AIBU to think Vinted buyers are unfairly penalised for misdescribed items?

[HailRocky]

I’m on a tight budget and trying to get new summer clothes for myself and my children. Thought I’d try Vinted and I’ve ended up just losing money I couldn’t afford.

Most recent was shorts for my son, listed as age 10, when they arrived they were age 6 (had label that wasn’t pictured) I contacted her and got an oops sorry send them back and I’ll refund, but it will cost me nearly £3 to return. I said would she cover return shipping and got a laughing face response. How can buyers have to pay for the return when it is materially not as described.

Of three items received today not a single one is suitable and I’ve spent £21 and don’t have anything usable. One item is in very poor condition, has stains and rips. I’ve ticked not as described but guess I’ll have to pay the return. She hasn’t replied yet. The third item just doesn’t fit, right size label but comes up very small so not sellers fault but no use to me.

How can buyers be so penalised for buying in good faith and not getting what was advertised?

That’s why I don’t use Vinted. I stick to new clothes or Ebay.

You pay a bit more on average but you can return ebay items if they are not as described. I’m more a seller than a buyer though and quite understand that buyers sometimes need to return stuff. Its happened a couple of times.

That is rubbish. I tend to only buy things with labels in the photos as I’ve had this before. I also but brands I know the sizing of x

I don’t buy unless there’s a clear photo of the label, plus ideally measurements. I also tend to buy brands that I know and that I know how they tend to fit me. The odd item that hasn’t fitted my shape how I’d like, I resell to recoup what I can. It is a bit shit that you have to pay for the return if the seller doesn’t agree to pay for it, but you can give them a 1 star review and explain about their shitty communication as well.

It is frustrating and I’ve had it happen to me several times as well.

I agree with the other responses here - whilst it doesn’t help now, only buy things where there is a clear label showing. Or ask questions to clarify before buying.

When I sell old bits on Vinted I always add lots of photos including the labels and care labels. I like to see lots of photos when I’m buying something so I try and do the same when I’m the seller too.

But the standards on Vinted have really dropped, especially with kids clothes. Too often I’ve received things with stains, smells or rips that weren’t pictured or advertised. Stuff fit for the bin!

I always make an offer to the buyer that covers the cost of return postage or thereabouts. And I check out the hole of the seller’s wardrobe when I make a purchase you can often get a sense of what kind of seller they are.

Always check the label (or ask for a picture of it) especially with their new ridiculous sizing categories.

I have been generally lucky on vinted but I have had issues with items I’ve bought having stains or rips on them. I think it’s so unfair you have to pay to return it. It boggles my mind.

I’d resell the shorts that are too small to try to get your money back, rather than pay for the return p&p.
I’ve had two things I bought turn up this week that I didn’t like. Luckily, I’ve managed to sell them both for more than I originally paid for them.

It’s unlikely anyone will pay for the return p&p. I’ve asked before and been ignored. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people on Vinted who have no shame when it comes to selling things. You can’t leave them negative feedback if you return an item, either, as it shows as a “cancelled transaction”.

Yeah, eBay is generally better for buyers than Vinted, as you have more protection and can return things not as described. I guess that Vinted is better for sellers.

Make sure that you leave bad feedback

Yeah I deliberately didn’t send an item back just so I could leave stinking feedback for someone

Annoyingly you can’t leave feedback as the return cancels the order. I also had a seller who left it the whole 7 days to post, then cancelled saying she couldn’t be bothered to go to the post office until she had a whole bundle of stuff to take but nothing else has sold. I couldn’t leave her feedback as it was cancelled. From date of payment to getting my refund was 12 days!

Yes you have to have honest sellers. I’ve held up my hands twice and given a refund in full when something I didn’t notice was pointed out upon receipt. Thankfully when my items arrive damaged I’ve also had full refunds. Always check the reviews!

Generally when something doesn’t fit or suit I just resell it.

Also you need to be more discerning. There should be a photo of the size and material label. You can also request measurement photos which I’m always happy to send.

Try shein and Temu..better products, better service