Vinted Virgin!

[RabbitsRock]

Just set up an account to buy Converse for DD15 & realised how much stuff I could possibly sell. Any tips for a first time user?

Following

People will offer really low amounts so be firm on how much you want.
Use a parcel service you have access to.
Try and post as soon as possible.
Check the rules on what happens when a buyer disputes what youve sent!

Iron things. Accept that most second-hand things aren't worth as much as you would like and it's a competitive marketplace so look what others are getting and let that guide you for price. Take lots of photos, and include labels. Respond positively and promptly to buyers. Go for it!

Post them for sale just before pay day, they actually have an article on tips. The biggest mistake I made was choosing all the different posting types and having to go to several postage facilities. Now I just use Evri

If your buyer/ someone you’re buying from has no reviews, don’t be put off by it. It’s tempting to think they must be a ‘bad egg’, but each one of us on Vinted have had no reviews at one point (and we’re not all bad!).

If something you are looking to buy is priced ridiculously low, it most definitely will a scammer. If it is cheaper than the average price you have seen other sellers selling it for, then that is a red flag. Saying that, sometimes the seller doesn’t know the true worth of their item, and they list it cheaply, but look out for the other signs to see if they are genuine.

Quite often, their username will be a weird mixture of letters and numbers (but not always), and generally no reviews. Also, if you look at their wardrobe, they will either have one or two ‘cheap’ items, or several items of images they have stolen, so none of the backgrounds match (that’s a big giveaway to me).

Just to clarify, it the lack of reviews is the only concern, I would make the purchase/sale, but if there are no reviews, and all the other things I mentioned, then I advise you to step away!

As a buyer, more details and pics are better - show the care label, any features like ruffles, pockets, cuff buttons etc. Say if it comes up small for the label size. Point out if it’s a long or short leg.

As a seller I always price to sell on the basis that it’s just raising a bit of pocket money to make space. If someone favourites the item I will offer to them for £1 less (so set prices at £1 more than I think someone will buy it for) - saving a pound often converts favourites into sales!

I never remove the balance from Vinted, and buy with my Vinted balance so it basically feels like swapping!!

Good pictures
Use Inpost, Yodel or Evri - is you use Royal Mail you have to pay for postage and claim the money back, they others pre-pay the postage.

Take Royal Mail off your postage options as it’s a bit of a faff! Look at your local shops and see which couriers they use. I also took the InPost Locker service off my postage options as it took me five days to find an available one, luckily I had a very patient buyer.

Set up a little photo corner in an uncluttered, bright area of your home and use it for all your photos so your gallery doesn’t look messy.

I normally overprice my stuff as you get silly offers, so I tend to advertise it for more than I want for the item and will then accept offers I’m happy with. Guarantee if you list something for £1, someone will offer you 50p 🙄

I buy a big pack of postage bags in various sizes from eBay or Amazon. I have once sent a large item in a thick, good-quality rubble sack, though!

If you have an Evri drop-off near you, use that - it's the easiest in my experience, but make sure its the only option for buyers to use. Otherwise you can end up dropping off at Evri, Yodel and also Royal Mail which can send you crazy. Also, be aware that people can make an offer but it's not binding in any way if you accept, ie they don't have to buy.

Give it a go! It's really easy. I use the in post lockers and evri for postage. Found if I used royal mail the cost was always more than vinted factored in, so I always ended up paying the difference.

I sell regularly on vinted and buy also!

My tips would be to upload regularly, I try to do a an item every other day it only takes a minute upload.

Make sure you have good quality pics, I either hang clothes on a hanger on the door or on a (made) bed, use a plain sheet as a background.

Always price a bit higher than you are expecting as often people will make offers and haggle a bit.

Check which postage options are near to you to make it easier. I only offer inpost and evri as I walk past both those daily. I try to post next day if I can.

I bulk buy postage plastic bags on Amazon they cost pennies each.

Good luck!

How do in post lockers work? I have to collect DD’s boots from a 24 hour garage locally so would that collection point be where I send stuff from?

Yes most likely. You need a smartphone, you scan a barcode on the screen, choose a size if locker to match your item. The door opens, put the item in, close the door, enter your email address and you get a receipt. Beware they get full, I had to go two towns over to find an empty one, so I don't use them anymore. I gave about 10 Evri places in walking distance so I use that option.

I sell on Vinted and absolutely love it.

If I’ve decided I don’t need an item that’s in my wardrobe, then any money is a bonus. So I price everything to sell and rarely have anything that hangs around for more than a week.

Some sellers are very unrealistic and end up with no money because they can’t understand how to sell. I saw a nice secondhand playsuit from a good brand when I was looking for some shorts. The seller had priced it at £100 cos it cost £250 new.

Well, maybe but it is not new now and I’m not buying it from a shop with returns and that’s just too much money. I offered £50 but it was declined. Anyway - I noticed that she’s just dropped the price to £80 but it’s nearly August, and with shipping time it might not get to most people in time for them going on holiday etc… Don’t reckon she’ll sell at that price either.

Your first purchase and your first sale are free delivery.

Use it wisely as a seller and dont price your first item too low. Seasoned buyers actively look out for new sellers with a £0 postage offer and will be willing to pay a little more as they're saving 2 or 3 quid on postage.

I never remove the balance from Vinted, and buy with my Vinted balance so it basically feels like swapping!!

Yes, I do this. It feels like getting free clothes, I love it.

Just be careful doing that, as there are cases of Vinted shutting down your account for no known reason, and people have lost a lot of money (one lady lost a few hundred pounds).

I was diddled the other day, as I had a parcel to take to the post office. The buyer had (correctly) paid £3 something, but the parcel cost £5 to send (which was the cheapest option), so I ended up having to cover the extra cost. I now know that it is best to buy postage online.

I have take Royal Mail off of my postal options.

Definitely use Tracked 24/48 for Royal Mail. Cheaper and you can track it!

I sell a lot on vinted, cheap and cheerful, most stuff is £1-£2 apart from better brands. I take lots of pictures, so front/back/details like zips/ties/pockets etc/labels showing size and materials.

I describe it honestly, although I don't tend to sell stuff that is damaged anyway, but make sure that any flaws are shown in the photos.

You can offer discounts for bundles, so that people get a bit off for buying more items from you.

I only offer evri and inpost as postal options. Yodel is too far away to drop off to and Royal Mail is a pain as the buyer could underpay.

A lot of people will favourite things but never buy. A lot of people will offer a lower price but then not proceed even if you say yes.

I have made several hundred pounds over the past 3 years, selling clothes, books, toys, toiletries, house bits, makeup, jewellery, bags, shoes, GCSE books etc.

I have saved a fortune buying DD's Christmas and Birthday presents from vinted using the balance from my sales. I got some wonderful musical theatre books for £10 each instead of £35 brand new.

Good luck

When you're buying, always have a look and see if they are selling anything else you want, because then it's only one lot of postage.