Getting Started

How to Launch Your Depop Reselling Business

Starting a Depop reselling business means buying secondhand clothing and accessories, then listing them for profit on the Depop app. The barrier to entry is low—you need a smartphone, basic photography skills, and inventory sourced from thrift stores, estate sales, or your own closet. Most sellers start with $200–$500 in initial inventory and see their first sales within days.

Success on Depop depends on three things: finding underpriced items, presenting them well with clear photos and accurate descriptions, and building a responsive seller reputation. This page walks you through the exact steps to get live and profitable in your first 30 days.

Your Step-by-Step Launch Plan

1. Set up your Depop account and profile: Download the Depop app, create an account using email or social login, and fill out your seller profile completely. Add a profile photo, a clear bio describing what you sell (e.g., “Vintage 90s clothing and designer finds”), and a link to your other social media if you have one. A complete profile increases buyer trust and conversion rates by 15–20%.
2. Source your first inventory batch: Visit 3–5 thrift stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army, local consignment shops) and look for recognizable brands, vintage pieces, and items in good condition. Budget $200–$300 for your first haul. Focus on categories with proven demand: vintage band tees ($20–$60 resale), designer denim ($15–$40 resale), and structured handbags ($25–$75 resale). Keep receipts for tax purposes.
3. Create a basic photography setup: You don’t need fancy equipment. Use natural daylight, a plain wall or bedsheet as your backdrop, and your smartphone camera. Take 4–6 photos per item: one flat lay, one on a hanger or mannequin, close-ups of fabric and condition, and any flaws. Clear, well-lit photos increase engagement by 30–40% compared to dark or blurry shots.
4. Write listings with keywords and pricing: List 10–15 items in your first week. Include the brand, size, color, material, and condition in your title and description. Use hashtags relevant to the item: #vintageNirvana, #DesignerDenim, #90sStyle. Price competitively by checking 3–5 similar sold listings on Depop. Most resellers start with 40–60% margins on thrift store finds.
5. Set up Depop Payments or PayPal: Link your bank account to Depop Payments or connect a PayPal account for payouts. Depop charges a 10% fee on all sales plus payment processing fees (typically 2.9% + $0.30 for Stripe). Make sure you understand these costs before setting prices—they come from your revenue, not the buyer’s amount.
6. Pack and ship efficiently: Use USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground for domestic orders. A typical tee weighs 0.25 lb and costs $5–$7 to ship. A jacket weighs 1–1.5 lb and costs $8–$12. Offer free shipping (built into your price) or charge $3–$5 for lightweight items. Always package neatly with branded tissue paper or stickers—this directly impacts repeat purchases and five-star reviews.
7. Respond to messages within 4 hours: Buyers message with questions about sizing, condition, and fit before purchasing. Fast, helpful responses close 20–30% more sales. Keep answers brief and honest. If something doesn’t fit, say so. If there’s a flaw, describe it clearly.
8. Monitor your first week metrics: Track how many views each listing gets, which items sell first, and which sit. Note the price, category, and photo quality of your best performers. After 7–10 days, pause underperforming items, reprice them, or relist with better photos.

Your First Week

• Days 1–2: Complete your Depop profile, review the seller handbook, and take 10–15 minutes to understand Depop’s fees and payment schedule.
• Days 3–4: Visit thrift stores and source your first 15–20 items. Inspect each item for damage, stains, and odors. Set them aside for photography.
• Day 5: Photograph all items using your smartphone and natural light. Edit for brightness and clarity using the built-in app or free tools like Snapseed.
• Days 6–7: Write and list 10–15 items with descriptions, hashtags, and competitive pricing. Double-check spelling and photo order before publishing.
• Ongoing: Check the app daily for messages and sales notifications. Respond to inquiries within a few hours. Ship sold items within 2 business days.

