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AIBU?

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Original poster

Vinted as a buyer is shit?

79 replies

Strawberryfieldsforeverrr · 12/09/2023 07:33

Having successfully sold loads I thought I'd give buying a go.

I bought one of those little handbags with the interchangeable straps, described as genuine leather, brand new. I assumed she had bought it and it didn't suit, so was selling.

What arrived was a plastic monstrosity drop shipped from China, absolutely not as described.

I emailed the seller who acknowledged that it's plastic drop ship shit from China, and asked me to return for a refund. Their preferred courier is a PITA arse one for me.

So I'd be about £8 down (postage both ways, Vinted buyer protection), plus about half an hour if my time.

Vinted aren't really contactable, although I have reported the seller.

AIBU to think that Vinted is a load of shit as a buyer, and people who acknowledge they are lying in the add hould be banned?

OP posts:
Qwertyyui · 12/09/2023 07:38

I agree. The 'protection' you pay for doesn't really provide anything. I've bought a few things that were not as described but it wasn't worth the fuss of returning. By the time you pay postage and the protection as well half the time it doesn't really save any money and delivery takes a canny while x

Squirrelsnut · 12/09/2023 07:40

I've had some excellent bargains from them so I can't complain as a buyer, but yes, that is shit for you.

Heyhoherewegoagain · 12/09/2023 07:41

It’s definitely getting worse over the last couple of months. I’m away to return an item which was advertised as navy and white and is very clearly black and cream-the label even says black ffs

Pottedpalm · 12/09/2023 07:42

I have never used Vinted; is there somewhere you can say that the seller described the item as leather and it was plasticc?

GreyFeather · 12/09/2023 07:42

YANBU - this is totally unacceptable and given you have proof of deceit in her reply, you should definitely be able to contact Vinted, who should have a process for banning people like this.

You can get some decent stuff on Vinted for low prices (I get a lot of decent brand kids' stuff) but it takes a lot of trawling through to get things and you have to be quick off the mark to get the really good bargains. I've also sold quite a lot and think I price things reasonably - doesn't matter if they're still in pristine condition, they're still secondhand and I wouldn't want to pay over the odds, especially for kids clothes. I see some people putting them on for ridiculous prices, just because they're Boden or Frugi it whatever. Someone else has still worn it - I'm not paying half to three quarters of full price for it. I also rarely buy unless I can get a bundle as postage plus fees sometimes doubles the cost of the item (or more!), which means I do a lot of sifting through to find people with multiple items I want (rarer than you'd think!). Also annoying as a seller to be waiting for payment - I sold a v reasonably priced bundle recently and the buyer hasn't collected from the pick up, meaning my payment is delayed. Apparently they have up to 15 days to go and get it?!

Anyway, sorry to hijack your thread! YANBU.

Summerhillsquare · 12/09/2023 07:43

You only lose the return postage I think.

I tend to assume 1 in 10 transactions will go wrong, and factor that in to my purchasing.

Pleaseme · 12/09/2023 07:44

They should be. I am a fan of vinted and my general rule is never spend more than £10 on an item and then it won’t piss me off if it’s rubbish. I have bought lots of good stuff so I’d be willing to take the hit. It’s a soft form of gambling really.

chucklevisions · 12/09/2023 07:45

YANBU. I’ve stopped using it as the last two items I bought were very obviously stained and unwearable. The first seller just refunded but I had to return the second item and lost out on postage costs.

OhHolyJesus · 12/09/2023 07:45

I love Vinted! I've had some clothes that don't fit but on the whole some of my best outfits come from Vinted and I've recycled so much of my own clothes.

I just got my Christmas party dress.

Dancesaideveryone · 12/09/2023 07:50

Same experience for me. New to Vinted and got over excited at the 'bargains' and ordered four items from four separate sellers. All four were described as excellent condition but were, in fact, threadbare rags you wouldn't buy in a charity shop.

Lesson learnt and never again.

Zero help or support. One seller said the Boden skirt had only been worn twice. Just brazen lies.

RunnyPaint · 12/09/2023 07:51

If you want a specific material, only buy items that have pictures of the relevant labels. Perhaps some sellers simply don't understand that "silk", "suede", "leather", "linen", etc., are specific terms about what the item is made of, rather than simple adjectives describing a general feel or look. Some sellers are just trying it on. There is a lot of crap to wade through!

happyharpy78 · 12/09/2023 07:55

I've bought and sold loads on Vinted. Some fantastic bargains but also some duds. Though it's annoying when sellers take the piss (and I agree, it's happening more often recently - maybe due to the ad campaign?), I try and take the view that overall I am winning.
I will always scrutinise the photos, ask for more if needed, and read the seller reviews. And never go above £10 as a previous poster said!

Curseofthenation · 12/09/2023 08:02

The only thing that annoys me about Vinted is that everything has 'only been worn once'.

I've always had good experiences though. I find it particularly good for baby/toddler clothes and shoes.

hdbs17 · 12/09/2023 08:19

I'm very particular in what I buy from there and generally, won't buy anything unless it is a brand name so I can research it a bit.

