Secondhand clothes shopping has become a cultural phenomenon, with apps like Depop and Vinted gaining immense popularity. However, alongside the rise of these platforms, a darker side has emerged. What was once a casual way to buy and sell pre-loved items has now become a breeding ground for scams, heated arguments, and a general atmosphere of distrust. The interactions between buyers and sellers have devolved into something far less civil, where polite exchanges are replaced by insults, accusations, and even threats.
One typical exchange begins with a buyer asking for a discount or combined postage, only for the seller to respond with frustration or outright hostility. This can quickly escalate, with messages turning into personal attacks. In some cases, sellers have even resorted to bizarre forms of retaliation, such as sending a refund in the form of taped-up coins with a sarcastic note.
The rise of accounts like DM Drama, which showcases the most ridiculous and often abusive interactions between buyers and sellers, highlights the extent of the issue. Users submit screenshots of their most outrageous encounters, from receiving counterfeit items to being scammed outright. One buyer might receive a pair of jeans held together with tape, while another might be told by a seller that they’re pretending to be dead to avoid a refund. These instances are not isolated; they are emblematic of a broader trend in online shopping, where communication quickly devolves into chaos.
A survey of 1,300 buyers found that a significant percentage of users have been scammed on these platforms, with Depop being the most notorious. Over 30% of buyers reported receiving counterfeit or incorrect goods, or nothing at all. However, sellers aren’t immune to fraud either. Nearly a quarter of sellers reported being scammed in return. This mutual distrust has become the norm, and it’s clear that both buyers and sellers are operating in a constant state of suspicion.
The growing trend of scams and aggressive interactions can be attributed to several factors. First, the anonymity of online transactions allows people to act without the usual social constraints. As more people spend time online, especially since the pandemic, their communication has become more brash and less considerate. This shift in behavior is particularly evident on apps like Depop, where the primary mode of interaction is bartering, rather than straightforward purchasing. Unlike platforms like eBay, which are more transactional, Depop thrives on negotiation, and the pressure to haggle can lead to volatile exchanges.
There’s also a psychological aspect at play. Many users on these platforms engage in passive-aggressive behavior because it feels less risky than being open and direct. The anonymity of the internet makes it easier to vent frustrations without fear of repercussions. This can lead to a cycle of anger and defensiveness, where both buyers and sellers feel the need to protect themselves from being taken advantage of. As one expert notes, the more we engage in aggressive behavior, the more we reinforce it, making it harder to break the cycle.
In addition to the general atmosphere of mistrust, there’s the issue of inflated prices and deceptive practices. Some sellers, especially younger users, have turned secondhand shopping into a hustle, buying items cheaply from charity shops and reselling them for a profit, sometimes even altering or misrepresenting the products. This entrepreneurial spirit can sometimes cross the line into dishonesty, with items being sold as vintage or authentic when they are neither. The pressure to make money, combined with the ease of online transactions, has led to a rise in such unethical practices.
Despite these challenges, many users remain loyal to these platforms, drawn by the low prices and the thrill of finding unique items. However, the cost of this convenience is high, as both buyers and sellers must navigate a landscape of scams, dishonesty, and sometimes outright hostility. As the cost-of-living crisis continues and the high street fades, these secondhand marketplaces have become an essential part of many people’s shopping habits, even if the experience is often fraught with tension.
In the end, it seems that the online marketplace has become a reflection of broader societal trends: a shift toward transactional, often combative relationships where trust is in short supply. While the apps themselves provide a platform for buying and selling, they have also facilitated a new form of communication one where haggling, insults, and scams have become as much a part of the experience as the clothes themselves.
