How to Sell on Vinted. Practical Guide to Buying, Selling and Shipping

by letygoeson15, May, 2024Travel Trends

Practical Guide on How to Sell on Vinted and Some Tips to Attract Buyers.
If you’re new to the world of online shopping and selling, don’t worry: Vinted offers an intuitive and fast experience. In this article, I will guide you step by step on how to properly use the most popular app for selling second-hand items today.

Vinted is a highly popular online selling app (and website) dedicated to the buying and selling of second-hand items. Founded in 2008, it quickly gained widespread fame thanks to its user-friendly interface and the wide range of products available. Users can buy and sell clothing, accessories, and other used items, making Vinted a valuable resource for those who love sustainable shopping and great deals.

Beyond clothing and fashion accessories, Vinted offers a vast selection of used and even new products. The platform is not limited to a single category but hosts various offers and unique pieces across multiple sectors, including home goods, bedding, toys, books, and more. This variety has driven growing interest in Vinted as a go-to platform for buying and selling online.

In this article, you will find my guide to selling and buying on Vinted, and you’ll discover that selling is extremely easy and fun!

COSA TROVERAI IN QUESTO POST:

My Approach to Vinted

I have been using Vinted since September 2022, when one afternoon, I decided to get rid of all the items that were cluttering my closet and home, which I hadn’t used for years! Recently, I’ve been adopting a more mindful and sustainable lifestyle, both in my spending and in managing my space. I must admit that decluttering my closet that day was extremely liberating and satisfying from a psychological standpoint.

While going through my drawers and wardrobe, I was horrified to discover that some clothes had never been worn and still had the tags attached!

Check out my Vinted wardrobe

My goal was never to recover my expenses but rather to give a second chance to clothes that could make another girl happy and to free up space in my closet. That’s why I don’t set high prices on my Vinted store. In fact, I price everything at 3, 4, 5… at most 10 euros.

First, I filled a few bags with clothes I no longer used and donated them to a local thrift store that uses the proceeds to help families in need with daily expenses.

However, some items had a different fate. I carefully photographed them and uploaded them to Vinted, an app I had just joined. Again, my intent was not to recover my expenses but to give my items a second chance while making room in my wardrobe. This is why I set very low prices, ranging from 3 to 10 euros.

At first, I had some doubts, but after using Vinted, I realized that it’s very easy to use, transactions are quick, and payments are absolutely secure. Take a look at my wardrobe and follow me if you’re interested in my items!

Now, let’s dive into the details of how to use and sell on Vinted.

How to Use Vinted?

First, you need to download the app and sign up with an email and password. You can also log in automatically using your Google profile.

Vinted offers two ways to access the platform: through the mobile app or via a computer browser. For selling, I recommend using the app since it allows you to take photos directly from your phone and upload them immediately. For shopping, it doesn’t make much difference, though using a browser may provide a better overview of items.

To sign up, you need to fill in various mandatory fields, including a bio, profile picture, payment method (a card for purchases and a bank account for transferring sale earnings), shipping address, and phone number.

Optional fields include gender and birthdate, which you can leave blank if you prefer. However, to enhance your profile’s reliability, it’s best to complete as many fields as possible.

Remember, your Vinted profile acts as a business card for both buyers and sellers.

To make the most of Vinted, I recommend creating a complete and accurate profile that provides an overview of your preferences, style, and availability.

Set Up Your Vinted Profile Correctly

Enable as many shipping options as possible to avoid slowing down a sale if a buyer has limited delivery points nearby.
Verify your social media accounts and email address—this builds trust with buyers.
Activate discounts on bundles: Vinted allows you to apply a percentage discount for those who buy at least two items. You can set enticing discounts to speed up sales and encourage buyers to add more items to their order with just one shipping cost!

Now we are officially ready to post our first item on Vinted.

How to Sell on Vinted

In Vinted’s competitive environment, speed plays a crucial role in making successful sales. How can we optimize the selling process to minimize the waiting time between listing an item and its purchase?

Effective Listings on Vinted

A well-structured listing serves as your business card and ensures a quick sale. Attention to detail is essential. I recommend using high-quality images and accurate descriptions, including brand, size, and item condition.

I’ve noticed that listings featuring photos of the item being worn tend to attract more interest since they provide useful insight into its fit without needing excessive explanation.

