Depop isn’t just an app. It’s like the thrift store that got dipped in Instagram’s aesthetic sauce and then sprinkled with eBay’s hustle dust. People are flipping vintage tees, handmade jewelry, and random Y2K relics into cash, and some are making a full-time living doing it. If you’re asking how to get money from Depop, you’re really asking how to play the resale game like a mix of a social media influencer and a back-alley merchant with a Wi-Fi connection. Let’s tear into the strategies that actually work.
Setting Up Shop Without Looking Basic
Opening a Depop account is the digital equivalent of renting a flea market stall, but the vibe matters more. A plain profile screams amateur, while a cohesive aesthetic screams “pay me.”
Checklist for setup:
- Choose a username that matches your vibe (no random numbers unless you want to look like a spam bot).
- Add a bio that’s short, snarky, or niche-specific.
- Upload a profile picture that feels on-brand. Think “cool thrift queen,” “streetwear plug,” or “grandma’s closet but curated.”
Your shop is your storefront, and like any decent storefront, the design needs to pull people in before they even see the products.
Listings That Don’t Collect Digital Dust
Depop is a visual-first platform. That means your photos are doing the heavy lifting, not your sob story about needing gas money.
Photo hacks:
- Use natural light like you’re staging a Vogue cover for your sneakers.
- Model clothes if possible. Flat lays look lazy compared to someone actually wearing the item.
- Shoot multiple angles. Shoppers want to see the hem, the tag, and the weird stain on the sleeve if it’s there.
Descriptions that pop:
- Lead with keywords like “Vintage 90s Nike Windbreaker” instead of “Cool jacket.”
- Mention size, measurements, and condition.
- Add personality. “Perfect for pretending you’re in a 1997 boy band music video.”
Understanding How Depop Payments Work
Selling is fun until you ask, “Where’s my money?” Depop doesn’t just drop cash into your lap immediately. Instead, it routes payments through Depop Payments (Stripe or PayPal depending on your region).
According to Depop’s payout guide, funds hit your balance after the item is delivered and marked as received. Standard payout times range from 2 business days after delivery to up to 10 working days if the buyer drags their feet.
Translation: patience is a feature, not a bug. The platform is designed to protect buyers and sellers, so don’t freak out if the money isn’t instant.
Fees, Because The House Always Wins
Depop takes its cut like a mob boss who just spotted your lunch money. Normally it’s 10% of the sale price plus transaction fees, but changes roll out regionally. For example, as of 2024, UK sellers saw the 10% fee moved to buyers instead (Depop announcement).
Always check your region’s latest fee structure before pricing. Build the cost into your listing or you’ll end up making pennies on that $40 pair of jeans you sourced for $10.
Boosting Visibility Like A Social Media Wizard
Depop runs on a feed that looks like Instagram, so your items need to keep resurfacing to get seen. The trick is engagement, not waiting for random miracles.
Tactics to get noticed:
- Relist or refresh items regularly to push them back up the feed.
- Use hashtags smartly. “#VintageY2K” works better than “#cuteclothes.”
- Price strategically. Undercut competitors just enough to look like a deal without cheapening your brand.
- Respond quickly to messages. Depop rewards active sellers with more visibility.
It’s less about selling stuff and more about performing like you’re running your own quirky boutique.
Real Seller Stories That Prove It Works
If you need proof that Depop money is real, meet Internet Girl (aka Bella McFadden), who reportedly made over a million dollars selling curated bundles of Y2K-inspired clothing (Business of Fashion). That’s not side hustle territory, that’s empire-building territory.
On the smaller scale, Reddit sellers report anywhere from $500 a month in consistent pocket money to several thousand if they treat it like a part-time job. The hustle is real, but so are the receipts.
Shipping Without Losing Your Mind
Shipping is where dreams of profit go to die if you don’t manage it right.
Options include:
- Depop’s integrated shipping labels (available in the US and UK).
- DIY shipping via USPS, Royal Mail, or your local courier.
- Adding shipping costs to the buyer versus including “free shipping” in your price.
Pro tip: buyers love free shipping even when it’s baked into the cost. It feels like a hack even though it’s not.
Pros And Cons Of Depop Hustling
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low barrier to entry | Fees cut into margins |
| Built-in audience of Gen Z and millennial shoppers | Shipping can be a headache |
| Visual, social-media style platform | Payment delays can frustrate sellers |
| Flexibility to sell part-time or full-time | High competition in popular niches |
The Weird Economics Of Depop
Think of Depop like a digital ecosystem where clout equals cash. The sellers who thrive aren’t always the ones with the rarest finds. They’re the ones who curate, style, and brand their shop like it’s an online persona. Selling on Depop is half thrifting and half theater.
You’re not just unloading your closet. You’re building a micro-business that’s part retail, part Instagram influencer, and part hustle culture meme. The money is real, but it flows best when you treat the app like a stage instead of just a selling platform.
