Running a vintage bag business is such a rewarding experience, but it comes with its challenges—especially when selling on platforms like Depop. Let me tell you a story about how I almost got scammed out of $415 by a buyer who falsely claimed I sold them a fake Prada bag.
Why I Sell on Depop
Increased Traffic: As a newer business, platforms like Depop give me access to a wider audience.
Customer Security: Some buyers feel more comfortable shopping on these platforms because they believe they’re protected from scams and can request refunds if anything goes wrong.
The irony? I was the one almost scammed.
The Sale
A girl bought an adorable orange Prada bag from my shop for $400. I hesitated at first because she had no reviews, and I’ve heard so many horror stories about sellers being scammed on Depop, but I didn’t want to let fear hold me back, and I was excited to make the sale. So, I shipped out the bag. A day after it was delivered, I reached out to confirm she’d received it and asked if she could leave me a review.
The Scam Attempt
That’s when she dropped the bombshell: She claimed the bag was fake. Unfortunately, I don’t have all the chat screenshots because this happened last year, and Depop’s chat history seems to have vanished. However, I do have one small screenshot showing part of my final response. I immediately asked her why she thought the bag was fake. Guess what? She never replied.
How I Handled It
When she ghosted me, I knew I had to get Depop involved. It’s one thing to know scammers exist—that’s just reality. But it’s another thing to be unprepared when they try to take advantage of you.
Luckily, I was prepared. Here’s what I did before shipping the bag:
Documented the Bag:
Took detailed photos of the bag, including hardware, stitching, and the authenticity certificate from a third-party authenticator.
Recorded the Packing Process:
Filmed myself packing the bag, weighing it on my food scale, and dropping it off at the post office.
I also recorded the postal worker re-weighing it to match the shipment details.
Saved All Proof:
Uploaded and saved these files in case I needed them later.
I sent all this evidence to Depop. A few days later, I was relieved to see the payout in my account. I don’t know what happened on her end, but I got my money, and the situation was resolved in my favor.
Lessons Learned
This story has a happy ending, but not everyone is so lucky. Scams are common on resale platforms, so here’s my advice to fellow sellers: Take pictures and video evidence of everything you sell. From photographing the item’s details to recording the packing and shipping process, having proof is your best defense against scammers.
You never know what might happen, and protecting yourself as a seller is critical.
What about you? Have you ever dealt with scams or tricky situations as a seller? Share your experiences below—I’d love to hear how you handled them!
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