Some items may look different in photos than in reality. In this case, apply a filter that best represents the real appearance of the item and specify this honestly in the description. Avoid embellishing reality; the photo should be as accurate as possible.

Buyers can “like” items (by clicking the heart icon), and from that moment, you can chat directly to negotiate, accept or decline an offer, and finalize the sale.

Pay attention to users requesting worn clothing photos, especially for swimsuits, lingerie, and similar items. If someone is too persistent, appears uninterested in actually buying, or harasses you, you can block or report them. For more information, refer to Vinted’s Community Standards.

Building Your Reputation as a Seller

Establishing a solid reputation is another crucial aspect. Providing impeccable service and receiving positive reviews contribute to your credibility and the trust buyers place in you.

Honestly describing every item you list for sale is essential, but it’s not the only factor.

Quick and polite communication with potential buyers is vital for successfully completing a sale—this is also encouraged by the platform itself.

Personally, I have enabled push notifications so that whenever someone contacts me for information about an item, I can respond promptly.

To maximize your effectiveness as a seller on Vinted, it’s also essential to carefully select the correct package size when creating a listing. Once an item is sold, make sure to pack it securely and ship it promptly, typically within five business days.

Setting Fair Prices on Vinted

High-quality listings attract buyers’ attention and visibility, but pricing strategy also plays a crucial role in your chances of making a sale.

It’s important to set fair prices, as excessively high prices or unclear item descriptions can discourage potential buyers (as highlighted by market research).

If you’re looking to sell luxury items, it may be worth considering platforms like Vestiaire Collective or Depop, as Vinted is generally more suited for selling at affordable prices.

If you’re wondering why you’re struggling to sell on Vinted, the answer might lie in your pricing. This platform is primarily used by bargain hunters looking for good deals, making it ideal for those who want to clear out their wardrobe rather than generate significant profits.

Buyers can make lower offers using the dedicated button in the chat, and you have the freedom to accept or decline them. However, a sale is only finalized when the buyer completes the purchase, not just when you accept an offer.

Whenever a potential buyer favorites your item, you’ll receive a notification and have the option to start a direct conversation with them, including sending a special offer.

Set your prices attractively while leaving a small margin for potential price negotiations.

Featured Wardrobe and Item Boost

Vinted’s paid tools, such as “Wardrobe Spotlight” and “Item Boost”, significantly increase the visibility of your listings.

Item Boost is a paid service that enhances the visibility of a single item in your wardrobe, increasing its chances of selling. When you apply a boost to an item, it appears in higher positions in users’ feeds and search results for either 3 or 7 consecutive days, or until the item is sold.

You can purchase unlimited boosts and use them either locally or internationally, making your items more visible in your country or across all countries where you can sell. The benefits include increased visibility, reaching interested users, and the ability to track weekly interactions. The cost of a boost depends on its duration, the item’s price, and its geographic reach.

Before applying a boost, make sure your listing complies with the catalog rules and is optimized with high-quality photos and descriptions.

Shipping an Item with Vinted

The shipping cost is covered by the buyer and is added to the item’s price right before payment. This cost varies depending on the package size and the location of both the buyer and the seller.

When you sell an item, you will receive a prepaid shipping label generated by Vinted via email and in your app inbox. In some cases, you might need to cover the shipping cost upfront if Vinted’s instructions do not include a site-generated shipping label. However, you will be reimbursed once the order is completed.

The buyer chooses which shipping carrier they want you to use for sending the item. But don’t worry about traveling too far—when printing the label, you can check a convenient map that shows the nearest drop-off points and lockers for the selected shipping company, along with their opening hours. Often, tobacconists, copy shops, and cafés also serve as pickup and drop-off locations for various carriers.

It’s important to respect the buyer’s shipping choice; otherwise, the order may be canceled, and the buyer will be refunded. Keep in mind that Vinted cannot track the package if it is shipped with a carrier different from the one specified in the order details.

As a seller, you have the option to offer multiple shipping methods to your buyers, depending on your location. Providing more shipping options increases your chances of making a sale.

Finally, you must adhere to the shipping deadline, which is 5 working days. If you fail to meet this timeframe, the order will be canceled.

The package will reach its destination within 3 to 10 days after shipment, depending on the distance, holidays, and the carrier.

