Dodgy Online Shopping Choices

[Charliesunnysky10]

My 16 year old knows everything about everything, as do most teenagers, but when it comes to shopping on Vinted & Depop, makes some very questionable choices. She works hard every weekend at a café so she has the funds to buy clothes online: packages are arriving every few days.

We have hoodies arriving with permanent stains, greying vest tops that were advertised as white (one of which was shipped in a Doritos packet turned inside out), and bobbly iets joggers bought for just a fiver less than the RRP.

She seems delighted with every purchase, and I’m loath to point the stains/greying/bobbly-ness out because it undermines her independence/judgement. Also, she doesn’t like to return things, so they’d probably just sit unworn in her wardrobe - I did once point out a long satin fabric dress described as ‘Like new’ had an oily stains down the front and punctures in the back hem (possibly from stiletto heels). Despite this, she didn’t want to return it and said the marks were hardly noticeable, though she agreed she’d be wary of trying to re-sell.

I feel sorry that her wages are being spent on worn out clothes (I agree that recycling clothes is better, it’s just about checking the photos properly and being strict in returning things that aren’t as described). She doesn’t seem to be doing either of these things, but if I mention this, she gets angry and upset that I’m interfering and undermining her. I certainly don’t want to do either of these things (I'm mindful of letting her be), but I feel like I’m just letting her waste her money - and while this has been happening for a couple of years it IS her money that SHE earned.

[MaloneMeadow]

Although it would annoy me too if it were my DD I don’t think that there’s really anything you can do to be honest, it’s her money so she can spend it how she wants. I do think that you should definitely point out the stains, imperfections etc a bit more though - you’re not undermining her, sometimes teens do just need to be told the truth in order to see it

[MaloneMeadow]

The good news is that the silly shopping does stop (eventually!!)

DD is 19 now and finally being a lot more responsible and careful with her money, plus returning anything which she’s not absolutely certain that she likes - a big improvement on her 16 year old self..

[Netaporter]

Ah yes, ‘vintage’ shopping. Mine once came home with a ‘Nike’ top with a hole in it that was at least £10 overpriced. I’d be upset too but I think you have to just let them get on with it. The only thing you can do is teaching them about how to savvy shop before committing and about the virtues of checking for authenticity. 🤷‍♀️

[hushabybaby]

My son was similar! Can't tell you how many stained grey t shirts I've had to boil wash with oxy action. Sewing pockets back on faded old manky hoodies etc

He's wised up now and has discovered the delights of eBay, cheaper, better quality and usually accurate descriptions .

[ComputerInitiateJump]

Same here. It's her money so I try not to interfere, but it's infuriating to see another pair of manky trainers arrive.
She is selling as well and I try to give items the once over to check they are clean before she posts them.

[foxychox]

Clothing was packed in an inside out Dorito packet?! That's peak teenager right there 🤣

[Charliesunnysky10]

@ComputerInitiateJump @MaloneMeadow @Netaporter @hushabybaby Thank you so much giving me a goggle and for reassuring me that...

a) She's not alone in buying near-rags in crisp packets
b) it will calm down (she'll have bought every single pair of bobbly joggers in 3 years anyway)
c) I'm not being the worst parent in the world by not interfering.

Incidentally @hushabybaby I'm an eBay fan too (mainly selling), but I have to move over to the dark side (Vinted) for low-value items as the eBay fees wipe out any profit!

[Charliesunnysky10]

@foxychox Honestly, I'm all for recycling; the landfill crisis keeps me awake at night, but even I draw the line at using food wrappers as mailbags.

On the plus side, it was turned inside out - they were Tangy Cheese flavour and that's never gonna end well.

[hushabybaby]

I'll also add that he sold a lot of his brand new lovely clothes to buy this crap 🤣

Brand new North face ski coat RRP £600 for a mere £45

Brand new Nike/Addidas, Fila rare trainers for a mere £20/30

To add insult to injury I have an online business and I paid for packing and postage for these deals of the century

[MaloneMeadow]

@hushabybaby

I'll also add that he sold a lot of his brand new lovely clothes to buy this crap 🤣

Brand new North face ski coat RRP £600 for a mere £45

Brand new Nike/Addidas, Fila rare trainers for a mere £20/30

To add insult to injury I have an online business and I paid for packing and postage for these deals of the century

Raging that DD hadn’t spotted the £600 North Face ski coat!! 🤣

[Charliesunnysky10]

@hushabybaby OMG...so funny. I get absolutely nothing for my stuff on Vinted. I swear you could have a brand new pair of AirForce1's in an original box signed by Eminem and get a quid for them if you're lucky.

[hushabybaby]

@Charliesunnysky10 so true!

After the drama of discovering he was selling off this stuff, I hid most of his old clothes and my youngest is now donning them 🤣

[Charliesunnysky10]

@MaloneMeadow I resisted the temptation to ask Hushaby for the seller ID😂

A blind man on a galloping horse could see the The North Face Puffa my daughter bought end of last year was a fake, although she paid close to the price of a genuine one for it😫

[Charliesunnysky10]

@hushabybaby A wise move 😂I'd be padlocking my own wardrobe too!

Luckily my daughter is too busy buying up all the dusters to have the time to sell anything. She gives it to me (the PA), and I use the meagre Vinted sales to cover 'incidentals' like her eyebrow waxes, and the expensive ice cream we have to buy when her boyfriend comes over🙄.

[hushabybaby]

I would gladly give you his username! If I knew it

We could start a club and buy back all the stuff we all ready paid for 🤣🤣