Having tried Vinted, I am sticking to charity shops!

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I have been a second hand shopper since my teens (so three decades). I always stuck to buying in charity shops so I could try on or at least check for condition. But recently decided to try Vinted and got quite excited about the prospect of being able to find things that I actually need, as in a charity shop it’s a bit more pot luck. But I am now banning myself from looking on Vinted! Maybe I am just unlucky. Here is what happened:

• new jumper, suspiciously cheap - arrives and has tag but clearly worn, and too small for me (£8 wasted)
• sweatshirt I ordered does not arrive as seller sent me the wrong item by mistake - to be resolved
• jumper I bought for my dd - £27 including postage - was meant to be excellent condition - clearly slightly shrunken so only just fits DD even though size bigger than she wears - I don’t think there is anything I can do as seller provided measurements but it’s just not in the condition I expected

Lesson learned but I am quite annoyed at myself. I think the problem is that some sellers are quite loose in their assessment of what is very good condition.

That's soo annoying ! Oxfam online is quite good .. just got Dd a Vivienne Westwood shirt and it's lovely .. I just keep an eye out for the names I know she likes

I have bought DH and myself clothes off Vinted no problem. I've bought known labels though.
Also got DD bargain Converses and.numerous books that cost alot more even including P&P

@op But you can return all these things to the seller, that's why seller does not get paid until you say you are happy with your purchase. I return things from vinted all the time.

Or just relist them and sell on Vinted again. That’s what I do. If it’s accurate to description but doesn’t fit quite right etc. I just sell on.
i do hate the way Vinted do postage though. I don’t have a printer and the nearest place that will print labels is 30 minutes drive away.
I wish I could just take to the post office.

Hmm… maybe there are some lessons there and I will try again in the future. I think I also need to ask more questions!

I think Vinted is good for people switching from normal shopping to 2nd hand.

However its not that good for people used to 2nd hand shops. Its more hassle, its more unreliable and its more expensive ime. (I have also been a charity shop shopper all my life)

@Fluffawuffla you can turn off all postage options (except UPS) and just have Royal Mail. I have that as an option and do the free collections where they bring the printed label.

I've only had good experiences with Vinted so far (touch wood), both buying and selling. I look at the photos very closely and only buy if the photos are good quality and there are enough of them.

I've previously had good items from vinted but just recently I've had items come through damaged (but in the seams or folds so you don't notice at first and it's too late by then), listed as the wrong size but would have cost me more to return so not worth it, and just plain stinky! The returns process annoys me as it's not my fault as the buyer, but I have to stump up for the refund cost. Totally lost the love for vinted!

I've been really lucky mostly and had some great buys. I also sell a lot but only stuff that's hardly worn as I don't want the hassle of it being returned.

@doubleshotcappuccino watch out on Oxfam as I realised that the condition is often decided by the shop volunteers who then post it out, it's not a central operation for much of the stock. So, basically, different website, same problems, I've given up on Oxfam after two disappointments over three purchases.

Ive bought 3 things.

1 A coat. What arrived was a fake with a hole and a few rips, which stank. I should have realised but wasn’t wearing my glasses when I placed the order. I was really annoyed as I felt as though I paid more than the vendor when she bought it new. I complained with photos and the vendor cancelled the transaction. There was no way of returning the item so I contacted vinted and they said I could decide what to do with it so I washed it as it was filthy and dd wore it about 3 times.

2 A brand new dress with tags. Good seller.

3 A coat listed as brand new. I’d bought the same coat in the sale a few years before, wanted a replacement and it was discontinued. RRP £180, I paid about £75 in the sale. The vendor wanted £95 and I paid willingly. It arrived clearly having been worn extensively and washed (waterproof coat). I took photos, complained and returned. I paid the return postage, I believe.

It has left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth tbh.

Sounds unlucky. Did the sellers have good feedback?

I've done well on Vinted, everything as described and where stuff was disappointing was me choosing a style/colour not any fault of the seller. It's a great way to find really specific stuff and try out new looks cheaply.

Occasion wear there is tons of barely or unworn stuff, have been wearing some v naice stuff on the weekend for same cost as boring shite from Primark!

I've updated my wardrobe and replaced favourites by spending over £1,000 on Vinted in the last month. 79 items.