Turning Casual Selling Into A Pro-Level Depop Hustle
Once you’ve listed a few items and seen some sales trickle in, it’s time to stop playing the digital yard sale game and start running your shop like a real business. The difference between making coffee money and rent money is branding, consistency, and knowing how to work the platform like a magician pulling endless rabbits out of a thrifted hat.
Branding Your Depop Shop Like A Cult
People don’t just buy clothes on Depop. They buy the story you wrap around them. If your shop looks like a chaotic clearance rack, you’ll attract bargain hunters who want to pay pennies. If your shop looks like a curated brand, suddenly you can charge $60 for a Y2K mesh top that would’ve gone for $15 elsewhere.
Branding hacks:
- Pick an aesthetic and stick to it. Grunge? Cottagecore? 2000s rave wear? Don’t mix and match or you’ll confuse buyers.
- Use consistent backgrounds and photo styles. Your shop should look like a themed gallery.
- Create a memorable bio. “Curated chaos from grandma’s attic” beats “selling clothes lol.”
Depop buyers are Gen Z and millennials who live for vibes. Sell them the vibe first, and the money follows.
Advanced Photography And Listing Hacks
At beginner level, good lighting and clear photos are enough. At pro level, you’re basically running a mini lookbook.
Upgrade strategies:
- Style full outfits instead of just selling individual pieces. Show how that vintage windbreaker pairs with baggy jeans and a bucket hat.
- Add movement. A twirl, a pose, even a mirror selfie feels alive compared to a static flat lay.
- Batch your photography. Take 20–30 listings worth of photos in one go so your shop looks cohesive.
Descriptions can also scale up. Don’t just write “Vintage Levi’s 501 jeans.” Write: “Vintage 90s Levi’s 501 jeans in classic stonewash. Straight leg fit, mid-rise, soft broken-in cotton. Perfect for channeling that effortless 90s skater energy.” Keywords, style cues, and personality all in one.
Playing The Depop Algorithm
Depop’s feed is the slot machine, and you’re the one trying to line up cherries. While Depop doesn’t publish exact algorithm details, seller communities on Reddit and forums have cracked some of the patterns.
Tactics that push you higher:
- Relist items daily or at least every few days. Fresh listings stay on top.
- Price-drop strategies: lower an item slightly, and it gets more visibility.
- Quick response time: the faster you answer DMs, the more the algorithm loves you.
- Post consistently. Sellers who list regularly (3–5 items per day) stay in the algorithm’s good graces.
Treat the algorithm like a needy plant. Feed it daily attention, and it grows your reach. Neglect it, and your shop withers in obscurity.
Marketing Beyond The App
If you’re serious about scaling, Depop alone isn’t enough. You’ve got to bring in eyeballs from outside.
Cross-promotion hacks:
- Use TikTok to show styling videos with your Depop link in the bio.
- Post outfit photos on Instagram with “available on my Depop” captions.
- Build an email list of repeat customers for first dibs on new drops.
Some top sellers even use YouTube hauls or thrift vlogs to funnel buyers into their Depop shop. It’s not just reselling, it’s content marketing with clothes as the product.
Cross-Listing Like A Hustler
Depop is great, but why keep all your eggs in one thrift basket? Cross-listing your items to other platforms increases visibility and sales velocity.
Platforms to expand to:
- Poshmark: Big in the US, similar social-vibe marketplace.
- Vinted: Popular in Europe, with no selling fees for some regions.
- eBay: Larger audience, especially for sneakers and collectibles.
- Grailed: Ideal for men’s streetwear and high-end fashion.
Tools like Vendoo and List Perfectly help sellers cross-list automatically. Think of it as cloning your inventory into multiple storefronts without extra work.
Tracking The Numbers Like A CFO In Sneakers
Selling random items is fun. Building a business means tracking profitability. If you’re not watching your margins, you’re basically running a thrift-themed charity.
Metrics to track:
- Average profit per item after fees and shipping.
- Sell-through rate (how fast items move once listed).
- Average order value (AOV).
- Hours worked versus income (your effective hourly rate).
Many Depop sellers on Reddit break down their monthly income by item category to see what actually makes money. If band tees fly off the digital shelf and denim sits forever, shift your sourcing strategy accordingly.
Cheat Sheet: Scaling Depop To Pro Level
| Tactic | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Branding with a niche aesthetic | Lets you charge premium prices |
| Advanced photos and styled shoots | Increases conversion rates |
| Playing the algorithm | Keeps listings visible in the feed |
| Cross-platform marketing | Brings in customers from TikTok and Instagram |
| Cross-listing items | Multiplies exposure with little extra effort |
| Tracking profitability | Ensures you’re scaling with real margins |
The Weird Truth About Depop Success
Here’s the thing: selling on Depop is not just about thrifting and flipping. It’s performance art mixed with micro-entrepreneurship. You’re not just moving clothes, you’re selling an identity, a vibe, a little corner of internet culture.