Your First Month

Your goal in month one is to generate 8–15 sales and collect 5–10 five-star reviews. This requires 30–40 active listings at any time. Expect to earn $150–$400 in profit (after Depop fees and shipping costs) if you source wisely and price at 45–55% margin. Don’t chase trends yet—focus on core categories that sell consistently: vintage tees, denim, jackets, and handbags.

Spend 30–45 minutes daily on the app responding to messages, checking for new sales, and preparing items for shipment. Use the first month to refine your sourcing eye. Note which brands, colors, and decades sell fastest in your market. This intel will save you money and speed up inventory turnover in months two and three.

Your First 3 Months

By month three, you should have 50–80 active listings, a seller rating of 4.8 stars or higher, and average monthly sales of 20–35 items. This translates to roughly $400–$800 in monthly profit (before your time, which varies). You’ll have enough data to identify your niche: maybe 90s vintage, luxury secondhand, or niche subcultures like grunge or Y2K.

Use this momentum to scale sourcing. Build relationships with thrift store employees, explore estate sales and Facebook Marketplace, and consider buying in bulk from other resellers. Reinvest 50% of profits back into inventory so you can keep listings stocked and maintain sales velocity. Most profitable Depop sellers at this stage report 5–10 hours of work per week for sustainable, part-time income.

Legal Basics

As a Depop reseller, you’re running a business and must report all income to the IRS, regardless of how small. You can start as a sole proprietor—this requires no formal registration and minimal paperwork. You’ll report business income on Schedule C of your personal tax return. If you want liability protection and a more formal structure, you can form an LLC for $50–$300, depending on your state. See our legal guide for specific state requirements and tax obligations.

Most resellers don’t need a business license to buy and sell secondhand clothing on Depop, but check your local county or city requirements—some jurisdictions require a general business license for any income-generating activity. Depop issues a 1099-K if you exceed $20,000 in sales and 200 transactions in a calendar year, so keep records from day one. Sales tax rules vary by state; most states do not require you to collect sales tax on secondhand items resold via online marketplaces, but verify this for your location.

Consider basic liability insurance if you’re concerned about product liability claims. Most homeowners or renters insurance policies exclude business inventory, so a simple business property and liability policy costs $300–$600 per year and covers your inventory against theft or fire.

Common Launch Mistakes

• Sourcing poor-quality items: Buying wrinkled, stained, or worn-out clothing “because it was cheap” leads to returns, low ratings, and wasted time. Only list items you would wear or gift. Your reputation is your most valuable asset.
• Taking blurry or dark photos: Poor photos kill sales. Spend 10 minutes on lighting and composition per item. This is free and directly increases your conversion rate.
• Ignoring shipping costs: Forgetting to factor in $5–$8 shipping per item leads to razor-thin or negative margins. Always calculate profit as: selling price minus (Depop fee + payment fee + shipping cost).
• Pricing too high too early: New sellers with zero reviews cannot charge premium prices. Start 10–15% below similar listings to build momentum and five-star reviews. Raise prices once you have social proof.
• Slow response times: Messages sit unanswered for 12+ hours. Buyers move on. Check the app at least twice daily, especially in your first month.
• Neglecting inventory rotation: Listing 10 items once and never adding new stock kills momentum. Aim to add 3–5 new items per week to keep your shop fresh and visible in search.
• Not tracking expenses: Losing receipts or forgetting thrift store costs means you’ll overpay taxes and underestimate profitability. Use a simple spreadsheet or app like Wave to log all purchases and sales.
• Expecting overnight wealth: Most sellers earn $300–$600 in their first month and $800–$1,500 by month three. This is legitimate side income, not a lottery ticket. Consistency and quality matter far more than luck.

Starting a Depop reselling business is straightforward and low-risk if you focus on sourcing, photography, and customer service. Use your first 30 days to test the model, build your seller rating, and refine your niche. Once you understand what sells in your market, you can scale sourcing and increase your hours strategically. For help building a broader business plan or understanding how this fits into your overall financial goals, see our guides on launching an online business and creating a business plan.