emerged from different walks of life. However, there is always a question associated with such things, whether it is legit or not. The same is being discussed about Depop. Understanding the importance of this question, I have decided to cover it for you. Let us find out whether it is legit or not. Stay tuned to know. 

Depop is quite popular among Gen Z and millennials. The platform blends a social media-like experience with e-commerce, offering an intuitive app interface that earns high praise. The platform is quite reliable. There are millions who use this platform to buy and sell things. 

Is Depop legit? Let us dive into knowing the answer to this question and more. Stay connected. 

What is Depop?

Depop is an online buying and selling platform that deals in the sale of second-hand clothes and accessories. It has made a name for itself when it comes to selling & buying good-quality second-hand clothes. The company has been in the fray since 2011 and has over 35 million registered users as of now. 

It is headquartered in London. However, the company has its offices in Manchester and New York. The company is eyeing opening its office in more cities. 

Is Depop Legit and Safe?

Yes, Depop is legit and safe. This is an authentic and genuine platform. But the question that follows is: what are the points to substantiate the claim that it is legit? Here are some of the key points that answer your question:

1. Time: It was established in the year 2011. Only a genuine and authentic platform can survive for such an extended period of time. 

2. Registered Users: It has over 35 million registered users and is operational in multiple countries, which is a good enough reason to deem it legit. 

3. Buyer Protection: It has put in place a buyer protection policy aimed at securing the rights of buyers. Only a legit company can think of having such a policy in place. 

How Depop Protects Its Buyers and Sellers? 

Now comes the most important question. Depop takes certain proactive measures to protect buyers and sellers from potential scams or getting duped. Here is how it protects its buyers and sellers: 

1. Refund 

Depop offers a full refund for orders that are either damaged or don’t arrive well in time as described by the sellers. In such a case, you are eligible for a refund. All you need to do is go to the Depop app or website and report your issue within 30 days of the date of purchase. 

Note: Buyer protection or full refunds are not guaranteed if you don’t purchase from the app or site. If you send money to sellers via Venmo or a bank transfer or meet them in person, you are not eligible for a refund. 

2. Seller’s Protection If Item is Lost or Damaged

According to the Depop protection Policy, you are protected in case your item is damaged or lost. However, this is in rare cases. To be eligible for protection, the sale has to be made through the platform’s website or app. The item should be sent with a platform’s shipping label within 5 days of the transaction date, be lost or damaged in transit, and sent to the buyer’s address according to your receipt. 

Here are some of the key points you have to keep in mind while applying for compensation under Consumer Protection: 

• Sales up to $300 (£250) are eligible for Depop Protection.
• Currently, only users shipping from the US or UK are eligible for the said protection.
• Selling prohibited items according to Depop’s policies automatically makes you ineligible for Depop Protection.

3. Safe and Secure Ways of Making Payments

This platform allows safe and secure ways of making payments. It ensures that all the purchases and sales are secure with Depop Payments. You can make your payment via the Depop app or site, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit and debit cards, and Klarna. 

Besides, Depop Payments are powered by Stripe Connect, the platform used by most legitimate commerce sites like Amazon and others. 

4. Two-Factor Authentication

In order to ensure the safety and security of your account, it encourages two-factor authentication, according to which you have to enter your password and a code sent to your phone number to log in to your account. This is aimed at keeping your account more secure. 

5. Review Sellers and Leave Feedback

Depop allows you to rate the seller and leave a comment about the transaction. You are allowed to review sellers and leave feedback once you receive your order. This helps you see which sellers are trustworthy, reliable, and send their items on time. 

Also, read Is Etsy Legit: How Safe is It to Shop There?

Will Depop Refund You If You Get Scammed? 

You can get a refund only for those orders that are damaged, lost, or have arrived later than the described date. However, there is a set procedure to raise your issue and claim a refund. Here is what you need to do: 

• Give the seller 5 days to ship your item before you open a dispute about not receiving it.
• You will be automatically refunded if the seller fails to respond to your message within 48 hours in the Resolution Center. The refund will be given to you.
• You can request a refund within 30 days after the date of purchase. 

Note: If you made your purchase using PayPal, Depop asks you to open a dispute on PayPal’s website. 

Important Points to Consider While Buying From Depop

There are some key points that you have to keep in mind while you opt to purchase from Depop. Here are some of the important things that you have to remember: 

1. Make Transactions Via the Depop App or Website

Refrain from paying through the app that is not recognized by Depop. You are guaranteed protection from potential scams and damaged items only if they fall within the established criteria of the Customer Protection Policy. 

2. Buy From Sellers With Good Reviews

Before you opt for the purchase, go through the seller’s rating and reviews. These reviews give you an idea about the quality and the type of product sold on the platform. Previous buyer’s reviews can tell you if they are happy with their purchases. 

If the seller does not have a considerable number of reviews available or if the reviews and ratings are negative, it is better to avoid buying from them. 

3. Check the Item Description and Photos Carefully

Make sure you carefully check the item description and photos. Go through the item description to know what you are buying. Get an idea of what condition it is in, and see if there are any notes about sizing or fit. Go through the photo gallery to check what the product looks like. Here are some important things you must consider: 

•  Avoid buying from those who use stock pictures instead of their own photos. Using stock pictures means they are hiding something. 
• You can use Reverse image search on Google to check the authenticity and genuineness of the picture uploaded.

