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Buying and Selling as a Student: Depop or Vinted? Anna Boyne explores the merits and drawbacks of the two largest online second hand clothes venders: Depop and Vinted. She explains why dabbling in both will leave your wardrobe looking good and your bank account looking even better. Whether you’re on a budget or looking to make more eco-conscious decisions, thanks to online platforms like Depop and Vinted, shopping second hand has never been easier. The two titans of the online secondhand clothes market come with their appeals and pitfalls alike. So, how do you decide which to use? First off, Depop’s Instagram-style explore page and shop profiles are particularly appealing to Gen-Z buyers and sellers. Out of all online second-hand apps, Depop is probably the closest experience to that of a fast fashion website, with its reputation for vintage and on-trend items. However, Depop can often fall short of expectations. Drop-shipping Depop sellers often bulk buy cheap clothes and resell them at inflated prices by branding them as the desirable ‘#vintage’ or ‘#y2k’. Not only does this unwantedly flood the explore page of buyers looking for genuine items, but it also trips up those looking to purchase more consciously, as they are still unwittingly contributing to the fast fashion industry. Vinted, on the other hand, tends to attract those of a slightly older demographic looking to buy or sell more ordinary second-hand items, usually resulting in cheaper prices. Vinted is attracting buyers who’ve become disillusioned with the gentrification of Depop. Many find price inflation has made Depop economically inaccessible, so have turned to Vinted instead. Nonetheless, Vinted often takes a bit more work to find good quality and stylish steals. If Depop is the online equivalent of a specialised vintage or curated second-hand shop, Vinted could be comparable to a charity shop.
When considering which app to buy or sell from, the platforms’ policies are a big influencing factor. 10% of a seller’s earnings are automatically taken by Depop, and on top of postage and packaging and haggled prices, profit margins can be significantly reduced. Conversely, Vinted makes its revenue through a ‘buyer protection fee’- a form of insurance paid by the buyer, so the seller gets exactly the money they sold their item for. While the buyer ends up paying slightly more than an item is listed for, this policy also gives them the flexibility to choose which type of postage they’d like. Vinted’s ‘holiday mode’ enables buyers and sellers to avoid awkward or angry interactions. Sellers can pause trading if they are temporarily unable to send their items, which could be particularly useful to students whose clothes might be split between home and university. A lack of a feature like this on Depop can lead to misunderstandings and delayed postage times. Just have a look at the infamous @depopdrama on Instagram for endless examples of the weird and sometimes plain rude encounters buyers and sellers face. That’s not to say that Vinted users don’t also face awkward interactions, but they do seem few and far between. Even though Vinted has 45 million global users, significantly more than Depop’s 30 million, the latter is still Gen Z’s preferred second-hand platform. Many find, therefore, that items on Depop are tailored to the younger generation, making it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for. But why not use both apps and tailor your experience accordingly? If you’re looking to buy or sell with ease, maximise profits, minimise costs, find unique vintage items or even just more everyday pieces, get to know your app demographic and become a savvy online shopper.
By Anna Boyne Illustrations by Gemma Cockrell Page Design by Ciara Lurshay
