Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: Origins of Depop and Social Selling
Origins of Depop and Social Selling
Knowledge check
Q1. In which country was Depop founded?
- A. United States
- B. United Kingdom ✓
- C. Australia
- D. Canada
Why: Depop was founded in London, United Kingdom, in 2011, as a mobile-first marketplace for buying and selling secondhand and vintage fashion.
Q2. What is the primary format through which Depop sellers list items?
- A. Auction-style bidding pages
- B. Long-form product catalogues
- C. Mobile-friendly photo listings resembling social media posts ✓
- D. Printed catalogues mailed to buyers
Why: Depop centres on short, image-driven listings that feel like social media posts, reflecting its roots as a visual, mobile-first platform.
Q3. What term best describes Depop's model of combining shopping with social networking?
- A. Social selling ✓
- B. Wholesale distribution
- C. Dropshipping
- D. Drop-off retail
Why: Social selling refers to using social networking features such as follows, likes, and comments to build community and drive sales, which is central to Depop's design.
Q4. Which younger demographic was Depop particularly successful in attracting in its early years?
- A. Retirees seeking pension-friendly goods
- B. Gen Z and young millennial users ✓
- C. Corporate buyers purchasing in bulk
- D. Children under 12
Why: Depop grew strongly among Gen Z and young millennials, who embraced its aesthetic, vintage-focused culture and social features.
Q5. Why did Depop's early growth align with the rise of the secondhand fashion movement?
- A. It banned all new clothing listings
- B. It made reselling personal style accessible and appealing as a sustainable, individual alternative to fast fashion ✓
- C. It was funded by fast fashion retailers
- D. It only sold items from luxury brands
Why: Depop made peer-to-peer resale of vintage and pre-loved clothing easy and social, aligning with growing interest in sustainability and creative self-expression over mass-produced fast fashion.
Module 2
Module 2: Building a Profitable Depop Shop
Building a Profitable Depop Shop
Knowledge check
Q1. Which factor most directly affects how quickly a Depop listing sells?
- A. The number of emojis used in the title
- B. Clear, accurate photos and a detailed description with measurements
- C. Posting only at midnight
- D. Listing items at the highest possible price regardless of condition
Q2. Why is it important to include measurements in a clothing listing?
- A. Depop requires measurements for every item to be published
- B. Buyers rely on measurements to judge fit, which reduces returns and disputes
- C. Measurements increase the item's search ranking on the platform
- D. Measurements are only needed for shoes
Q3. What is a sensible first step when pricing a secondhand item for your Depop shop?
- A. Price it at the original retail price no matter the condition
- B. Research sold listings of similar items and consider condition and brand
- C. Set the price to the lowest amount you can find anywhere online
- D. Price every item at exactly $10 for simplicity
Q4. Which practice helps build buyer trust and repeat purchases in a Depop shop?
- A. Leaving messages unanswered until a listing sells
- B. Hiding flaws or condition issues in photos
- C. Responding promptly and describing condition honestly, including any flaws
- D. Changing prices randomly every hour
Q5. What does 'bundling' items mean in a Depop shop?
- A. Posting the same item multiple times to boost visibility
- B. Offering several items together at a combined price to encourage larger orders
- C. Shipping items in separate packages to each buyer
- D. Removing all listings from the shop for a season
Module 3
Module 3: Sourcing Secondhand Inventory
Sourcing Secondhand Inventory
Knowledge check
Q1. Which of the following is generally the best first step when sourcing secondhand clothing to resell on Depop?
- A. Buying the largest bulk lot you can afford without inspecting items
- B. Researching current resale prices and sold listings for similar items ✓
- C. Purchasing only designer brands regardless of condition
- D. Relisting items immediately without cleaning or repairing them
Why: Checking sold listings shows what buyers actually pay, helping you avoid overpaying for inventory and identify which items are in demand.
Q2. Which of these is a common source of secondhand inventory for Depop sellers?
- A. Thrift stores and charity shops ✓
- B. Brand-new wholesale catalogues only
- C. Factory outlet clearance racks exclusively
- D. Manufacturers' direct-to-consumer websites
Why: Thrift stores and charity shops are classic sourcing grounds for secondhand items at low cost, which is central to the reselling model.