The top sellers look less like random resellers and more like brand founders. They curate, market, and manage like CEOs of thrift empires. The money flows not because they stumbled on rare finds, but because they built systems, audiences, and aesthetics that turn recycled fabric into gold.
Turning Depop Into An Empire Instead Of A Side Hustle
At this point, you know how to set up shop, brand yourself, and work the algorithm. But the truly weird magic happens when you start thinking of Depop less like a resale app and more like an empire-building sandbox. This is where hustlers stop selling old jeans for lunch money and start building businesses with long-term cash flow and even resale value of their own.
Bulk Deals: Feeding The Beast
You can’t scale if you’re thrifting one hoodie at a time. Bulk buying turns your Depop hustle from sporadic to consistent.
Ways to source in bulk:
- Wholesale vintage suppliers: Pay a higher upfront cost but get boxes of stock to list.
- Estate sales and auctions: One Saturday haul could keep your shop stocked for months.
- Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace “lot” deals: People clearing closets will sell 50 items for the price of two.
- Other resellers’ deadstock: Some sellers offload inventory that hasn’t moved. Their trash might be your treasure.
The downside is risk. You’ll end up with some duds, but the volume makes up for it. Think Costco, but for thrift.
Negotiating Like A Market Stall Boss
Depop has a quirky culture of offers and haggling. Leaning into that can help close deals faster.
Negotiation hacks:
- Always price items slightly higher than your target so you have room to accept offers.
- Offer bundle discounts. Buyers love the illusion of saving money while you move more stock.
- Use limited-time phrases like “Only one left” or “Flash sale” to create urgency.
You’re not just a seller, you’re running a digital bazaar where charm and persuasion are part of the profit formula.
Building Depop Into A Personal Brand
The best Depop shops don’t just sell clothes. They create cult followings. Look at sellers like Internet Girl, who turned bundles of Y2K chaos into a million-dollar revenue story (Business of Fashion). Buyers weren’t just purchasing clothing; they were buying into a vibe.
How to brand yourself beyond Depop:
- Launch an Instagram that mirrors your Depop aesthetic.
- Start a TikTok showcasing styling tips or thrift hauls.
- Create a newsletter where loyal buyers get first dibs on drops.
- Expand into merch or zines if your vibe is strong enough.
Suddenly, you’re not just a Depop seller. You’re a micro-influencer, and your shop is just one of many income streams under your brand umbrella.
Financial Planning For Depop Income
Making money on Depop feels chaotic until you treat it like a business. If you’re not keeping track of the numbers, you might just be spinning your wheels in thrifted sneakers.
Money moves to make:
- Open a separate bank account for Depop sales.
- Track expenses: sourcing, shipping supplies, platform fees.
- Set aside 20–30% for taxes if you’re crossing reporting thresholds (in the UK, that’s £1,000 annually before self-employment tax obligations apply (BBC)).
- Reinvest a portion of profits into bulk sourcing or better photography gear.
Think of Depop income like an investment portfolio: reinvest early, skim profits later.
Positioning Your Shop As A Sellable Asset
Here’s the weirdest flex: you can actually sell your Depop shop itself. Just like people flip websites or Amazon stores, a branded, profitable Depop shop can be transferred to someone else.
To make it sellable:
- Keep clean records of monthly sales and profit margins.
- Build social media followings tied to the shop name.
- Standardize branding so the next owner can slide right in.
- Automate processes like photo templates, pricing rules, and shipping routines.
Marketplaces like Flippa specialize in digital business sales, and while Depop shops aren’t listed as often as blogs or Amazon stores, the same principle applies. If you can prove income, you can sell the whole operation.
Pitfalls Of Going Big On Depop
Scaling comes with risks. The faster you grow, the more potential cracks show.
Common pitfalls:
- Overbuying stock that sits unsold.
- Spreading yourself too thin across multiple platforms.
- Ignoring trends and holding inventory that feels stale.
- Failing to maintain the branding consistency that made you popular in the first place.
The antidote is minimalism: cut what doesn’t work, double down on what sells, and keep the machine lean.
Cheat Sheet: Advanced Depop Scaling
| Move | Benefit | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk sourcing | Consistent stock | Potential inventory bloat |
| Negotiation tactics | Faster sales and bundles | Lower margins if over-discounted |
| Personal branding | Loyal following, higher prices | Time investment outside Depop |
| Financial planning | Predictable income growth | Requires discipline |
| Shop positioning | Potential for resale value | Harder to automate without system |
The Strange Beauty Of Depop Hustling
Depop looks like an app for teenagers flipping their old skinny jeans, but it’s secretly a training ground for entrepreneurship. Sellers learn branding, marketing, finance, negotiation, and customer service all in one thrift-flavored package.
The weird truth? The most successful sellers don’t just make money. They build systems that can outlast them, brand identities that can live outside the app, and businesses that someone else might want to buy. Depop isn’t just a resale platform. It’s a launchpad for hustlers who want to turn curated chaos into serious wealth.
