Selling secondhand clothes and shoes online is now a really great way to make some extra money, grow a side hustle or even launch a legitimate reselling business. Originally, it was eBay that was the best place to resell clothes which is where my sister grew her reselling business, but nowadays the two most popular platforms for reselling are Poshmark and Depop.
If you’re contemplating whether to use Poshmark or Depop, this Depop Vs Poshmark article is for you, where we’ll go over the advantages and disadvantages of both platforms. I know that while both platforms’ structure is similar, you may wonder which is superior when comparing Depop vs Poshmark. Each site has a distinct commission structure and promotional methods which might change your opinion when deciding which to focus on.
Interestingly, there are also differences between buying on each site. Messaging sellers and shipping protocols vary depending on whether you use Depop or Poshmark. Having sold items and purchased items on both, I can provide an insider’s perspective on the workings of each platform.
Depop Vs Poshmark
Let’s get right into it by talking profits, because at the end of the day, the bottom line is what keeps businesses (even second-jobs) running.
Depop Vs Poshmark Fees
Depop charges a 10% commission on the total sale price of each item, which includes the shipping cost. For example, if you sell a shirt for $20 and charge $5 for shipping, the total sale price is $25, and Depop will take a commission of $2.50.
However, Depop does not charge any additional fees for listing items or transferring money to your account. This means that you get to keep more of the money from your sales, but you will need to factor in the commission when setting your prices.
On the other hand, Poshmark has a slightly higher commission rate of 20% on items over $15. And for items that sell for less than $15, Poshmark charges a flat fee of $2.95.
Additionally, Poshmark charges a shipping fee to buyers, which is a flat rate of $7.11 for packages up to 5 pounds.
This means that if you sell a dress for $25 and the buyer pays for shipping, Poshmark will take a commission of $5, plus the $2.95 fee for items under $15, and the buyer will pay an additional $7.11 for shipping. Poshmark also offers the option for sellers to purchase a shipping label directly through the app, which includes tracking and insurance, but this fee is also deducted from your earnings.
Overall, while Depop has a lower commission rate than Poshmark, it is important to consider the shipping costs that may be factored into the total sale price. It is also important to note that both platforms have additional features, such as promoted listings, that can increase exposure for your items but come at an additional cost.
Related: Best Things To Sell On Depop
Main Differences Between Depop And Poshmark
While both platforms have a similar concept, there are some notable differences between them.
Really it comes down to your personal preferences as a buyer and a seller. Personally, I much prefer to feel and layout of Depop and that’s why I started buying and then eventually selling on there. I also just much prefer finding unique pieces which is much more common Depop versus Poshmark where it’s more about well-known designer brands.
In my opinion, the biggest difference is the audience you’re selling to. Both who and where they are based.
Poshmark is more popular among women in the United States, while Depop has a younger and more international user base. Depop users are typically between the ages of 16 and 25 and are more likely to be interested in vintage and streetwear fashion.
The two platforms also have different listing and selling processes. Poshmark has a more structured listing process, requiring sellers to choose from a set of pre-defined categories and attributes. Depop, on the other hand, allows sellers to create more customized listings with their own descriptions and tags. Poshmark also has a feature called “Posh Parties,” where sellers can list items that fit a certain theme or category during a designated time period.
In terms of communication between buyers and sellers, Poshmark has a built-in messaging system, while Depop allows sellers to communicate with buyers through the app’s comments section. Poshmark also has a return policy that allows buyers to return items for a refund within three days of receiving them, while Depop’s return policy is more flexible and left up to individual sellers to decide.
What Are The Advantages Of Selling On Poshmark?
There are several advantages to selling on Poshmark. Firstly, Poshmark has a large and active community of buyers and sellers, which means there is a high demand for items listed on the platform. This can lead to faster sales and higher prices for your items. Additionally, Poshmark offers various tools and features that can help sellers promote their listings and increase their visibility. For example, Posh Parties are themed virtual events where sellers can share their listings with a targeted audience, and the app also allows users to share their listings with their followers and to other social media platforms.
Another advantage of selling on Poshmark is the ease and convenience of the selling process. Poshmark provides a pre-paid shipping label for all orders, which means sellers do not have to worry about calculating shipping costs or printing labels. The app also handles payment processing and offers seller protection, which can help to ensure that transactions go smoothly and securely.
Finally, Poshmark has a user-friendly interface and provides helpful resources and support for sellers. The app provides a variety of resources and guides to help sellers optimize their listings, and the company has a customer service team available to answer questions and address any issues that may arise.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Selling On Poshmark?
