Vinted - where am I going wrong?

[StuckInARut40]

I keep reading about people finding great bargains on Vinted, to the point where they don’t buy from ‘normal’ shops any more. I’ve been on a few times and searched for particular brands, but everything that comes up seems to be really highly priced for something second hand. Items that are brand new (with or without tags) are only a few pounds less than buying new, and that’s without the ability to return if they don’t fit/suit! And those that are good prices don’t look as if they are in great condition. Where am I going wrong with my searches as I can’t find any of these amazing bargains people talk about?!

Same!

Everyone knows about it now, whereas before it was a bit more niche.
I'll forever love vinted for the £12 pure cashmere coat NWT I bought .

I find the same. Vinted for me is a shocking mess of dirty second hand rubbish at admittedly very low prices. The sellers lie about the condition and most don’t accept returns (or find a way not to).

I’ve had more luck with finding the niche vintage brands I like on Ebay but things have been pretty rubbish there for the past year or so. Last dress I bought (last season Toast) was sold as new with tags but turned up stinking of sweat and very, very used with the tags put back on.. Seller said she bought it from Vinted and they described it as new and she hadn’t worn it so it must be new. Absolutely minging. At least ebay returns are easy, unlike Vinted and amazon (having trouble with them atm).

You need to set up really detailed searches (type, brand, colour, condition etc), save them by clicking the bookmark thingy at the right hand side of them and check them a couple of times a day. With patience, lovely stuff will turn up.

It’s hilarious what people expect for second hand clothes on there, with no recognition that once you pay the fees and postage often it would cost more or the same as buying new but without the ability to return if it’s no good.

I also find it weird how offended people get when you make an offer, one woman called me cheeky and then blocked me!? Isn’t that the whole point, if you don’t want to sell for what I’m prepared to pay then just ignore or reject the offer. It’s pathetic.

saying that; have had some amazing bargains but it’s getting more and more infrequent.

I also find it weird how offended people get when you make an offer, one woman called me cheeky and then blocked me!? Isn’t that the whole point, if you don’t want to sell for what I’m prepared to pay then just ignore or reject the offer. It’s pathetic.

Well, I agree that her reaction was extreme, but if you don't want to buy for what she's prepared to accept (as indicated by the listed price), why not just ignore the listing?

I sell a lot on vinted. Most of my clothes are £1-3 as for me it is about getting them out of the house as I'm moving rather than making a lot of money. I send the day it is bought unless it is an item I'm not happy smells fresh enough and then it takes an extra day. Admittedly there is no designer brands and I've only had one complaint. I gave an immediate refund as was a genuine miss.

I'm a recent convert. I really like Fat Face and White Stuff but they've both closed in my town. I go on to Vinted and have found loads of Fat Face and White Stuff clothes for about £3 or £4 per item. Some are brand new with tags, others have been worn but look as good as new.
I'm absolutely thrilled. I have a whole new wardrobe for a fraction of the cost I'd usually pay (seeing as a nice Fat Face top can be around £50 new!). I also love the fact it's sustainable and environmentally friendly.

I think I must have been lucky. I've never had a dodgy item. (Had a few that didn't fit/suit me and I've reVinted them. But never had an issue with a seller.)

Just bought a new with tags White Stuff blouse for £12 and it's beautiful.

My best buy had to be a velvet Boden coat, mint condition for £25. I think it was probably over £100 originally.

I have never risked buying anything expensive on Vinted and I never would. I take the approach that I’ll get suckered once or twice but overall will come out “winning”. This has been successful far

I have sold some nice items of clothing (Ralph Lauren, Joules etc) for rock-bottom prices just because I wanted rid of them and worried that good clothes might end up in landfill otherwise.

Exactly this! I get some right bargains.

SOME people definitely lie about condition which is ridiculous they say new without tags and then the description says worn a few times etc.

I too think it's funny when people are offended by offers. Just decline it's not hard 🤣

I'm a buyer and a seller and I definitely am honest with my listings. Stick with it and study the photos/check feedback!

I wouldn't ever buy from there again. I wanted a specific cardigan that was sold out and wouldn't be restocked. Found it on Vinted that was marked New without tags. It was clearly worn as the persons hair was stuck into it, and it was wet and clearly washed and dried badly. Disgusting really. What was baffling is that the person had like 60 excellent reviews!

I suspect it varies a lot by what you're actually looking for. My 'go to brands are Mint Velvet, Anthropologie, Oliver Bonas, Toast, Next and M&S (the latter two mostly but not only for kids' clothes). I also get all my running/gym clothes from Vinted. I find I can get things a lot cheaper than new and out of dozens of purchases have only ever had two where the item turned up in a bad condition.

PP is absolutely right about being very specific and looking every few days.

Yes some people are insane but they’re not the majority. I’ve had some bargains that I wear regularly. I’m about to upload stuff to sell this weekend and like PP, I just want it out of the house so I’m realistic on pricing and honest about condition.

I sell a lot but don't buy much. From my perspective, people expect absolute rock-bottom prices from Vinted. I had a brand new, with tags on wool jumper from & Other Stories, and I listed it for £15. Even with fees it was less than £20. And people kept offering me £5. I think within an hour I had 20 offers of a fiver.

And always, always check the reviews!

yes

I’ve always bought second hand / vintage. I have to smell / inspect things in-store. Often look for new with tags. Some local charity shops price up the new / posh stuff, which is annoying. And one near me is a posh charity shop, with better stuff which TBF is closer to a consignment store. But some of the prices are silly!

With shoes, you get must be new. Made for a mistake for the first time with some really nice “slightly worn” boots. They look fine, but they smell. Don’t think I’d trust Vinted…

I sell loads on Vinted and buy a fair amount

I dont agree about rock bottom prices- decent brands get the same as eBay but much quicker. Did a trial a few weeks ago- listed 5 items on both eBay and Vinted. No interest on eBay and 4/5 sold on Vinted within 24 hours

Vinted isnt just clothes it has loads of other stuff- I sell lots of Emma Bridgewater as I am reducing over full cupboards.

Only limit on Vinted is parcel size which can be a pain to select the right ones.

I have sold and bought things.

Items I have sold I haven’t overpriced and have accepted lower offers to get rid.

Items I have bought I have been very lucky with and they have been exactly what they have been advertised as.

As others have said you need to filter for condition (I always tick new with tags) and the max price you are prepared to pay (my personal budget is max £10 for clothing £20 for shoes) and select the brands where you are confident with sizing . I have not bought anything from a retailer for nearly 2 years now and have had some amazing bargains. Also sold a lot but at v low prices to make space!

I tend to put my items in favourites . Often get an offer. I did today £5 off so bought it .

I love Reiss and Holland Cooper, some absolute bargains to be had if you look carefully at the pictures

I’m another who’s managed to buy quite a lot. I have a whole pile of favourites that I’m debating.

today I’m waiting for a delivery (which I’m guessing will be tomorrow now) of a cashmere BNWT jumper for £29, it’s Jaeger so pretty good bargain, this is the most expensive thing I’ve bought though.

ive had a couple of other cashmere jumpers around £10-15 each, both were BNWT, a new without tags dress for £10, a shirt with tags still on for £9.

perhaps I just got lucky!

Just to add, be very cautious of knitwear condition descriptions. I've stopped buying any knitwear that isn't brand new with or without tags as my definition of very good condition is drastically different to many sellers, eg there's significant bobbling.

I bought a beautiful Harris Tweed coat that is currently selling for £580 for £80. I was thrilled. Unfortunately there are chancers everywhere.