Is it unreasonable to ask Vinted or Ebay sellers for clothing measurements?

[NedsAtomicWheelieBin]

If I go to a shop I can try something on to see if it fits. If I buy something from a shop online I can buy a size up or down to find out what fits best and can return what doesn't fit. But if I buy something from Vinted or Ebay I want to know the measurements, underarm to underarm and neck to waist/hem. It's all well and good saying it's a 12 or 14 or 16 or a Medium or Large, but that doesn't really mean anything. So if I am interested in buying something I always message the seller asking for the measurements. So few sellers respond. I know this isn't AIBU but am I? Clothes sizes vary so much and I just want to know if something is likely to fit before I buy, especially when most don't accept returns.

It’s still a waste of the seller’s time when there are plenty of people who will buy without asking a thousand questions.

Or they receive it then complain!

Exactly this. And it's always when the item is circa £2

M&S sizes from last year are different from M&S sizes going back 20 years. I certainly don't know exactly when they changed.

Given the item has to be photographed, would it be that hard to measure it at the same time and avoid the extra questions?

After all, even if it's being sold for only £1, that can mean it's costing the buyer closer to £5.

My experience has been that people who need measurements tend to be phenomenal time wasters who don’t purchase.

But surely they're not purchasing because now they know the measurements they know it won't fit? I'm trying to buy a particular item at the moment and so far all of the items that the seller have responded with a size are going to be too big or too small. I don't want to waste my money having to buy 3 or 4 items at £10 each incl postage - I may as well buy new.

I don't automatically list the measurements for everything I sell, but I do for some things and I always will measure something if someone messages and asks or I'll answer questions, even for cheap items. It's still people's time and money.

Exactly that - just buy new if it’s of concern to you. Vinted is a second hand decluttering site and it’s a fact of buying second hand online that the odd item won’t fit.

I don't have measurements on my women's items but do my men's. Not sure why I did that!
If I'm asked though I'll always provide, then add them to the items for future requests. No matter the price of the item.

My items are listed for like £1 each, it takes long enough to actually get photos fill in the listing and then package and post it that I'm not spending extra time for measurements, I'd be better off just putting it in the bin, I'm busy. I don't ask for them either. If something doesn't fit or I don't like it when it arrives just relist it on vinted surely!

I take photos of the items with a tape measure so that people can see from there . But yes do ask.

I usually go by the sizing as indicated by the manufacturer but I'm also aware that sizing can vary from brand to brand. If requested, I will send photos with the tape measure showing across the chest or whatever. It will often definitively decide the sale or not. So not unreasonable to ask in my opinion.

This happened to me. Was pestered (multiple messages) on eBay for measurements. So I sent photos with the tape measure alongside to show. She then wanted to return the item because it didn't suit her!! What am I? An online changing rooms?

Told her to go via eBay and thankfully they closed the case but she continued to send nasty messages.

It was so stressful I closed my eBay account. Never again.

Protecting my peace ☺️ I simply don't engage with these requests anymore (Vinted)

Exactly! You may as well go into the shops, try on the stuff and buy new.

Vinted wasn't designed for buyers like you 💐

If they ask for measurements and then don't purchase, it doesn't make them a time waster. It means they don't want to buy something that doesn't fit right.
So many people on vinted don't even describe things properly, or don't photograph the thing properly.
Shoes that they haven't shown the soles etc.
I clicked on a nice bikini yesterday where they'd listed only the pants size and not the bra size, so I double checked the size. She then asked if I was going to buy.

Maybe I was a time waster because I didn't want to accidentally buy something in the wrong size?

Someone will buy it for £1 without measurements, so why bother?

Yes if it’s a fairly expensive item, I would be happy to give measurements on a post. But I have had people ask for 2-3 measurements for an item that’s a tenner or less. It’s not worth my time.

I sell high st brands, eg Zara, Cos, Arket, Next, and usually sell things cheaply and in good condition so they sell pretty quickly after going online.

I don’t usually reply to people who ask about measurements, because as other people have said they tend to be the trickier buyers and it’s not really worth the time. I actually find people don’t ask that often.

I think older people are generally the ones who ask and are used to a different kind of shopping, teenagers/younger buyers never do and just resell if they don’t like it.

I would do if I could find what I am looking for in the shops atm!

It depends on the value of the item. If it’s an expensive item, not unreasonable. If it’s a cheap item then it’s unreasonable, especially if you are then going to send an offer on it. Selling online is very time consuming, and sometimes it’s just not worth it to the seller.

I think we can all agree that items listed for a pound or 2 are exempt. But given the oft-running threads here about inconsistencies in women's clothing, saying "it's a Marks size 10" we know that doesn't always help.
Also, saying "just relist it" is also not helpful a) I never sell, so any bad buys are a loss to me (but a gain for the charity shops) and b) it's quite environmentally wasteful to be posting all these single items over and over again no?

But then you can go to a shop and try things on and pay full price. There is an element of risk with buying on eBay/vinted, but that’s partly why you are getting things significantly cheaper. Otherwise sellers need to charge more to make it worthwhile selling. If something doesn’t fit then you can just resell it.

People take vinted far too personally.

For buyers it is fine to ask for measurements, or ask any other question. And obviously is fine not to buy if they don't want to. It doesnt make them time wasters.

Equally it is fine for sellers to not provide measurements or to not answer other questions if they don't want to, and don't mind losing a sale.

Well I’ve got more than half a brain, nearly 1000 5 star reviews and I’ve never measured any item I’ve sold on Vinted as I don’t own a tape measure.

Its never been an issue and my items sell from around £30 up to £80 usually within 24 hours

Agree with those who just ignore fussy measurement people

I personally don't mind people asking as I always have a tape measure at the ready, but I understand folk who cba - especially if they are selling something for a few quid. I always take a photo of the label though so they can see the shop size. And if it feels like its the 'wrong' size to me - I state that as well