At a glance
On-Time Shipping Rate is the share of Depop orders you dispatched within the platform’s expected window. It is the fulfilment metric buyers feel most directly, and it feeds the ratings and seller standing that decide how much Depop trusts your shop. A rate that drifts below the low-90s percent band tends to precede a wave of poor reviews and dispute pressure, so it works as an early warning for reputation risk.
| What it counts | The percentage of orders shipped on or before their expected dispatch window in the selected period. |
| Sample type | Backend API data from Depop, refreshed on the standard data refresh. |
| Why it matters | Late dispatch is the fastest route to a low rating and a dispute. Depop’s algorithm and buyers both reward reliable sellers, so on-time shipping protects both reputation and reach. |
| Reading the value | Higher is better. Hold above the low-90s percent band. A dip is an operational signal, usually a backlog or a stock-out, that you can clear before reviews react. |
| Currency | percent |
| Time window | 30D versus prior period |
| Alert trigger | < 90% |
| Sentiment key | dep_on_time_ship_rate |
| Roles | owner, operations |
Calculation
The card divides orders dispatched within their expected window by total orders due to ship in the period, expressed as a percentage. Vortex IQ reads dispatch timestamps and order deadlines from the Depop integration. The exact deadline model is set by Depop and is described here in general terms.Worked example
A representative reading of On-Time Shipping Rate for a typical one-person resale shop on Depop. The shop normally ran at 96 percent on time. During a busy fortnight in June 26 it slipped to 88 percent, tripping the alert. Vortex Mind tied the miss to a cluster of orders for items that turned out to be sold elsewhere, so packing stalled while the seller sourced replacements or refunded. The fix was operational: a clearer pull-list and faster refunds on unavailable items. The next period recovered to 95 percent and the shop’s rating held. To see which orders breached, ask Ask Viq for orders shipped after their deadline last month.Sibling cards merchants should reference together
| Card | Why merchants reach for it |
|---|---|
dep_pending_ship | Fulfilment sibling: a rising backlog is the leading cause of late dispatch. |
dep_late_shipments | Alert sibling: the live list of orders already past their deadline. |
dep_dispute_rate | Reputation sibling: late shipping feeds disputes and refunds. |
dep_rating_average | Reputation sibling: late dispatch is a top driver of low ratings. |
dep_orders_per_day | Volume sibling: order spikes stress dispatch capacity. |
Reconciling against Depop
Where to look in Depop’s own dashboard: Depop tracks dispatch performance against its expected windows in the seller hub and reflects it in your seller standing. Reconcile by comparing the Vortex IQ rate to the on-time signals Depop surfaces for the same period. Why the Vortex IQ value may legitimately differ:| Reason | Direction | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Period boundary. Vortex IQ uses a 30-day rolling window; Depop may use a different reporting period. | Variable | Match the period range. |
| Deadline interpretation. The expected window is Depop’s model; Vortex IQ mirrors it but timing of marking dispatched can differ. | Marginal | Mark orders dispatched promptly. |
| Order scope. Cancelled or refunded orders may be handled differently. | Variable | Confirm which orders are in scope. |