Vinted as a buyer is shit?

[Strawberryfieldsforeverrr]

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?

I've just started selling through it, and finding their suggested prices disappointing. Brand new high Street brand dresses suggested price £3.
When I look for things to buy its not that cheap!
I'm listing for what I think is a fair price (e.g. £8-12 for a brand new with tags dress that originally cost £35+) and things are selling, but slowly.

I've only bought kids clothes so far, but mostly all good.

If this was your first purchase I'd give it another go, but apply the principle of 'if it seems too good to be true it probably is'

I buy quite a bit from vinted, my main bugbear is sellers not bothering to post even though you can see they've been online, and not sending a message to say they're not going to be able to before it times out. Happened 3 times in a row trying to buy my eldest a nice polo shirt (finally managed to get one)

But I've had so many bargains, both mine and OHs winter coats are from there, almost new shoes for the kids for under a fiver. Just got my youngest a BNIB Robbie bot robot for £10 less than retail and planning to try and do at least 50% vinted this Christmas as so much can be found new/lightly used but still in a box

I simply cannot reiterate enough how many illegal counterfeits are listed on there daily.

Yes and trackable postage too as otherwise they can claim the never received it or it could go walkies.

It's a gamble each time. I've had some bargains and lovely sellers and also had some dodgy ones too. One was all sweetness and life until her parcel turned up and there was a massive problem only she could have done and then she switched to awful. Vinted would only get involved d if I returned despite her openly staying she'd say I'd done it.

But the buyer chooses the postage method. As sellers, we have to use the service that the buyer has chosen.

And sod's law dictates that if you sell two items on one day, one buyer will choose Evri, the other InPost. This happened to me three times in a row in a week. So I had to take one parcel to the locker at one end of the village and the other to the Off Licence at the other end.

I've had lots of success on Vinted, but maybe I've just been lucky. I tend to stick to specific brands, so I know what fabric it will be etc.

I've been delighted with most of my Vinted purchases. Had a couple of things that don't fit (obviously not the sellers fault) or not quite as described, but the good has far outweighed the bad. Recently I got a virtually new House of Bruar velvet jacket for about £25 including postage - they retail at £200 plus. I did most of my 'winter' shopping back in the summer, so got some fab wool coats at bargain prices. Also some amazing leather handbags and winter boots.

I've found most sellers are honest and very efficient. I do check reviews though. I've bought a few things that haven't been sent, but have never had a problem with the refund coming into my account. So overall I'm really pleased with Vinted.

@BarbaraofSeville
FYI you can drop Evri parcels off at the lockers too!

You’d be right!

Touch the wood but works fine for me. Mainly buying clothes for me and my kids. Stuff listed as used but looks like brand new for fraction of retail price.

I've had predominantly positive experiences with Vinted, as a buyer and as a seller. As a buyer, I have had a jumper get lost in the post once (Evri), but that was refunded quite quickly. I've also had a book arrive which had been sold as new but was clearly quite worn. I got a refund for that too. And I had an item arrive broken, which was sorted out by Vinted refunding me. I actually felt really bad for the seller though so ended up transferring them the money direct as I could see it was something that had happened in transit, and whilst they could have packaged it a little more carefully, it wasn't like they hadn't tried.

Other than that, I've got some really good bargains. I got a lovely DKNY cross body bag for £15, for example, and a seraphine winter coat for not much at all, as well as bundles of baby clothes. It's important to look really closely at photos and reviews, and to stick to to brands you know if you're worried. I also always wash everything when it arrives.

Selling has been fine, I've managed to shift a load of stuff that was just cluttering the place up, and other people have got things they want at a good price. You do get people offering cheeky low offers but in my experience that's more a negotiation tactic than anything else.

I love it but there’s not much a buyer can do if the item doesn’t arrive or isn’t as described. I don’t spend more than £10, usually including postage and I know what I’m looking for. I wouldn't go for anything that might be a fake so I go for quality brands that aren’t very popular.

I only buy expensive things if I can see the label, the number of people listing polyester as silk is unreal. That said I bought a dress that I just liked the style and colour of for £3.50 expecting polyester only to find that it was 100% silk!

@BarbaraofSeville this is why I have InPost only enabled and all other courier options switched off. I'm not going to make multiple trips to different drop off points and would rather post all in one at the lockers.

Same. Other than an issue with InPost which was on InPost, not the sellers (who let me know straightaway), it has been great, mainly buying baby and kids stuff. Able to get a gently used, but looks new, newborn seat for our Tripp Trapp with an extra cover and toy bar for under £40. Cheaper than what I saw on EBay and Facebook Marketplace. Also was able to get a bundle of sleeping gowns with the ties at the bottom for £7 when one is priced for £15+ online.

I buy loads on vinted, and generally I think I’ve done quite well. If you try and remember to click on a buyers profile before buying, you’ll get a feel for if they are the real deal or not. Claire Seal (myfrugalyear on IG) was chatting about this recently, as she’d inadvertently purchased a fake baby carrier. Sorry you were stung by it!

All ive ever bought off there was childrens clothes and coats and they have always been pretty decent. but you really have to inspect the items and ask about them too

I've recently joined, but think i am missing something.

Can you not see postage cost until after you commit to buy?

I sell a lot and buy a few bits - I think it's got very popular and that's causing some of these problems.

I never buy expensive items - I usually have a £10 limit, only buy from buyers with several sales and 5* reviews, and never buy if it's a photo from a website rather than a photo of the item.

I also think that if you search new with tags, you get sellers who seem to have a lot of new with tags, so maybe some people are using it to sell shoplifted goods

That didn't occur to me! I've a few bits listed, some brand new with tags as bought them and then I didn't get a chance to wear them (lockdown, not suitable for the season, not the right occasion) and now I'm losing weight those clothes are just far too big on me so I thought I'd try to recoup some of the money! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Bought some absolutely cracking stuff but I only search for diesel, moncler and Fred Perry so I don't have much scope for the other stuff!

Just started selling - sold 2 Louis Vuitton bags for £490 and another £145 so far on clothes!

I have had mostly good experiences buying and selling. I have learned to

A) ask the seller to see the fabric label and ask for measurements (even for brands where I'm familiar with the sizing - it can still sometimes surprise me).

B) tend not to risk spending much on items unless it's something incredible but unlikely to be a fake, and something I think I could easily sell on if it doesn't fit.

C) if I want a silk item I filter for silk, then I often search for "100%". That tends to get rid of the Primark fake silk. Ditto leather and wool.

D) always read seller reviews.

I've got some bargains - esp baby shoes, a few Merino jumpers, a Cashmere dress and incredible designer jumpsuit. I have also received things that don't fit which I've sold on, had things not arrive (been refunded) and had a few damaged items. Mostly the seller hasn't wanted the damaged item back and just refunded me.

You will get a full refund for returning your items, you only have to pay return postage and you can choose the carrier.

It comes up with postage options when you click buy now but you need to click to confirm transaction so you’re not committed at that point.

I absolutely love Vinted. I buy and sell regularly so I have really great feedback which seems to then attract other buyers in turn. I’m careful about who I buy from and I’ve only had a couple of issues which were easily resolved.

Thank you!!!