One of the main disadvantages is that Poshmark charges a relatively high commission fee. Poshmark’s commission fee is 20% of the selling price for items over $15 and a flat fee of $2.95 for items that sell for less than $15. This means that if you sell an item for $100, you will be charged a $20 commission fee. This can add up quickly and eat into your profits.
Another disadvantage is that Poshmark has a strict return policy. Buyers have up to three days to request a return, and the item must be returned in the same condition it was received. If the buyer is not happy with the item, you will be responsible for paying for the return shipping costs, which can be expensive.
Poshmark also has a competitive market, which can make it difficult to stand out among other sellers. With so many users and listings, it can be challenging to attract buyers to your closet and make sales.
Finally, Poshmark’s shipping process can be time-consuming. As a seller, you are responsible for packaging and shipping the item, which can be a hassle if you have a lot of sales. Additionally, Poshmark requires sellers to use their shipping labels, which can be costly and time-consuming to print out.
Overall, while Poshmark has many advantages for sellers, it’s important to consider the potential disadvantages before getting started. The high commission fee, strict return policy, competitive market, and time-consuming shipping process can make it challenging to make a profit and grow your business on the platform.
What Are The Advantages Of Selling On Depop?
If you’re considering selling to a younger audience, then Depop might be for you. Depop’s user base is predominantly made up of younger generations, especially Gen Z. This demographic is known for its love of vintage and unique clothing, which makes Depop a great platform for selling those types of items.
Another advantage of Depop’s app is that it’s very user-friendly and straightforward, laid out like a social media platform similar to Instagram, making it easy to list items for sale, communicate with buyers, and process orders. The process of listing an item is simple and straightforward, with minimal fields to fill out.
On the topic of social media, Depop allows sellers to connect their Instagram accounts to their profiles, giving them the opportunity to showcase their items to a wider audience.
A major plus of Depop vs Poshmark is that Depop’s fees are lower than many other online marketplaces, including Poshmark. Depop only charges a 10% commission fee on sales, compared to Poshmark’s 20%.
While Poshmark is predominantly for US audiences, Depop has a strong presence in UK, Europe, Australia and other parts of the world, which can open up a larger customer base for sellers who are willing to ship internationally. Also, it’s easier for people based in UK or Australia to grow a reselling business in their countries on Depop versus Poshmark, as they have a local audience to ship to.
Overall, Depop can be a great platform for sellers who have a strong sense of style and specialize in vintage or unique fashion. Its lower fees, social media integration, and international audience make it a compelling option for many sellers.
Related: Top Tips For Selling On Depop
What Are Some Disadvantages Of Selling On Depop?
While there are many advantages to selling on Depop, there are also some potential disadvantages to consider. One major disadvantage is that there is a smaller customer base compared to other platforms like eBay or Amazon. This means that it may take longer to sell items, and you may not receive as many offers or inquiries as you would on a larger platform.
Another potential disadvantage is the lack of protection for sellers in case of disputes or fraudulent buyers. Unlike Poshmark, which has a strict dispute resolution process and provides seller protection, Depop doesn’t have a dedicated dispute team to mediate any issues that may arise. This can leave sellers vulnerable to scams or dishonest buyers who may try to scam them out of their items or money.
Finally, Depop’s shipping process can be a bit more complicated compared to other platforms. Unlike Poshmark, where sellers are provided with a pre-paid shipping label, Depop requires sellers to manually calculate shipping costs and purchase their own shipping labels. This can be time-consuming and may require additional effort and resources from the seller.
Is It Still Worth Selling On Poshmark?
Yes! Poshmark has a large and active user base, which means there is a good chance your items will be seen and purchased by someone interested in them. Over 61 million people visited the Poshmark website in March 2023, which is a lot higher than the 8.9 million website visits on Depop in March 2023.
Don’t be put off by the higher commission fees and strict policies they have. Poshmark is still a great reselling platform to grow a business on, especially if you have access to quality pieces and designer items.
Final Words On Depop Vs Poshmark
Ultimately, the choice between Depop and Poshmark comes down to personal preference and which platform aligns better with your goals as a seller.
You could always try both to start with and then niche down, or you could even try and create your own reselling business via an online store like Shopify.
There are so many ways to make an extra $1000 a month these days and the world really is your oyster, provided you’re willing to put the work in!
Related Reading: How To Grow Your Followers On Depop