Q3. When inspecting a secondhand garment before buying, what should you check first?
- A. The price tag color
- B. The fabric condition, stains, holes, and odor ✓
- C. The brand's social media following
- D. How many other people have viewed it online
Why: Inspecting fabric for damage, stains, and smells helps you estimate repair or cleaning costs and avoid buying items that cannot be sold at a profit.
Q4. What is a potential benefit of sourcing from estate sales or car boot sales?
- A. Items are always brand new with tags
- B. Access to unique or vintage pieces at low prices ✓
- C. Guaranteed authenticity certificates for every item
- D. No need to inspect items for condition
Why: Estate sales and car boot sales often offer unique, vintage, or overlooked items at low prices, which can be valuable additions to a Depop shop.
Q5. Why is it useful to track your sourcing costs for each item?
- A. It is required by Depop's terms of service for all sellers
- B. It helps you calculate true profit margins after fees and shipping ✓
- C. It lets you avoid paying any taxes on purchases
- D. It automatically increases the listing visibility of items
Why: Recording what you paid for each item allows you to subtract cost, platform fees, and shipping to determine your real profit and make better buying decisions.
Module 4
Module 4: Pricing, Photography and Listings
Pricing, Photography and Listings
Knowledge check
Q1. Which factor should you consider first when pricing a secondhand item on Depop?
- A. Always price it at the highest amount you can imagine
- B. Research what similar items have recently sold for
- C. Match the price of the cheapest listing you can find
- D. Set the price equal to the original retail price
Q2. What is the main benefit of photographing secondhand items in natural daylight?
- A. It makes the phone battery last longer
- B. It shows true colours and reduces harsh shadows
- C. It automatically removes any flaws from the item
- D. It is required by Depop's terms of service
Q3. Which listing element helps buyers judge the fit of a clothing item?
- A. A list of hashtags only
- B. A vague description like 'nice top'
- C. Accurate measurements taken flat, such as chest width and length
- D. A photo of the item on a hanger with no other details
Q4. Why is it good practice to photograph any flaws or wear on a secondhand item?
- A. Buyers are more likely to leave a review that mentions the flaw
- B. It increases the item's value automatically
- C. It builds trust and reduces the chance of returns or disputes
- D. Depop requires sellers to show every flaw in a separate listing
Q5. What is a sensible approach when deciding whether to accept a lower offer from a buyer?
- A. Always accept any offer, no matter how low
- B. Refuse all offers so you never lose money
- C. Consider your minimum acceptable price and the item's sale history before deciding
- D. Ignore the offer and relist the item at double the price
Module 5
Module 5: Fashion Trends and Vintage Demand
Fashion Trends and Vintage Demand
Knowledge check
Q1. What is Depop primarily known as?
- A. A cryptocurrency exchange for fashion brands
- B. A social marketplace for buying and selling secondhand and vintage clothing ✓
- C. A shipping service for luxury retailers
- D. A fashion design software platform
Why: Depop is a social selling app where users buy and sell secondhand and vintage clothing and accessories, often with a strong emphasis on personal style and community.
Q2. Which feature distinguishes Depop from traditional online retail marketplaces?
- A. Every item is sold at a fixed manufacturer price
- B. Sellers build personal shops with a social, image-driven feel similar to social media ✓
- C. Only newly manufactured clothing is permitted
- D. Buyers cannot message sellers
Why: Depop blends e-commerce with social media, letting sellers curate their own shop identity, follow other users, and engage with buyers through photos and comments.
Q3. Why has vintage clothing demand grown among younger shoppers?
- A. Vintage items are always cheaper than new clothing
- B. Vintage pieces offer unique style and align with sustainability and individual self-expression ✓
- C. Vintage clothing is required by most schools
- D. Manufacturers have stopped producing new clothes
Why: Many young shoppers value the uniqueness of vintage pieces, the environmental benefit of reusing garments, and the ability to express individual identity rather than following mass-produced trends.
Q4. What does the term 'secondhand revolution' generally refer to?
