How To Offer Free Shipping On Depop A Sellers Guide To Conditional Offers And Bundle Discounts

Free shipping on Depop is a seller-driven promotional strategy, not a platform-wide feature. According to the provided sources, Depop does not automatically apply free shipping based on cart value, nor does the platform enforce a universal "free over $X" rule. Instead, the decision to offer free shipping rests entirely with the individual seller. When a seller chooses to cover shipping costs, a "Free shipping" badge appears next to the item price, which can increase visibility and attract potential buyers. This approach allows sellers to control their profit margins while using shipping incentives to boost sales velocity and average order value.

The primary methods for implementing free shipping involve adjusting item prices to absorb shipping costs, utilizing Depop’s bundle discount settings where available, or creating custom listings and private offers for specific buyers. Sellers must carefully calculate their pricing to ensure that covering shipping does not erode their profits. The sources emphasize that free shipping is most effective for lightweight, low-margin items and should generally be avoided for heavy, oversized, fragile, or international shipments due to volatile costs and increased risks.

Understanding Depop Shipping Dynamics

Shipping on Depop operates through a built-in label flow that offers sellers flexibility. Sellers can choose between using Depop’s prepaid shipping labels or arranging their own shipping through third-party carriers. When a seller opts to "seller covers shipping," they are financially responsible for the delivery cost, effectively making the shipping free for the buyer.

This strategy is distinct from the buyer paying for shipping at checkout. The sources clarify that while the platform provides the tools, the implementation of free shipping is a tactical decision based on the seller's business model, item type, and target audience. It is not a default setting or a guaranteed benefit for buyers unless the seller explicitly configures it.

How to Set Up Free Shipping on Depop (Mobile and Desktop)

Sellers can enable free shipping through several configurations on both mobile and desktop platforms. The process involves adjusting listing settings, calculating costs, and sometimes communicating directly with buyers.

Price Adjustment Method The most straightforward way to offer free shipping is to build the estimated shipping cost into the item's list price. * Calculation: The sources recommend using a formula to determine the new price: Item price = target margin + Depop fee + average label cost + small buffer. * Implementation: Sellers should use the fee box in the listing editor to check Depop shipping prices and final payout amounts before saving. This ensures the final price covers all costs while maintaining the desired profit margin. * Visual Badge: Once the price is set and the seller covers shipping, the listing will display a "Free shipping" badge.

Using Depop Shipping Labels Sellers can utilize Depop’s label system to manage costs. * Label Options: Sellers can select prepaid labels or QR codes for use at the post office, or print labels at home. * Cost Comparison: The sources advise comparing Depop shipping labels with quotes from third-party carriers like Pirate Ship, Royal Mail Click & Drop, USPS, or UPS. Choosing the cheaper or faster option helps maintain cost-effectiveness while providing the same service to the buyer. * Setup: In the listing editor, sellers must set the weight and select their preferred label option. Turning on "Seller covers shipping" finalizes the setup.

Platform-Specific Navigation While the core controls are similar, the interface differs slightly between devices. * Desktop: Controls are typically located in panels on the right side or lower on the page, depending on screen size. * Mobile App: The settings are integrated into the mobile listing flow.

Conditional Free Shipping: Bundles and Private Offers

Since Depop does not auto-apply free shipping thresholds, sellers must manually create conditional offers. This is highly effective for increasing bundle sales.

Bundle Discount Setting If available in the seller's region, Depop offers a native bundle discount feature. 1. Activate the Setting: Locate and turn on the bundle discount option in shop settings. 2. Set Percentage: Configure a percentage discount for orders containing two or more items. The discount should be calculated to roughly cover the additional shipping label cost. 3. Weight Management: To keep costs predictable, sellers should try to keep bundles within the same weight tier (e.g., two t-shirts often fit in the "xxs" or "xs" tier, while a t-shirt and a hoodie might jump to a higher tier).

Private Offers via Messaging When a buyer inquires or adds items to their cart, sellers can send a private offer. * Process: Send a message offering to lower the total price by the amount of the shipping label, effectively making shipping free. * Communication: Clearly state the terms, such as "Free shipping if you purchase both items."

Custom Bundle Listings For complex bundles or specific buyers, sellers can create a custom listing. 1. Create Listing: Make a new listing titled "Bundle for @username." 2. Price and Shipping: Set the price to the sum of the agreed-upon items. Ensure the "Seller covers shipping" option is turned on for this listing. 3. Visuals: Upload a collage photo showing the items included in the bundle.

Post-Sale Refunds If a buyer has already purchased items separately and wants free shipping, sellers can process a refund after the sale. * Method: Refund the label amount through the payment processor (PayPal or Depop Payments), provided the platform's policies allow it. * Documentation: It is critical to keep clear screenshots of the agreement in the chat history to verify the refund reason if questioned by the platform or payment provider.

Promotional Copy and Shop Policies

Clear communication is essential for managing buyer expectations. Sellers should update their shop bio and listing descriptions with specific free shipping rules.

Examples of Effective Copy: * "Free shipping on bundles over $40. Message to set it up." * "Free shipping on 2+ tees but hoodies excluded."

Best Practices for Promos: * Set Simple Rules: Define clear limits based on item category, quantity, or price threshold. * Timing: Run limited-time tests (e.g., a 48-hour weekend promotion) to measure effectiveness without long-term risk. * Exclusions: Clearly state exclusions for heavy, oversized, or fragile items to protect margins.

When to Avoid Free Shipping

The sources explicitly warn against offering free shipping in certain scenarios to avoid financial loss. * Heavy or Oversized Parcels: Shipping costs can be unpredictable and high. * Fragile Goods: These require extra padding, which increases weight and cost, and carries a higher risk of damage during transit. * Thin-Margin Items: Absorbing shipping costs may eliminate profit entirely. * International Shipping: Rates are volatile, and the risk is higher. Sellers should either keep paid shipping for international orders or significantly increase the bundle threshold to cover potential costs.

International Shipping Considerations

Depop allows sellers to enable worldwide shipping. However, the sources strongly advise caution. For international sales, it is safer to use paid shipping or require a much higher minimum purchase amount to qualify for free shipping. Sellers should compare international rates from carriers like USPS, UPS, and Pirate Ship to find the most cost-effective solution.

Payment Methods and Shipping Integration

Depop offers two main payment methods, both of which integrate with shipping choices: * Depop Payments: Allows sellers to receive payments directly to their bank account. Sellers must verify their identity and add bank details. Payments are released after the item is shipped and tracking is updated. * PayPal: Also works seamlessly with all shipping methods.

Regardless of the payment method, sellers can choose to offer free shipping or charge the buyer for shipping based on item size and weight.

Conclusion

Offering free shipping on Depop is a strategic tool for sellers to increase visibility, encourage bundle purchases, and improve sales conversion. It requires careful setup, precise cost calculation, and clear communication with buyers. The most successful implementation involves using Depop’s bundle features, sending private offers, and adjusting item prices to absorb shipping costs. Sellers must remain vigilant about their profit margins, avoiding free shipping for heavy, fragile, or international items where costs are unpredictable. By following the methods outlined—such as comparing label costs, setting simple promotional rules, and documenting agreements—sellers can effectively leverage free shipping to grow their Depop business.

Sources

1. How To Get Free Shipping on Depop (Top Seller’s Guide)
2. How to Sell on Depop