A vent about Vinted ! And what would improve it…

[Notcontent]

As a long-time buyer of second hand clothes (but from charity shops) I decided to give Vinted a go. So over the last 6 weeks or so I have bought quite a few things for myself and for teen dd. Have also spent too many hours browsing. I therefore think I have quite a good snapshot and experience of it.

it’s been very mixed. Some lovely sellers whose items have matched the description. But you do have to be very careful. Biggest issue is that many sellers misdescribe the condition of the item. “New without tags” usually means that the item has been worn but still looks good. “Very good” is completely meaningless - I have had a jumper that was shrunk and a top crusted with deodorant.

this can’t be just my experience so I was a bit puzzled initially why all sellers have 5 star reviews. The only time people seem to get negative reviews is if they failed to send the item. But now I understand why - because if a buyer does not leave feedback, the seller automatically gets a five star rating. I did actually consider leaving a bad review for a couple of sellers - but I was concerned about retaliation or being blocked from the site. Surely a better system would be to only award ratings based on actual positive feedback…

anyway, rant over. I will keep using Vinted but have learned the hard way to be very careful.

You can change your delivery options in your seller account. Eg I deleted ‘Inpost’ as the lockers near me never have a free one to drop off in

It's the interface which drives me mad, I don't like having to wade through millions of items if I am trying to find something specific.
Having send that, I did track down a coat that I spotted someone wearing that I liked, and I knew the (small) brand so that was fairly easy.
When coat arrived it was definitely very well worn and I think I paid about £60 for it, so it wasn't cheap and didn't feel like good value considering how worn it was.

I think the same is happening on eBay though, I bought a dress 'only worn once' as I have the same dress but in a smaller size and it's a bit too tight so I know what the fabric feels like - 'my dress' has been worn/washed a few times and is in much better condition than the 'only worn once' one - which even has holes in it, and they look like wear holes not damage if that makes sense.
Maybe the cost of living is making everyone a bit more desperate?

‘New without tags’ is bollocks. How many items does anyone have lying around that are new without tags? I would cut the tag off something only when I was about to wear it.
Having said that, I’ve had some pleasant surprises, with things listed as ‘good’ or very good’ clearly being completely unworn - usually vintage things.

I don't use Inpost as the lockers near me are never free. Thankfully the first time I sold the buyer was very understanding (I eventually had to send it from the town I work in). Never had an issue with Evri although I need to walk into the next Village as our village one rarely works.

I don't understand this paying to return the wrongly received package. Do you need to do this if you want a refund for the item you actually received? Is there any comeuppance if I didn't return something (thinking along the lines of buying something for £1, receiving something of similar value - it wouldn't be worth paying to return to finally receive the £1 item).

I've had very poor experiences with ebay, issues such as the lining of a jacket and matching skirt somehow being ripped to shreads in the packaging, whilst in transit (I kid you not and trying to get the money back was a nightmare) and with Vinted,to date, only the one disappointing purchase, where it was grubby and had a tiny hole, but the price of the item was so good and the quality of the item new well beyond my pocket, that I washed / repaired and it is as good as new. I only search by brand, so I know the cut / fit and look at the other items the seller has - multiple sizes and styles raise flags with me - so these sellers I avoid. The gems I have bought more than make up for the one disappointing sale.

I have been searching for specific items and have been disappointed by the lack of information sellers give. I have contacted several sellers with basic questions such as "is there a belt?" (impossible to tell from the listing or the photos).
And "please can you take a picture that actually shows the item clearly" (rather than a picture with some part of the item cropped out).
And my favourite so far "what material is the trench coat made of please?" to which the response was....."well, trench coat material..."
Back to real-life shopping for me!

Several sellers have also directed me to the manufacturer's websites for basic information, not much help when the items listed are years old and wouldn't still be available to purchase!

I'm quite new to buying on Vinted but purchased three items this week. Two were genuinely new with tags and so pleased with them.

Third item straight to recycling as unwashed, stained and with two holes. I didn't bother with a refund as it cost £2.80 but will be more careful in future.

I have only had positive experiences with buying and selling but I have had a few ‘near misses’

recently, nice Uniqlo vest top listed as new without tags. I noticed in the picture it had a spot mark on it. I messaged the seller to ask if this was an actual mark . the reply was it’s a mark, the item has only been worn a few times. So I replied to say you probably should change your listing then as the item is not new without tags (more like worn with a stain on?!)
I’m a lot quicker to enquire now as I realise that pretty much you have no chance of a refund. Even if you do, you cover the cost of the postage back which can be as much if not more than the item.

Its just the same old rubbish you get in charity shops or on ebay.

Not where I'm at, charity shops are too expensive for condition of items they sell. Handed loads of kids clothes in. Few weeks later saw them on the rail for almost same price I bought them at. Rarely buy from charities anymore as prices over inflated to cover shop costs and pay wages. Car boot sales work better for me to get rid of items and have a laugh at same time. But I use Vinted and only had a few items not as described, and not enough to put me off it......yet.

My experience of Vinted has been entirely positive. I bought a pair of boots this week (never worn, only tried on) and the whole transaction was a dream. So far it’s been better than ebay for me.

👋🏻 honest vinted seller here. I’ve sold clothing, handbags and mainly beauty items.

