✓ Legit

Is Depop Legit?

Name: Is Depop Legit? | Legitness
Item: Depop
Rating: 76
Author: Legitness

76/100

Trust Score

Depop itself is the real deal — it's Etsy for clothes and it works. The scams aren't from Depop, they're from dodgy sellers. Here's how to not get caught out.

tl;dr

Safe to use. Pay through the app always. Never go off-platform. If a deal looks too good, it probably is.

What we checked

✓
UK registered, owned by Etsy since 2021
Fully legit company with UK consumer law behind it.
✓
Buyer protection on every in-app purchase
If your item doesn't arrive or isn't as described, you can dispute it. This only works if you pay through Depop.
✓
Trustpilot 3.9/5 — decent for a marketplace
Most complaints are about specific sellers, not Depop itself.
!
Seller scams are common
Fake items, "lost" parcels, off-platform payment requests. The platform is legit — some sellers aren't.
!
No phone support — disputes are email only
Can take days. Keep all your receipts and screenshots.

The actual situation

Depop the company is completely fine. It's been around since 2011, it's owned by Etsy, and it's based in London. Your money is protected if you buy through the app — that part works.

The problem is the sellers. Some are great. Some will send you a Gucci bag that's about as Gucci as a carrier bag. Some will take your PayPal payment, go quiet, and you'll never see the trainers.

The rules are simple: pay in the app every time, never move to WhatsApp or PayPal Friends & Family, check the seller's reviews before you buy anything over £20. Do those three things and Depop is genuinely one of the best places to find secondhand gear.

Pro tip Screenshot the listing before you buy. If there's a dispute, Depop will ask for proof of what was advertised. Sellers sometimes delete listings after a sale.

Red flag Any seller who asks you to pay via PayPal Friends & Family, bank transfer, or "outside the app" is trying to scam you. Depop's buyer protection only covers payments made through Depop.