UK marketplaces: eBay UK, Gumtree, Vinted, Depop

What's different about the UK

The UK has eBay and Amazon like everywhere else, but also strong local platforms: Gumtree for classifieds, Vinted for clothes, Depop for trendy fashion. Each has its niche.

eBay UK

Works like eBay everywhere else, but with UK-specific features: prices in GBP, Royal Mail integration, UK customer service.

Fees: 12.8% final value fee on most stuff, plus £0.30 per order. Store subscriptions from £19.99/month.

What sells: Electronics, collectibles (strong UK market for these), fashion, home and garden, vehicle parts.

Tips: Use Royal Mail Click & Drop for easy shipping. Offer free delivery since buyers filter for it. Sunday evening auction endings. Check sold listings, not active listings, for pricing.

Gumtree

UK's main classifieds site, owned by eBay. Like Craigslist but with a better interface.

Fees: Free for most listings. No selling commission. Paid promotion available if you want visibility.

What it's for: Furniture (too heavy to ship), vehicles, property rentals, jobs, services, free items.

Where it's strong: London, Manchester, Birmingham, other major cities.

Safety: Meet in public, don't share personal details upfront, use Gumtree's messaging, verify buyers on expensive items.

Vinted

Peer-to-peer fashion marketplace. Has gotten huge across the UK.

The hook: No seller fees. You keep 100%. Buyers pay a small protection fee instead.

What sells: Women's clothing, designer items, vintage, kids' clothes, shoes, accessories.

Why prices are low: No seller fees means sellers can price lower. Plus high competition and negotiation is expected.

Tips: Photo on person or mannequin works better. Include measurements (UK sizing varies). Be honest about flaws. Bundle items. Ship fast with tracking.

Depop

Social marketplace with Instagram vibes. Gen Z and millennial audience.

Fees: 10% selling fee plus payment processing (~2.9% + £0.30).

What it's for: Vintage, streetwear, Y2K fashion, handmade items, unique pieces.

The difference from Vinted: Higher fees but trendier audience who pays more for the right items. If you're selling practical everyday clothes, Vinted is better. If you're selling something with style appeal, Depop can get higher prices.

Depop vs Vinted

	Depop	Vinted
Fees	10%	0%
Audience	Gen Z	All ages
Vibe	Curated, trendy	Practical
Prices	Higher	Lower
Best for	Unique items	Basic fashion

Pricing in pounds

Always price in GBP. UK buyers expect it. If you're a business seller, factor in VAT.

Post-Brexit EU selling: Customs declarations required, VAT complications, longer delivery times. Consider whether it's worth the hassle for the sale.

Shipping: Royal Mail vs couriers

Royal Mail

Service	Speed	Tracking	Use for
2nd Class	2-3 days	Basic	Low-value
1st Class	1-2 days	Basic	Standard
Tracked 24	Next day	Full	Higher value
Tracked 48	2-3 days	Full	Mid-value
Special Delivery	Next day	Full + insurance	Expensive items

Royal Mail works well with Click & Drop integration. Familiar to UK buyers. Post offices everywhere.

Couriers

For bigger items or when you need better service:

• Evri (Hermes): Cheap but quality varies
• DPD: Reliable, costs more
• UPS: Good for heavy items
• Parcel2Go: Compare prices

What it costs (small parcel)

• 2nd Class: ~£3.20
• 1st Class: ~£4.45
• Tracked 48: ~£4.00
• Tracked 24: ~£5.00

Use comparison sites like Parcel2Go for best rates.

Which platform for what

Platform	Use for	Fees	Audience
eBay UK	General selling	13%+	Everyone
Gumtree	Local, big items	Free	Local
Vinted	Clothes	Free	Fashion buyers
Depop	Trendy fashion	10%	Gen Z

The practical answer

eBay UK: General stuff, anything that ships well, electronics, collectibles.

Gumtree: Furniture, vehicles, local-only items, services.

Vinted: Everyday clothes with zero fees.

Depop: Trendy, vintage, or unique fashion where style matters.

Many sellers use multiple platforms. List clothes on both Vinted and Depop to see where they sell.

Check values in GBP on CostBuddy before pricing.