Depop sellers are currently grappling with widespread payment delays caused by a technical glitch, a situation the company addressed by promising responses to all affected users by today and proactive notifications for high-volume sellers.
Hidden Fees Spark User Backlash
Beyond the payment issues, Depop has been quietly implementing an unannounced “buyer service fee.” When questioned about the surcharge, a company spokesperson characterized it as a potential test; however, the rollout appears inconsistent, with some buyers facing additional costs while others remain unaffected. While a Zendesk support page previously detailed the fee, the company has since made the page private.
The now-hidden documentation claimed the 5% extra charge was intended to “upgrade features, improve security, and optimize performance.” This explanation has frustrated the community, with YouTube creator Just Old Things questioning the necessity of the fee in a recent video, noting that sellers already pay a 10% commission on sales.
Market Position and Growth
While Depop remains a smaller player compared to competitors like Poshmark—which charges a 20% commission—or the rapidly growing Vinted in the U.K., it maintains a loyal user base. Despite the current operational friction, Apptopia data indicates that Depop’s daily active users (DAUs) have surged 30% year-over-year globally this quarter, with the platform adding 5 million registered users last year to reach a total of 35 million.
Future Operational Improvements
Addressing the payment stability concerns, Depop stated: “We know that prompt payouts are crucial for our sellers, and we’re making changes to our systems to ensure that we can process higher volumes of payouts quickly, as our community grows.”
Etsy is acquiring UK-based social selling site Depop for $1.625B in a mostly cash deal