As a seller I take pics of any defects and accurately describe and categorise items. When I first started I was shocked at the amount of questions asking if the beauty items were new (it specifically states when adding an item it can only be new beauty items, unused). I then started taking pics of the hygienic seals.

vinted tells you to post in 2 days and if you don’t they chase you up. I always keep buyers updated as sometimes the lockers are all gone. With feedback, always leave it as like you say an auto feedback of 5 stars is added. If you leave negative feedback, the seller can also add a comment. I’ve had to do this on bedding as was given less stars for it being used, the listing literally said used once and washed lol. She then changed the feedback.

people can block you from seeing their items but if you had a bad experience you won’t want to deal again anyway.

I’ve had some items go missing, AirPods, clothing etc but the vinted insurance paid out with no issues.

now as a buyer, Ive not been impressed. Bought clothes advertised as one size but label cut off and clearly a different size, weird. Bought a storage box for makeup it arrived dirty, dusty and damaged so I claimed on vinted and got my money back for that. Yeah not really keen on buying.

I’m one of these weird people that cut tags off before hanging up then never wearing. I can think of at least 10 things in my wardrobe new without tags. But I’m a shopaholic ☺️

Does anyone know about scams on Vinted? For the second time I have bought something and the seller has given a tracking number which isn’t authentic. One was a photo of a parcel which didn’t show any address. Later realised that neither had any feedback. Am wondering what is going on. It’s obviously a scam but sellers don’t get paid until the buyer has said ‘everything ok’?

I have had really good experiences. A handful of of things weren't good for me but I either didn't read carefully or it just happened to not fit due to brand sizes being all over the place.

I have not had dirty stuff or stuff described inaccurately.

That said, I don't filter for brand new with tags and I rarely filter for coveted brands. I just look for "navy blue raincoat" or whatever then pick what looks good.

I have had that scam a lot recently and have stopped looking at anything that has no reviews. If they look too good to be true - probably are.

But I have bought some bargain expensive stuff as well. Now I never buy anything with a seller without reviews

The thing that really annoys me is people who delay picking up their items for days and days.
Someone bought a lovely max mara jacket from me last week. I posted it quickly and it’s been at the pick up point for almost a week! I believe it’s bad form to message the buyer to remind them?
it does annoy me . Not only do I have to wait for ever for payment, but there were a few other people interested the jacket too. At this rate it will be sent back to me!
The other thing is people who make offers. I accept and then hear nothing. Don’t really understand why people do that.

I had a seller recently tell me I'd got a bargain when I said there were holes in the item. She said second hand means things won't be perfect. She then went all arsey telling me I needed to read the terms and conditions of returns and how I'd have to pay if I really wanted to return the item. She was so condescending.

Generally I've had lots of good experiences. There are some great sellers on there.

Buyers are annoying when they take days and days to collect an item and then it ends up being sent back.

I am absolutely done with Vinted and it's my own fault 😢
I had 125, 5 star reviews, was a good seller and regular buyer so made Vinted money but I sold a bag that I bought from a charity shop. I didn't believe the bag was genuine so said so in the listing and they've banned me for good.
Totally my own fault as I've soon discovered but I was being honest and genuine AND it was a lovely, reasonably priced item!
Anyway I can no longer buy and I'm gutted.
It was the only way that I could get 'new' clothes but no more.

The thing is I've been scammed on Vinted. I bought what I thought were a pair of Birkenstock sandals but got sent a car lightbulb of all things. On that occasion I did get my money back.

Not sure why I'm posting, as I said it's my own fault. I tried to argue my point but I think I was talking to a bot!

My DH set up an account for me but it was also blocked before there was any chance to purchase a thing ( they must check the IP too!).

Anyway enjoy your Vinted shopping folks. Not sure where to look in future apart from the usual charity shops but oh how I miss Vinted! 😢

I sell a lot on there, and have done very well and have amazing feedback. Buying has been a mixed bag. Sometimes I’ve had amazing bargains and the sellers are wonderful. But I’ve had a few occasions recently where someone simply hasn’t sent the item even though we’ve messaged about it. It makes no sense. They stop responding to messages and I’m forced to wait the allotted time to get a refund and then they get automatic bad feedback. I have no idea what they’re playing at. It makes no sense.

Don't know if this has been mentioned, as the thread is not pretty old, but the options about the condition of items isn't good enough.

For example, 'very good' means pretty okay but with small signs of wear.

So someone who wants to sell anything worn once and perfect, has to chose either 'New' or 'with signs of wear'.

The other issue is that not all brands are listed in the drop down menu.
The sizing options aren't always accurate - ie a size small can be an 8-10, not just an 8.

They do need to do some work on the options.

You'll be able to set up another account. Use a new email address on your phone (no ip) or register it using public/someone else's wifi

I tried to use Vinted for the first time recently. I was looking for a specific item ( a Shibumi coat ). They are the sort of thing people buy to wear once for an occasion. I found one , made an offer which was turned down so offered full price . Then paid for it . The item never arrived. It’s been weeks . When I chased the seller they said that they’d had difficulty posting it but would do so I was nice and understanding. In due course it didn’t arrive . Vinted cancelled the deal . My money is coming back but I’ve bought the matching items and now don’t have the coat . I won’t use it again.

This is the thing which mystifies me. What is the point of selling an item they probably don’t have as they won’t be paid until the buyer ok’s it?

some of these scams aren’t alway obvious to start with though are they.