@MyPlumHelper & @SoScarletItWas - I do feel your frustration with buying on Vinted/eBay! I was like that many years ago on eBay - had a few bad purchases & nearly went off the whole thing. But I'm really glad I persevered! I still make the occasional error, but it's quite rare. So please do persevere!!! You will change your mind when you score something great ...!!!
Like @TheChosenTwo I try to be selective, & look for certain things/save searches for things I really want.
I look for makes that generally fit me well, clothes I may have seen & loved in shops/online/in magazines but can't afford, & "proper" vintage pieces. I don't buy things just because they're £2 or £4 - they're usually things that were cheap & cheerful in the first place. But I do buy what I think are brilliant bargains for what they are, & what they originally cost?
Some things I've bought that I'm so chuffed with - just a random few off the top of my head!!!
- a gorgeous green double-faced wool wrap coat by Jigsaw, which I've worn to death;
- a delicate black cashmere & mohair jumper by Malene Birger;
- a navy cotton poplin shirtwaister dress by Toast;
- navy & gold pointy flats by Air & Grace;
- a fab rust silk shirt by Toteme with billowing sleeves;
- 1960s glass cocktail rings, 1970s Finnish brutalist pendants, a huge Tiffany silver cuff that was misidentified ...
EBay is, I think, easier to use than Vinted, & more reliable. The range has dropped due to Vinted, but I think people are returning due to dissatisfaction with Vinted.
What I did do, when I started buying on each, was look up some how-to advice & guidance by regular buyers. That helped a lot, especially with Vinted, which is less well thought-out/structured than eBay.
I also try not to give in to impulsive urges - just like shopping in the flesh!! That's not to say that I don't give in if I spot something amazing that's really "me".
But I think disasters most often occur when people are too hasty & impetuous. You should thoroughly check photos, look at seller reviews, ask for measurements - & do a Google search on the item image, to see what it looks like on a model & not unironed on the back of a door in semi-darkness ...!!!
It's better to have a little patience & lose out, than end up with something that's well-worn/doesn't fit etc:
Otherwise you might buy a vintage lace dress with bleach stains down the back, because you didn't spot there were only photos of the front, in your excitement at how pretty the dress was ...??!*
Or buy two pairs of Birkenstocks in a size 4 when you're a 7 ...**
*An early eBay cock-up!!
** It was late & I'd had several large glasses of wine ... NEVER bid or buy online when booze is involved!!!