4. Ask the Seller Questions About the Item

If you have any questions about the item, don’t shy away from asking direct questions to the seller. Ask whatever you want to ask about the item. This will give you clarity about the item. Besides this also helps you see if the seller is responsive, helpful, and ultimately trustworthy. 

5. Report Suspicious Users and Activity to Depop

In case you notice any suspicious user or activity, report it to the Depop customer care department for the appropriate action. Provide the proof and evidence to substantiate your claim. 

Keep all of your conversations on the Depop app or website. In the event that something goes wrong with your order, this makes it easier to submit your conversations for the redressal of your issue.

How to Sell Safely on Depop?

Now, the question remains: how to sell safely on Depop. Here is how:

1. Sell Items Through the Depop App or Website Only

Resort to selling through the Depop App or Website only. Don’t sell anything off the website. Since selling via app and website is covered under customer protection, this means you to claim a refund in case of dispute. 

2. Wait to Receive Your Funds Before Shipping the Item

Don’t hurry up to ship the item as soon as you receive the order. Even though early delivery is important for customer satisfaction. But it is important to receive the funds first and then proceed with the shipping of the item. 

3. Add a Tracking Number to Your Orders

To ensure seller protection, Depop asks you to add the tracking number to your order. If you ship an item using Depop’s shipping label, the tracking number is automatically added for the buyer. If you arranged your own shipping, tap the “Mark as Shipped” button on your receipt and enter the tracking number for the buyer. 

4. Do Not Give Out Personal Information to Buyers or Other Users

Avoid giving any sort of personal information to buyers or other users. Contact Depop’s customer service to report any such user who ask for your email address, phone number, payment details, account information, or social media handles. 

Note: The said marketplace does not ask you for any such kind of information; therefore will not ask you for the same. 

5. Create Clear and Accurate Listings for Your Items

Creating clear and accurate listings for your items will make the navigation easy for the users. Use accurate information in the description of your items. Add your own photos of the item that provide an accurate view of the item’s condition. 

If you are selling a luxury item, include any tags, certificates, or authentication information that confirms it’s real.

Common Depop Scams to Look Out For

Here are some of the common Depop scams to look out for: 

1. Requesting Transactions be Made Off-Depop

When you are asked by buyers and sellers to make payment through third-party apps, this is an attempted fraud by scammers who want to dupe you. Always avoid making any transaction through such apps that are not accepted by Depop. 

2. Emails Impersonating Depop

In order to elicit the information from you, some accounts might try to reach out to you impersonating Depop. They will steal your information and use it to scam you. Don’t entertain any such request for the reason that the said platform never asks for your personal information off the app. 

3.  Selling Counterfeit Items

This platform never sells counterfeit items. If you find any seller selling counterfeit items in the guise of Depop, always inspect for the signs of authenticity and ensure you request authentication from the seller to be doubly sure that the seller is not fraudulent. 

4. Switching Shipping Addresses

If a buyer asks the seller to send the items to a different address than what is listed on your receipt. This is a well-thought-out process by the scammers as it allows them to claim that they never received their item and get a refund. Always send items to the address in your seller’s receipt to stay protected by Depop. 

Ratings of Depop

Here is how Depop is rated by the tip rating and review sites: 

1. Google Play Store

Depop has 3.5 stars from over 77,000 reviews on the Google Play Store. This indicates a moderate level of user satisfaction. A 3.5-star rating suggests a mixed reception. While it is above the average rating of 2.5 stars, it falls short of the higher ratings seen on platforms like the App Store. 

This rating is exclusively from the Android users. It reflects the collective user experience on Android platforms, providing insight into how the Depop mobile app is perceived by its users. 

2. App Store

Depop has a rating of 4.8 stars and 470,000 reviews on the App Store. This indicates a high level of user satisfaction among iOS users. A 4.8-star rating is notably high, suggesting that the majority of iOS users have a positive experience with the Depop app. Compared to the 3.5-star Google Play Store rating, the App Store score highlights a stronger alignment with iOS users’ expectations and fewer technical issues.

3. Trustpilot

Depop is rated “Bad” with 1.3 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot, based on 6,819 reviews. 6,819, a significant sample size reflecting a broad range of user experiences. This low rating indicates widespread dissatisfaction among users, contrasting sharply with its higher ratings on app stores: 4.8 stars on the App Store, 3.5 stars on Google Play Store.

My Take: Is Depop Legit

Depop is a legitimate platform, but its peer-to-peer nature comes with caveats that affect its reliability. As a marketplace for secondhand fashion, it is a real business with millions of users, a functional app, and a focus on sustainable, unique clothing, which appeals strongly to Gen Z and millennials. 

Having said that, legitimacy does not guarantee a flawless experience. The rating available across the different rating platforms suggests that Depop has certain flaws, which can not be ignored either. 

Also, read Is DHgate Legit? A Buyer’s Guide to Safe Shopping

Conclusion 

So it has come to the fore that Depop is a legitimate peer-to-peer marketplace for secondhand fashion, operating successfully since 2011 with millions of users worldwide. It has become a popular platform over a period of time. So, the question of the said platform being an illegal platform doesn’t hold much weight. There are substantial proofs that prove it is legit and authentic. In this article, I have at length explained the different questions, including whether it is legit. You can go through this article to know more in detail. Keep visiting our website for more content like this. 

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