- A. A government policy banning new clothing production
- B. A shift in consumer behavior toward buying and reselling pre-owned fashion ✓
- C. The invention of a new textile material
- D. A decline in fashion social media use
Why: The secondhand revolution describes the growing cultural and economic shift toward reusing, reselling, and purchasing pre-owned clothing as a mainstream practice.
Q5. How do fashion trends often influence vintage demand?
- A. Trends have no effect on vintage items
- B. When a style trends, related vintage pieces often become more sought after and sell at higher prices ✓
- C. Trends only affect new retail stores
- D. Vintage items become worthless once a trend appears
Why: When a particular style, era, or brand gains popularity, matching vintage pieces tend to see increased demand, which can raise their resale value.
Module 6
Module 6: Shipping, Customer Service and Reviews
Shipping, Customer Service and Reviews
Knowledge check
Q1. Which of the following is the most important reason to respond promptly to buyer messages on Depop?
- A. It allows you to raise your prices automatically
- B. It builds trust and can improve your seller reputation and likelihood of future sales
- C. Depop requires a reply within one minute or the item is removed
- D. It prevents buyers from leaving any reviews at all
Q2. When should you typically dispatch an order after a buyer has paid?
- A. Only after the buyer has left a positive review
- B. Within the timeframe stated in your shop policy, ideally as soon as practical
- C. Exactly 30 days after the purchase date
- D. Only once the buyer has messaged you to ask about the item
Q3. What is the best first response when a buyer says an item arrived with a small flaw that was not mentioned in the listing?
- A. Ignore the message and hope the buyer forgets about it
- B. Politely apologise, ask for photos, and discuss a suitable resolution such as a partial refund
- C. Tell the buyer the flaw is their own fault for not asking first
- D. Immediately block the buyer and leave a negative review of them
Q4. Why is it helpful to include tracking when shipping an item on Depop?
- A. Tracking makes the parcel arrive faster than untracked post
- B. It reassures buyers, provides proof of postage, and helps resolve disputes about lost parcels
- C. Depop charges less commission on tracked items
- D. Tracking is only needed for items priced above a certain amount
Q5. Which approach to leaving feedback for buyers is generally considered good practice?
- A. Leaving a negative review as soon as any issue arises, before speaking to the buyer
- B. Leaving honest, fair feedback after the transaction is complete and any issues are resolved
- C. Asking buyers to pay you extra in exchange for a positive review
- D. Only reviewing buyers who have bought more than three items
Module 7
Module 7: Sustainability and the Future of Secondhand
Sustainability and the Future of Secondhand
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the primary reason secondhand fashion is often considered more sustainable than buying new clothing?
- A. Secondhand clothes are always made from higher-quality materials
- B. It extends the useful life of existing garments and reduces demand for new production
- C. Secondhand clothing is exempt from shipping emissions
- D. Secondhand items are always produced using organic cotton
Q2. Which of the following best describes Depop's core business model?
- A. A factory that manufactures private-label clothing for brands
- B. A mobile marketplace where individual sellers list and sell items directly to buyers
- C. A wholesale platform that sells bulk inventory to retail stores
- D. A recycling service that converts old textiles into new fibers
Q3. What is 'fast fashion,' and why is it relevant to the secondhand movement?
- A. A trend of wearing clothes for only one season, which secondhand markets help counter by recirculating garments
- B. A government regulation that speeds up clothing approval times
- C. A shipping method that delivers clothing within 24 hours
- D. A type of fabric that dries quickly, popular in athletic wear
Q4. Which of these is a common environmental drawback of the textile industry that secondhand shopping can help reduce?
- A. Excessive use of recycled polyester in new garments
- B. Overproduction of clothing that often ends up in landfills
- C. Too many local artisans producing handmade goods
- D. Limited availability of cotton crops in tropical regions
Q5. Why might a secondhand seller on Depop choose to ship items in reused packaging?
- A. It is legally required for all online marketplaces
- B. It reduces waste and aligns with the sustainability values often associated with secondhand shopping
- C. Reused packaging is always cheaper than new packaging in every country
- D. Buyers on Depop refuse to accept packages that are not reused