Depop Sellers Accused of Scamming Shoppers by Calling Fast Fashion Pieces Vintage

Shoppers hoping to score vintage finds on the online sales platform Depop may be in for a rude awakening after several people have reported being duped.

It sounds like the secondhand shop, which allows people to create accounts so that they can sell everything from coats to jewelry, has had an influx of sellers looking to pass off bogus goods. TikTok and X (formerly known as Twitter) are loaded with examples of this growing trend, in which Depop sellers are using fast fashion products to scam folks.

As if that wasn't bad enough, some people are spending big bucks on items they could buy new for just a few dollars. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like much, if anything, that can be done about it. Continue reading to learn more about what shoppers say they've discovered about their Depop purchases, including how to protect yourself while shopping on their site.

TikTok is flooded with horror stories from shoppers who said that they went onto Depop's website in search of vintage pieces, only to discover that they were being sold items from fast fashion companies like Shein. One example comes from TikToker @uhhlea.com, who found a shirt listed on Depop for $24 that was originally being sold on Shein for just $4.99.

Another person shared a series of reviews from a seller who appears to be a repeat offender when it comes to this tactic, after she found a $5.49 Shein shirt listed for sale on Depop for $22. The creator, Jade Taylor, who goes by the handle @luckyfrogshop, said in a TikTok video that this is becoming more common on the resale platform.

Fortunately, there are a few extra steps you can take while shopping to protect you from getting taken for a ride. For example, users in the comments section of a video by @uhhlea.com said that people should always do a reverse Google Image search of the items they're looking to buy. If the Depop seller is using a product image from somewhere like Temu or Shein, that will show up in the results.

Another suggestion is to avoid sellers who only sell items without tags. These sellers are more likely to order stuff online and then remove the tags before listing it on the resale site. A few TikTok commenters also chimed in to share their own experiences. One woman said that she thinks it's a red flag when people post that they have multiple sizes of a particular item available since it means that they most likely ordered the piece in bulk.

Unfortunately for wronged shoppers, it doesn't seem like Depop is much help after the fact — one victim says that she had her account permanently deleted when she tried to file an official complaint against a seller — which makes it especially important for people to do their due diligence before they buy.

Otherwise, you not only run the risk of getting scammed out of your hard-earned money, but you can also end up with a product that just won't last.