With steals on secondhand loot and a social media aesthetic, the e-commerce app Depop has taken its place in the new generation.
Eighth grader Grady Putnam, an avid user, has earned $500 by selling items on Depop. He also enjoys shopping for sportswear brands like Nike, Adidas and Ron Jon Surf Shop. For those items, he shops on Depop.
“It has a bigger used market for prices less than retail,” Putnam said. “On other shopping apps, it’s just a lot of mass-produced stuff.”
Putnam also praised the app’s simple user interface.
“You can communicate with the sellers well,” Putnam said.
Whatnot is known for a highly paced online auction and Etsy is for one-of-a-kind items. Then, Depop has crafted a specialty as a Salvation Army for teenagers. Depop serves as a link between a chaotic thrift store and an easy-going social media app.
Depop also uses its own proprietary search and recommendation algorithms, so it gives you items tailored to your interests.
Eighth grader Felix Cali, who has long been interested in modern streetwear, has attended dozens of major sneaker conventions such as Sneaker Con and Got Sole, where enthusiasts gather to buy, sell and trade sneakers, streetwear and collectibles. However, he still believes that Depop is the best option.
“There are no selling fees, so it’s easier to sell your items,” Cali said. “Depop also shows me items based on what I’ve been recently interested in, which makes it feel super convenient.”
Eighth grader Avery Sim, uses Depop to buy cheap basics and scour for steals on designer brands. Her favorite purchase to date was a pair of Nike Blazers, which she described as “a lot cheaper and still in good condition.”
“Depop is a better option for buying things because you can negotiate prices when the item is already at a discount,” Sim said.
Rather than being just another passing trend, Depop raises a bigger question about whether its rapid rise reflects short-term hype or a lasting influence in how people shop and express themselves.
“I could see it becoming pretty big and growing to be sort of a thing where people could buy all sorts of stuff, not only clothing,” Putnam said.