Whether you’re championing better consumption habits, on the hunt for something unique or simply on a budget, buying and selling secondhand goods has become second nature to most of us, with online marketplaces reporting record rises in both secondhand purchases and reselling. Level up your secondhand game with these Vinted tips and tricks below.
Buying
1 Teach Vinted what you like
Personalise your feed by saving your searches and smashing that Favourite button. Be specific. Don’t just search for a black dress if you’re looking for a black bardot midi dress with bows. The more search words you add, the better selection you’ll get. Search hashtags, particularly if your item fits into a trend or style, eg Y2K or barrel jeans. You’ll soon get the results you want.
2 Get personal
Who are you buying from? A profile pic is a solid indicator, even if it’s an avatar, as is a verified account. Sellers who have taken time on presentation suggest you’ll receive your item on time and in good condition. Check their reviews and make sure they’re active, and if you’re still not sure, reach out with a question. A friendly reply should put you at ease.
3 Timing is everything
Sellers tend to spend Saturdays sorting and uploading, so Sunday is a great time to browse for new items (a bank holiday Monday can produce a motherlode). Check regularly and turn on your notifications so you don’t miss out. Early morning searching can also yield results, as you’ll be first in line for all those goodies that were posted by late-night listers. And don’t underestimate the added time that secondhand shopping can take – if you have a particular occasion in mind, start your search early.
4 Room for negotiation
Some sellers are open to an offer – the biggest discount you can ask for on Vinted is 40% – and you can make up to 25 offers a day. If you exceed these, there’s nothing stopping you messaging the seller directly; just be polite if they decline or don’t respond.
5 Be savvy
If you’re looking to invest in high end pieces or designer items that cost £100 or more, consider making use of Vinted’s Item Verification service. For £10 your bought item first goes to Vinted’s team of brand experts, ensuring you’re spending your money on the real thing.
6 Buy off-season
This one depends on how much storage space you have, but if you have room to store puffers in April or bikinis in October, buying counter-seasonally can open you up to some seriously good finds as sellers clear out their closets.
7 Bundle up
Buying in bundles from the same seller is brilliant, especially for kidswear. (Unworn school pinafores anyone?) Scroll down an item’s page, click on Shop bundles, and add the items you want. The seller will provide a bundle price – you may even get a discount – and you should only pay postage once plus Buyer Protection fee. Bargain.
8 Share the love
One thing that won’t cost you a penny: being nice to your fellow Vinted users. The best thing you can do for a seller is leave positive feedback if your item has arrived on time and as described – so remember to take the time to do so! Build a rapport with sellers who match your size and style, and follow them to receive notifications when they list something new. As one of their repeat customers, you might even find they offer you a discount.
Selling
9 First impressions count
There’s a reason retailers spend a fortune on window-dressing – that holding pic is vital. Natural light and neutral backgrounds work best. Opt for high resolution, portrait mode and avoid shadows. Make sure to steam or iron your garments and use appropriate hangers.
10 Be snap happy!
You can upload up to 20 pictures on Vinted, so don’t hold back. Include a photo of the entire item, the back, and at least three close-ups of details such as logos, stitching, fasteners, and serial numbers for luxury items. Take a shot of the label and the care label – they are easy shows of authenticity, sizing and materials.
11 The price is right
Be realistic. Research what similar items are selling for as initial guidance. As a rule of thumb: for new items with or without tags, try 80% to 60% of the retail price; for any item you list as being in very good or good condition, try 60% to 40%, and about 40% to 20% for satisfactory. Be open to offers and review the price if the item doesn’t sell after a few weeks.
12 Overtalk it
Using all the words boosts your discoverability. Short-sleeve, V-neck, oversized, luxe-feel – they all help. Be precise and honest about any flaws or unusual sizing to avoid disappointed buyers (and bad reviews). And be sure to make use of the filters and relevant categories. Showcase your personality with back stories: “Yes! This is dress number three of eight weddings this year!”
13 Take care of your items
The better condition they are in, the likelier you will be to get a good price. Follow the advice on care labels. Give bags and accessories a regular wipe and store them in a dry place, ideally in a dust bag and away from direct sunlight. And don’t forget to keep proof of authenticity for any luxury items; not having it may adversely affect your resale price. But, if there are any visible marks or stains on your item (no matter how small), be honest about it – buyers will be happy enough to make their own decisions, and you won’t have to deal with potential returns or bad reviews.
14 Ready, set …
Be prepared. Have a stash of packaging ready – better yet, have a stash of packaging you’ve held on to from previous purchases of your own. Recycled packaging in good condition is absolutely accepted by Vinted to use to send off your items, if not preferred. One of the virtues of buying and selling secondhand is that it produces less waste, so it’s all the more reason to extend that rationale to what you use to wrap up your items.
15 We’re all influencers now
Add your Vinted handle to your social media bios and post your items on Stories or share your wardrobe clear-out on TikTok. Include hashtags to help buyers find you. Upload regularly rather than all in one go; your followers receive notifications each time you list a new item and it ensures you’re top of their feed. It also keeps your account active.
16 Don’t be afraid to message
Buyers often reach out to barter, so why not do the same? If someone likes your item, offer them a 5% discount. You can then follow up with any further incentives, such as posting on the day of purchase.
17 Remember to review your items
Not everything will be snapped up within hours, however, when it does come time to review your posts, update your description, take clearer photographs and potentially lower the price.
18 And finally …
You can sell all kinds of other things on Vinted, so don’t just look at your wardrobe. Check the shelves for books you’ve already read, check the kids room for all the cute outfits worn once and outgrown, or toys that are not being played with any more. And review that one drawer where you keep your old cameras, tablets and other tech since you’ve upgraded. Some of those surely deserve to make someone else happy.
Ready to put these pro tips into practice? Try them for yourself on Vinted
