Smelly dirty Vinted purchase and I am the bad guy

[buckwheat]

Looking for an opinion, do you think I made a mistake?

I bought an item on Vinted. It arrived dirty - several stains, visibly unwashed and the smell was horrible. It was described as very good but had some small defects, so let’s say it was not looked after. For the price of it (all in under 10 pounds) I could not deal with the refund, return any of that, I thought I am going to wash it and try it on. If no good - in the charity shop it goes.
I left what I think an honest feedback, stating facts. Now, I got a message from the seller that she has 5 stars that I now ruined and I should have spoken to her first.
I think she should have not sold things in a bad condition, I was upset and the whole kitchen was stinking :) if I would have started an issue and got a refund I wont be able to leave a feedback. Is that how she gets 5 stars? Did I do the right thing or should I let her “deal with it”?

Of course you did the right thing.

I wouldn’t worry about it. You did nothing wrong.

Don’t be a people pleaser
or a doormat

Thanks all. This response nails it, she wobbled me with guilt trip.

This is why people can't rely on reviews! Rather than take the review onboard and reflect on it - she's moaning that she lost her 5 stars! As long as you told the truth you have nothing to worry about. The idea of asking people to 'remove negative feedback' so you keep your 5 stars is ridiculous - you fell short of 5 stars, reflect and it and do better!

I return now even if I have to pay postage (which is very dry unfair). Some terrible sellers. Only happened a few times and have got some bargains. Fair feedback is a good idea :)

Excuse the typo

I’ve raised a dispute twice on vinted. I wouldn’t just leave crappy feedback without allowing the seller to rectify. Both times they have refunded the entire amount and said to keep the item. One was dirty trousers and another was a dress covered in tit tape with a broken zip. As long as I’m not left out of pocket im not bothered about their feedback

That exact scenario happened to me on eBay. I washed the item to try and salvage it but couldn’t in all conscience let them get away with sending soiled crap out and wrote an honest review. They went totally on the offensive and I wished I hadn’t bothered. Now, anything that’s awful and I’ve paid under a certain amount I either bin or charity. I right it off as the gamble you take on these second hand sites.

If it is no good after the wash please don't send it to a charity shop! We have no way to dispose of donated clothing that isn't good enough for sale (and if you don't think it I'd good enough other people won't either) because the rag companies will not take it anymore!

The seller is a complete idiot and should have washed the item first. She is gros for sellin an unwashed item of clothing and has earned her reputation.

You did other vinted buyers a good deed with your honesty, so good on you for standing your ground with her.

Yes, good on you for doing that. My 16 yo dd bought a jacket that was filthy a few months ago and gave a 5 star review. I wasn’t impressed. She didn’t want me to wash it either as it smelled of perfume. The person selling it to her had never thought to wash it despite clearly having worn it just with bra tops / corsets as it the lining was completely stained. I mean seriously minging. And in the wash it went… 🤢

I had a dispute before as well, but for this item that cost me around 5 quid it just was not worth it for me.

The question is around her guild-tripping me that I did not let her chance to fix it. I can understand something like didn’t see the small hole or stitching came off but leaving several big stains that looked like mucus and strong musty smell it’s just no self respect.

While this is correct, some shops do take clean rags in clearly labelled bags

My local BHF does, but you have to ask first

thank you, was thinking exactly it - if the smell won’t go away no way I can take to the charity shop.

Absolutely agree, there is no regret on my side either. I know that Vinted is a gamble.

It’s my second time dealing with the very bad item, first one I returned as it was a bit more expensive. I also was no aware how bad rerun process was and that there are scams there too.
Options were : a)do nothing - seller gets 5 stars or b)leave them an honest feedback.

I hear you, kids will mature :)

I wish it was a perfume smell, it’s very unpleasant musty smell, not sure what is it. It’s overwhelming the utility and kitchen from just being washed. I soaked it in a vinegar overnight.

I did the same on Vinted received a dress REEKING of BO I washed it three times and dried it outside in the sun and it still utterly REEKED I have no idea how a human can have such intense body odour. I left bad FB and she left revenge bad FB. I didn't care I have several hundred 5 star ratings so made her look more guilty than ever. Honestly this dress reeked I threw it away in the end.

I was once left a one star review for a dress i hadn't realised had a hole in it. Woman never complained, idve happily refunded without requesting the item back but whatever, I'll just keep the money 🤷🏻‍♀️

I think you did the right thing. I had a similar situation when sub £12 “very good” “hardly worn” item arrived. Stunk of smoke,pulled threads and very worn. I left 5 star as couldn’t be arsed to return and thought could save it, (i couldn’t). I regret that.

Sellers know when their being CFs. That isn’t our responsibility.

Yes, the item you received was not up to expectations. But imo the reviews on Vinted are for the seller not the items, so I agree that if you had problem with what you received then you should of contacted her first, given her the chance to receive a 5 star review for how she managed the complaint. She might have apologised, offered full refund etc, then you could have given her a good review for her 'customer service'

I hear you.
I would agree if that would be a minor thing she could have missed. Nobody should be selling smelly dirty things though.
She had no respect sending something like this. Why do I have to rate her problem solving?
BTW you have no option to leave a feedback if you don’t click “All OK” on a sale.

Vinted can be so hit and miss. I received a ‘very good’ item full of holes and pulls and had been sewn up very badly, I presume so bosom woulnt be on show but none of this was mentioned in the blurb and/or shown in the pictures. For £6 seemed too much hassle to return. That’s the problem.

I'd be very surprised if they still are by the end of the month. The 3 biggest companies have all now told shops they will only take wearable clothing

I do think some sellers take advantage. Knowing buyers won't send things back because they have to pay return postage. That's why I returned a few things out of principle. I knew they were useless to me due to the condition. I think it's a huge flaw in the vinted system as a lot of items are kept due to the hassle of sending them back.

I think buyers need to put true feedback to protect people from buying again from the bad sellers.