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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is the buyer a CF or am I?

144 replies

OMGitsnotgood · 15/05/2025 15:45

I sold something for a couple of pounds on Vinted. I’d run out of new postage bags, I could either wait a few days to order & receive some more or reuse one I’d received something in and post it immediately. I decided on tbe latter, turned the bag inside out so the old label was inside, all info crossed out . It looked like new from tbe outside and was securely packaged. I thought to myself actually I should do that more often, better for the planet etc.
The buyer didn’t leave me feedback (thankfully), but did send me a message saying tbey didn’t appreciate being sent something in packaging that had already been used. Honestly, the packaging was like new from tbe outside.. I responded politely saying it was that or she had to wait longer for her £2.50 item, and tbat it was ironic that someone buying second hand clothes and tben complaining about 2nd hand (but new looking) packaging, I won’t enter into any further communication.
Before I re-use packaging again, I thought I’d ask on here whether it’s not the done thing and everyone expects new packaging? Receiving messages like that doesn’t bother me but my concern is whether another buyer might leave me poor feedback, which might affect future sales. Am I missing something?

OP posts:
Profhilodisaster · 15/05/2025 16:36

When you're selling stuff for just a couple of pounds it's daft to pay out for new packaging and wasteful/ bad for the environment etc. I reuse all sorts of bags , all taped up well to avoid any rips.

HuffleMyPuffle · 15/05/2025 16:36

Always reuse
It's better for the environment and also your balance since you aren't wasting money on packaging

UndermyShoeJoe · 15/05/2025 16:32

I’ve had stuff turn up in a bin bags, shopping bags and once’s a chopped up tapper up cornflakes box 😅.

I use shipping bags as I got a load free years ago from a company but once I run out I’ll certainly go to whatever I’ve got to hand.

ItsSoStimulatingBeingYourHat · 15/05/2025 16:30

The buyer sounds ridiculous.
And 62% of parcels are sent in reused packaging apparently.

Is the buyer a CF or am I?
Cherrysoup · 15/05/2025 16:30

How very odd of the buyer. I send all of my stuff in secondhand packaging. Who cares, as long as it’s secure, not ripped etc?

Howmanycatsistoomany · 15/05/2025 16:29

YABU for using Vinted (I hate the feckers) 😂but YANBU to use recycled packaging.

Purplebunnie · 15/05/2025 16:29

Certainly better than the black plastic refuse sack some shoes arrived in. As a consequence they were damaged in transit. Couple of sheets of tissue paper and a proper bag would have avoided this

feebeecat · 15/05/2025 16:28

My last vinted package, left on my doorstep by courier, was in an old paper bag from a fish and chip shop. Made me really hungry and quite disappointed.
Nice item though, clean, didn’t smell of vinegar (or anything). Your buyer is barking.

Thisisittheapocalypse · 15/05/2025 16:28

Why on earth would anyone use 'new' packaging to send off secondhand goods if you had perfectly acceptable secondhand packaging? Wasteful not to.

She's the CF

CatsWhiskerz · 15/05/2025 16:28

I've often used old Amazon boxes lol - I bought something once, less than £10 and she'd boxed it up really nicely!!! Lovely box, tissue paper, sweets ... that was more of a shock to me (nice shock lol) than a used bag!! One thing I received as even in a carrier bag taped up lol 😂

TheLeadbetterLife · 15/05/2025 16:26

I'm in Portugal and there are six or so countries in our Vinted market. I've never once received or sent a parcel in new packaging - isn't that the whole point? It's about reducing waste.

I've received things in cereal boxes, TV boxes, supermarket bags, clothes shop bags, amazon boxes, all sorts. Who cares? It's second hand clothes.

WinWhenTheyreSinging · 15/05/2025 16:24

My profile says that I will re-use packaging where possible, all the better for the planet.

BestDIL · 15/05/2025 16:24

I actually appreciate folk who do things like this. I bought some extra thick A5 sticky labels and use bags the right way out so that there is no risk of any potential dirt getting onto the clothing.

doneandone · 15/05/2025 16:23

I reuse packaging all the time. If I'm sending something light coloured then I'll put it in a clear/carrier bag first and then package it up. All reused packaging though.

LancreWowhawk · 15/05/2025 16:22

One of the sellers I bought from recently did exactly the same thing. I thought it was a great idea, TBH!

IButtleSir · 15/05/2025 16:21

Buyer is definitely the CF.

MsFogi · 15/05/2025 16:21

Buyer is a crazy CF - I have never bought or sold anything on Vinted and had 'new' packaging.

AhwoofDuggee · 15/05/2025 16:20

I reuse packaging just remove personal details and make sure it has no holes. I have had items off there packed in cereal boxs. That makes me chuckle. I have never had a complaint over reusing bags.

outdooryone · 15/05/2025 16:17

I reuse a lot of packaging, particularly when it is Vinted sales. I have a bag of, well, bags.

Sandiedoors · 15/05/2025 16:16

I sell stuff re-using old packaging and never had a comment or complaint about it.

OMGitsnotgood · 15/05/2025 16:16

Good point that it was the side that had been in the van that the content was against, but it certainly didn’t look dirty other wise I wouldn’t have used it. I didn’t want to take tbe risk of the new label being a different size but will do that another time. I always wash clothes any way before wearing, so can’t see the issue. Still if the buyer had said that her issue was with it being inside out, I’d have accepted that as a fair, although the top wouldn’t have got dirty and she could have washed it if she was germ phobic . She seemed only to be offended by it being second hand.

OP posts:
Whoarethoseguys · 15/05/2025 16:16

KarmaKameelion · 15/05/2025 16:09

Honestly I don’t mind second hand packaging! I’ve also received stuff inside a wrapped up Sainsbury’s plastic bug.

however by turning it inside out you are using the dirty side that could have been pretty dirty from being in a van, handled, sat outside ect. It could create stains ect on the item of clothing.

next time just stick your label over the other label.

Yes I think the mistake was turning it inside out. I have never done that. I just cross out then address and put label on top. It doesn't matter if the outside looks messy, used. The items will touching the inside. Maybe it's that that the buyer wasn't happy about?

extrasushiplease · 15/05/2025 16:15

What a precious buyer. As long as nothing leaked in the package beforehand or something like that, it's better for the earth AND your pocket book/space to reuse, and I've happily received reused mailers for over 2 decades in various secondhand places online.

AlmostAJillSandwich · 15/05/2025 16:14

I always find it interesting getting second hand packaging, seeing what my sellers themselves like/buy!

CitizenofMoronia · 15/05/2025 16:12

Shs mental... ignore and block