Vinted Users - Could this be a scam?

[GreggsistentialCrisis]

Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some advice from Vinted sellers.

I’ve just sold an expensive item, but I’ve noticed the buyer is a brand new account with no reviews. I know everyone has to start somewhere, so I don’t necessarily want to assume anything sinister but because it’s an expensive item, I’m feeling a bit nervous.

Is it unusual/suspicious for someone’s first purchase to be an expensive item?
particularly when they have no reviews or previous activity?

I’m aware of the potential issues where a buyer claims they didn’t receive the parcel, that the item arrived damaged, or that it wasn’t as described and then getting a refund leaving me without the item and them still with the money.

Would you personally send the item, or would you cancel the sale because of the combination of a new account with no reviews and high-value purchase?
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced?

Also I had a buyer mess me around and offering ridiculously low amounts constantly that I kept declining and now there’s a new account popped up who has just bought it outright for the full amount? Am I being paranoid?

To be honest I’d rather take the hit on reviews than lose the dress to a scammer!

Is there a way to block people with no reviews from buying your items? - Thinking about the future…

I dont think you can stop new users from buying.

I would absolutely not be sending it. Just cancel the sale immediately.

I also wouldn't be using vinted for expensive stuff. Its good for small low value sales but Ebay is better for expensive items.

If I'm wary I change my postage options to only deliver to collection points so at least there's less chance of them claiming not to receive.

Other than that, if they're paying correctly through Vinted rather than offering to pay you outside the system etc. then I think you're protected as much as possible.

Obviously someone could take scissors to an item and claim it arrived like that so I never sell anything high value on there.

I would be cancelling the sale. I sell tons on Vinted- as in about 1500 items feedback- and I don't sell any electronics or designer items. Ebay only even if it's slower.

I've just sold a saddle on there for £450 and I was so anxious about it, thankfully it all went through ok but I wouldn't do it again

Thank you I just cancelled. eBay doesnt seem to have much foot fall anymore for clothes anymore, but I will need to give them another try thanks for your help!

I’m probably gonna get a bad review now though, but I’d rather have that than someone have my dress for free!

Forgot to add - yes you can block anyone.

Click on their name to go to their profile. Click the three dots for option to block

Thank you!

I think you made the right choice.
Vinted is mostly AI customer support, it is hard to get through to a human. They changed what they used to call buyer protection, and now it's just called a platform fee.
I don't think sellers ever had that much protection, it is heavily tilted to buyers.

100% do not send the item.

I don't even think about it anymore, anyone with zero feedback gets their sale cancelled and blocked.

I doubt you'll get a bad review, they will just assume the item is no longer available.

I dont think you can get a bad review if the sale doesn't happen.

i had a buyer recently who negotiated me down by about 20% (it was only up for £12!) and then asked to buy in the morning ( this was at about 11pm at night) .. i said sure, but obv didnl' reserve or anything

When I woke up someone else had purchased at the full price and later that morning I got a very angry message saying she was going to leave a bad review !:). she never did and now I understand why - if you can't leave a review without a sale .

I was glad that someone else bought it though - I'm sure she'd have been a nightmare

I would have done the same.

Cancel! Id never sell anything expensive on vinted, they always always side with the buyer.
They can easily claim you have sent something else instead, people have even been using ai to make items look damaged

Vinted is a shit show. Full of scammers, low ballers and dodgy listings. EBay is better for expensive items imo.