One item was incorrect but soon rectified.

6 failed to post with no explanation, quickly refunded.

Some postage was quite delayed.

Around 15 items didn't fit or I just didn't like them so straight to charity.

Overall I'm delighted.

I'm not been blown away by my first purchase from Vinted either. In fairness I know a few friends that use it and have had some great buys. I purchased a beautiful blazer, advertised as new and unworn without tags. It arrived doused in cheap perfume (I could smell it before I'd finished undoing it) and it had a 2" tear down one seam on the front. The returns process was simple so I won't give up on it just yet.

I think people keep the tags and reattach them when they're the tie on sort of ones. I got a jumper from fat face where I think that had been done. But overall it's been pretty positive for me. I sell a bit too but I'm the sort of person who always selects worst case scenario condition because I don't want the stress of any complaints! Lots of people are unfortunately a bit money grabbing.

I buy absolutely loads from vinted and have only had a couple of disappointing items. In my experience I stick to brands I know - I collect converse trainers so have loads from vinted, but I know my size and how they wear if I'm buying pairs that aren't new. I shop around, if it's high street stuff then generally more than one seller will be selling it. And I check the reviews!! I don't buy from a seller with negative reviews and prefer sellers with a lot of reviews - people running it like a business tend to me more efficient and reliable.

I also never spend more than a couple of quid on an item generally - tenner if it's trainers. I wouldn't buy designer stuff because of the likelihood of fakes. Overall I find vinted much better than eBay.

I’ve had some great buys from Vinted. Only one was not in the condition it said it was. I could have sent it back but only a tenner @Fluffawuffla you absolutely can only use Royal Mail as I only choose this option. All in all think it’s been great.

Life-long charity shopper here, too. I know what you are saying about narrowing down to what you actually need. Like in a normal shop. But what I like about charity shops is the thrill of the chase! Finding that one special item. I love TK Maxx for the same reason. Yes, sometimes I’ll get carried away & buy a dud, but I’m a seasoned shopper so it’s rare. I’m more likely to get caught out in the Sales... Dong your own quality checks is essential too. There’s so much good brand new stuff out there now.

I've just tried Vinted over the last couple of weeks. So far, very good. A brand new Chanel type tweed look jacket in black multi-colour with fringing - perfect fit and exactly as described.

Also a lovely Gok Wan for Sainsbury's dress again good condition - a bit tight, but that was to be expected as I'm an ambitious size 14 really!!!! (I already had the matching jacket so knew the fabric quality).

Expecting an order for a grey parka - I know it's got a rip on the pocket but appears genuine DVF for £10, so we shall see.

I was in town yesterday looking at new clothes, and there's no doubt prices have increased, so it's a brilliant way of expanding my wardrobe at good prices.

I also use Oxfam successfully - and have bought some real one-off and designer pieces from there. My best buys a Gucci scarf and an Alexander McQueen men's cardigan.

I love the fact that you end up with an eclectic and individual look from secondhand clothes.

But don’t you have to pay postage to return the items?

My dd has tried three times to buy from Vinted and all have fallen through. One said it was posted but never turned up, one said it had already sold to someone else even though it was still there for her to think she bought it. Money was refunded each time but I’m not impressed. Maybe she’s just been very unlucky.

It's a bit hit and miss, but so are charity shops, especially the ones that never reinstalled their changing rooms after Covid. Our local charity shops have been so dire recently, selling mostly old, worn-out tat for stupid prices (the worst I've seen was a forest green Jigsaw jumper with clear signs of wear and tear for £30). So I mostly shop on Vinted now. My "success rate" is about 3 items out of 5.

I've found it mostly good. Some, few items (out of over 100) sent with holes, one went in the bin.

I wouldn't risk knitwear, anything non acrylic or expensive as you can find they're being sold as the seller has shrunk them in the wash. Same from eBay though.

I find they post more quickly than eBay as they don't get the money until item marked received. Though you do get people who don't post at all, and have several reviews saying similar, so why they're not banned I don't know.

I love it! I’ve got some real bargains and had no issues whatsoever. It hasn’t happened to me but I’m not sure what the massive issue is if something turned up unwashed, no it’s not ideal but just wash it!