Depop or eBay? A Complete Guide for UK Second-Hand Sellers

Selling second-hand and vintage clothing online has never been more accessible  or more competitive. For UK-based resellers, the debate of "Depop or eBay" is a daily reality. Should you sell on Depop or eBay for clothes? Is Depop or eBay better for your unique stock? And how can you scale your business without losing hours to manual listing and inventory headaches?

At Zipsale, we help UK sellers streamline cross-platform selling, so you can focus on sourcing and selling - not admin. This guide breaks down the differences between Depop and eBay, shares actionable strategies for crosslisting, and shows how our software can help you sell smarter, not harder.

Depop vs eBay: Key Differences for UK Sellers

Audience & What Sells Best

• Depop: Home to Gen Z and younger Millennials, Depop thrives on Y2K, 90s, streetwear, and trend-driven fashion. If your stock is bold, niche, or curated, Depop’s visual, social-first platform is a natural fit.
• eBay: With a broader, older buyer base, eBay is ideal for true vintage (60s–80s), designer pieces, menswear, and collectibles. Its search depth and auction options make it a powerhouse for rare or higher-ticket items.

Quick tip: Many UK sellers use Depop for “Y2K/girl/trendy” and eBay for “true vintage/designer/menswear.” Crosslisting maximizes your reach.

Fees & Seller Experience

• Depop: Free to list, with a flat ~10% final fee on sales. Simple, mobile-first workflow. Success depends on branding and shop cohesion.
• eBay: Free listings up to a monthly allowance, then tiered fees (final value, optional store subscription). More tools, buyer protections, and shipping options, but a steeper learning curve.

Fact: Depop’s fees are slightly lower on average, but eBay’s scale and buyer trust can justify higher costs for the right items.

Platform Policies & Protections

• Both platforms offer strong buyer protection. eBay’s dispute process is more extensive, which boosts buyer trust but requires careful compliance.
• Depop emphasizes authenticity and safe transactions, with responsive support.
• For business sellers in the UK, ensure you’re registered, issue VAT invoices if needed, and comply with UK consumer law on returns and descriptions. Both platforms have business seller settings for compliance.

For more on UK e-commerce regulations, see the UK Government’s guide.

Depop or eBay for Selling Clothes? How to Decide

When to Choose Depop

• Your stock is trendy, Y2K, 90s, or streetwear.
• You can invest in styled photography and a cohesive shop aesthetic.
• You want simple fees and a social, mobile-first selling experience.

When to Choose eBay

• You sell older true vintage (60s–80s), designer, menswear, or collectibles.
• You need advanced shipping, auction options, or want to reach a wider audience.
• You’re managing complex inventory or want to leverage eBay’s robust support.

Expert tip: Many successful UK sellers start with a split list — 60–70% of Y2K/90s stock to Depop, 70–80% of vintage/designer to eBay. Crosslist unsold items after 7–10 days to maximize exposure.

eBay, Vinted, and Depop: What Sells Best Where?

• Depop & Vinted: Best for youth-led, trendy, and lower-to-mid-priced second-hand fashion. Think Y2K, 90s, and streetwear.
• eBay: Best for true vintage, designer, menswear, and hard-to-find pieces. Higher-value items often perform better here.

For more on what sells best on Vinted, check out Vinted’s community insights.

Crosslisting & Inventory Management: Best Practices

Managing listings across Depop, eBay, and other platforms can be a logistical nightmare — unless you have the right system. Here’s how to do it efficiently:

1. Match Inventory to Platform Strengths

• List Y2K/90s on Depop (and Vinted) first. Highlight styling and measurements.
• List 60s–80s/designer on eBay first. Use detailed titles, era, fabric, and measurements.

2. Platform-Specific Pricing

• Price slightly higher on Depop, where buyers expect curated styling.
• Use eBay’s Best Offer to capture demand and adjust pricing dynamically.

3. Consistent SKU System

• Use a master inventory sheet with SKU, platform URLs, price, quantity, and photos.
• Include SKUs in titles or custom labels to avoid mix-ups.

4. Photography & Listings

• Depop: Invest in styled flat-lays or on-body shots. Cohesive backgrounds and branding matter.
• eBay: Use clear, multi-angle shots, close-ups of labels, measurements, and any defects.

5. Shipping & Returns

• Standardize parcels to Royal Mail or EVRi size bands.
• Clearly state return windows and item condition. Align with UK consumer law if trading as a business.

For more on shipping best practices, see Royal Mail’s size and weight guide.

6. Prevent Overselling

• When an item sells, immediately delist from other platforms — or use a crosslisting tool like Zipsale with automated delisting.

How Zipsale Helps UK Sellers Sell Smarter

We designed Zipsale to be your extra pair of hands for crosslisting and inventory management. Here’s how we make selling on Depop, eBay, and more efficient:

• Import and list items across up to eight marketplaces at once.
• Automated delisting prevents overselling and keeps your inventory accurate.
• Centralized inventory management means you update once, everywhere.
• Save time: Our members report saving up to 40 hours for every 1,000 listings.
• Sell faster: Expand your reach and increase sales by being everywhere your buyers shop.

Ready to streamline your selling? Try Zipsale today.

Actionable Tips for UK Sellers

• Start with a split list: Prioritize Y2K/90s on Depop, vintage/designer on eBay.
• Use auctions on eBay for buzz-worthy pieces; fixed price with Best Offer for everything else.
• Measure once, sell many: Include all key measurements to reduce returns and boost buyer trust.
• Batch releases on Depop: Drop new stock in themed collections to harness social discovery.
• Track profitability: Log item cost, fees, shipping, and returns to see which platform delivers the best ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Depop or eBay better for selling clothes?

It depends on your inventory. Depop is best for trendy, youth-driven fashion (Y2K, 90s, streetwear), while eBay excels with true vintage, designer, menswear, and collectibles. Many UK sellers use both to maximize sales.

Should I sell on Depop or eBay?

If you have the capacity, crosslist to both. Tailor your listings — photography, titles, and pricing — to each platform’s audience and fee structure. Use a crosslisting tool like Zipsale to save time and prevent overselling.

What sells best on Vinted?

Vinted is strong for lower-to-mid-priced, trendy second-hand fashion, similar to Depop. True vintage and designer items often perform better on eBay.

How do I prevent overselling when crosslisting?

Use a crosslisting tool with automated delisting, like Zipsale. Alternatively, maintain a master inventory and manually delist items as soon as they sell.

Are there any regulations I need to follow as a UK seller?

Yes. If you’re trading as a business, register appropriately, issue VAT invoices if applicable, and comply with UK consumer law on returns and descriptions. Both Depop and eBay have business seller settings — check their UK policy pages for details.

For more on UK business compliance, see the UK Government’s business guidance.

Ready to save time and sell more? Get started with Zipsale and take your second-hand business to the next level.