My most recent bag purchase was a Jasper Conran bag for £5 for example. They're not something that's faked and easily bought so it seems feasible for someone to be selling it cheap, rarely used.

My latest bargain is a kids Ralph Lauren coat for £5.50 - it had been listed for a couple of minutes when I found it so snapped it up. It may be fake, but because the seller listed the brand, if it does turn out fake then I can report it.

I also never buy anything that's an amount I'd be annoyed at losing.

Boymum2104 · 12/09/2023 08:31

Love Vinted for 2nd hand clothes for myself & my son! I tend to stick to buying clothes I already know how they fit & quality eg I know what H&M sizes are like and what the quality is like etc so I know what I'm expecting. I don't think I would buy high end or more expensive items on there or brands/ shops I have not bought from previously

BarbaraofSeville · 12/09/2023 08:32

Perhaps some sellers simply don't understand that "silk", "suede", "leather", "linen", etc., are specific terms about what the item is made of

Oh, come on. No-one is that stupid.

I'm surprised that the buyer loses out if the item is not as described though. I've only sold things so far, but one of my buyers complained that the trousers I'd sold her were too short and when I looked at the listing, I'd said they were long, but wasn't sure if they were (I'm a regular or long length depending on actual length). Because I wasn't 100% if it was my mistake or she was trying it on, and I assumed that I'd have to pay for return postage, I refunded the buyer and told her to keep the trousers and sell/donate herself because it seemed fairer and I CBA arguing over a few quid.

OP, can you report the item as 'significantly not as described' and seek a refund without having to return so at least you don't have to pay return postage? It seems off that you won't get your initial postage back though. I would have thought that was up to the buyer or Vinted to pay?

Although I admit that I have no idea what the costs to the buyer are. If I list an item and charge £5, I get £5, but someone must be paying for postage and Vinted costs and profit. So how much would a £5 item actually cost the buyer?

Jk987 · 12/09/2023 08:35

I hate it when people price items that end up costing more than buying new when fee + postage are factored in!

Danceswithweasels · 12/09/2023 08:37

I am a Vinted Newbie and bought a few things last month. I found it a bit hit and miss, especially Vinted's pushing of sellers to use Evri. Timberland walking boots, new - £20 (cost £150) fab, delivered in 2 days via RM, ditto lambswool jumper.
Fossil bag took 3 weeks to arrive via Evri then was much more "used" than described and a Orla Kiely blind that disappeared into the Evri black hole and 6 weeks later I have just got a refund for as Vinted insisted it was "on its way" even though the tracking said it had never left the initial depot.

Doggymummar · 12/09/2023 08:38

I had some trousers delivered yesterday bnwt and they reeked of damp. Hung them on the lune all day and Febreezed them hopefully they will be ok. They should have been marked vintage as I actually owned the exact same pair about 15 yrs ago. Brand new doesn't mean what it used to seemingly. Also bought a cropped jumper that was actually supposed to a full size jumper but appears to have been boil washed 😞

Abra1t · 12/09/2023 08:40

I have bought quite a lot and never had a problem with fakes. The only issue has been one L K Bennett dress that should have been cleaned first as it smelled of BO. But a wash sorted that.

I always buy party and special-event dresses on Vinted.

HangingOver · 12/09/2023 08:40

I've got loads of wonderful things from vinted but was surprised at first how many people dont send the item! I'd say about 1 in 5 of my purchases don't come and get refunded.

NewSw19 · 12/09/2023 08:41

When this happened to me I got a full refund plus the buyer protection - meaning I was only loosing 1 way of postage -

Have you tried the SNAD option to vinted? They normally step in and refund you the full amount and you keep the item

But I agree; it has got worse over the past few months. I've been selling & buying for 2 years and have only had problems in the past 3 months or so

BlackJumpsuit · 12/09/2023 08:43

RunnyPaint · 12/09/2023 07:51

If you want a specific material, only buy items that have pictures of the relevant labels. Perhaps some sellers simply don't understand that "silk", "suede", "leather", "linen", etc., are specific terms about what the item is made of, rather than simple adjectives describing a general feel or look. Some sellers are just trying it on. There is a lot of crap to wade through!

I bought a jacket that claimed to be suede, photos were not good enough to show that it was actually cotton velvet 😂
Seller didn't seem to know the difference 🤷🏻‍♀️

Lennon80 · 12/09/2023 08:47

Agree - I’ve bought stuff described as new and it’s shabby and dreadful only good for the bin but you can’t get an instant refund like eBay. They take a protection fee but no protection like eBay. You also have to pay postage costs to return broken items etc.

tootiredtobeinspired · 12/09/2023 08:48

I agree with the PP that said sellers are listing things incorrectly. I searched for a silk shirt the other day (as in proper silk, not silk feel) and the number of Primark silk shirts was remarkable! Who knew Primark sold actual silk items? You have to be super careful and scrutinise the ad really well. I also just accept that some of it will be crap and include it in my cost. I do love Vinted though and have had some amazing bargains from there.