How to Package Your Items

When packing an item to ship via Vinted, there are a few key rules to follow to ensure that your package arrives in good condition. First, make sure to use a sturdy cardboard box that is suitable for the size and weight of the item.

I often reuse boxes from my Amazon orders, but before doing so, I always remove any existing labels to create a clean, ready-to-use box or cardboard envelope for a new journey!

For internal packaging, I recommend filling any empty spaces with bubble wrap, polystyrene, paper, or corrugated material to prevent items from shifting during transport, especially if they are fragile (such as mugs, cups, or glasses).

Attach the shipping label securely to one side of the box using strong adhesive tape, making sure it is clearly visible and that the barcode is not covered, even by the tape. Seal the box properly to prevent it from opening during transit.

If you’re shipping multiple items together, make sure to pack them all in one single parcel rather than tying them together or sending them separately. Otherwise, the courier may refuse the shipment, or some items could get lost.

It’s very important to follow Vinted’s packaging guidelines and check the list of prohibited items before shipping.

Payment Management

When it comes to payments on Vinted as a seller, it’s important to understand how transactions work.

Once a buyer makes a purchase and the package has been shipped, the funds from that sale are recorded in your “Pending Balance.” These funds remain on hold until the buyer receives the item and confirms that everything is in order.

Only after the buyer’s confirmation will the funds be transferred to your Personal Balance on Vinted. This balance works like a digital wallet within the platform, where all your earnings from sales are stored.

From there, you can either withdraw the money to your bank account using the IBAN provided during registration or use it to make purchases directly on Vinted.

So payment process on Vinted for sellers involves temporarily holding the funds on the platform until the buyer confirms receipt and compliance of the item, after which the funds are transferred to the seller’s personal balance and can later be deposited into their bank account.

How to Buy on Vinted

Now, let’s move on to navigating Vinted as a buyer: how can you avoid disappointment on the platform?

First of all, as with any online marketplace, it’s better to be cautious than regretful later. If you come across a deal that seems too good to be true, well… it probably is! Be careful and don’t rush into buying before thoroughly checking the item’s condition, authenticity, and the seller’s reviews. To shop safely on Vinted—or any online platform—prudence is key.

Just like sellers, buyers can also accept offers for items they’ve added to their favorites. However, the purchase is not automatic, so make sure to complete the checkout process!

Additionally, as a buyer, you have the right to take your time when deciding whether you really want to purchase an item. Vinted offers a “Reserve an Item” feature: if you select your username, the seller can hold an item for you for up to 5 days (without any obligation to buy), making it invisible to other users in the feed.

Another great way to save money on Vinted is to find a seller who has multiple items you’re interested in and ask them to create a bundle. This allows you to pay for shipping only once. Many sellers also offer discounts on multiple-item purchases, so don’t hesitate to politely ask for a deal!

For every item you view, you’ll see both the item price and the total price including shipping. The final cost depends on several factors: the item price, the package size chosen by the seller, and the shipping distance. Keep these in mind when making your purchase!

A good technique could be to sell something on Vinted and then pay for a purchase with your own balance, without moving money from your credit card using your “Vinted Balance”!

How Purchase Protection Works on Vinted

It’s important to keep in mind that Vinted provides purchase protection for all transactions made on the platform. For every purchase, buyers are required to pay a protection fee, which amounts to 5% of the item’s price plus a fixed fee of 0.70%.

This protection allows buyers to contact Vinted within 2 days of receiving their order to open a dispute in case the package is lost or if the received item is significantly different from the listing description. Acting quickly is crucial—if no claim is opened within 2 days, Vinted will consider the transaction successfully completed, and no further action can be taken.

To ensure safety for yourself and other users, using the review feature is essential. It’s highly recommended to leave a review, whether your experience was positive or negative, within 4 days of the purchase.

If you don’t submit a review within this timeframe, Vinted will automatically leave a positive review for the other user—unless a dispute has been opened.

In conclusion, Vinted is a fantastic app that offers the possibility of selling and buying second-hand items in a simple and fast way.

It is important to pay attention, so as not to fall into traps or scams, evaluating each individual purchase carefully. By maintaining transparent communication and taking advantage of the protections offered to guarantee a good shopping experience for you and other users, I am sure that you will be able to maximize your success on Vinted.