Someone else’s treasure: How to sell on Vinted

Lately, there has been a massive boom of people buying and selling clothes from second-hand sites. Vinted is one of the most popular sites, but is selling worth all the hassle? I would argue that it absolutely is, and with the university year coming to a close it is the perfect time to start taking on new ventures. Below, I have compiled a list of tips and tricks for selling clothes on Vinted so that you can clear some wardrobe space and earn some spending money this summer.

First of all, you need to make sure you are providing the listing with a clear, concise, and correct title so that it appears in searches — no spelling mistakes!

Be careful not to sell it as something it is not (for example, don’t use a brand name if it is not from that brand)

Next up is the description. The most important thing to include here is an account of any imperfections that are on the garment (for example tears, discolouration, or stains) that you should also highlight in the photos. This is so that the buyer is completely aware of what they are purchasing and cannot dispute the sale later on. The description is also the place for buzzwords and hashtags, such as the style, fit, and synonyms for the type of garment, so that it appears in even more searches. Though, be careful not to sell it as something it is not (for example, don’t use a brand name if it is not from that brand).

Under the description are the item details, where Vinted asks you a few questions about the piece. It is essential you fill it in as accurately as you can — enter the size that is printed on the label, choose the most prominent and precise colours, and don’t lie about what condition it is in.

It is best to make the cover photo a picture of the garment being worn so that customers can visualise how it actually fits

The next crucial thing for securing a sale are the photos, as the buyer will want to see what they are purchasing. I find it is best to make the cover photo a picture of the garment being worn so that customers can visualise how it actually fits. I then like to take a picture of it neatly laid out on a plain background with good lighting and no visible dirt. In this way, I post a photo of the front, the back, the tag with the brand, size and material, any imperfections, and then any fascinating details (such as hardware, closures, or embellishments).

Price to about £2 or £3 more than what I would be happy to sell it for so that buyers will make offers closer to my preferable figure

Then comes the pricing. I find it helps to look at similar items to see roughly how much it might sell for. I then put the price to about £2 or £3 more than what I would be happy to sell it for so that buyers will make offers closer to my preferable figure.

Once someone is interested in your piece, it is essential to maintain a good relationship with them. Answer their questions quickly and if anything comes up, such as a delay in postage or an imperfection you hadn’t previously noticed, let them know so that they can cancel the order if that is a dealbreaker for them.

{When posting the item} You can use shopping bags, bin bags, old packaging — the possibilities truly are endless

When it comes to actually posting the item, you don’t need to buy fancy new packaging because the main point of Vinted is that things are being saved from landfill. You can use shopping bags, bin bags, old packaging — the possibilities truly are endless. As long as you have good quality tape and the packaging has no holes then you are good to go! You can also toggle what postage options you offer in the settings menu, however it is best to keep a few different options as buyers have their preferences. Also, it is recommended to keep evidence of postage (e.g. a receipt or email) as it will be needed if there are any issues later on.

Uploading according to season is also preferable

Some other tips include turning on bundle discounts so that a buyer is more inclined to buy multiple pieces from you at once, earning you money and saving you multiple trips to the post office. Uploading according to season is also preferable. No one is buying coats in June, and if your pieces don’t sell in a few weeks you can delete the listing, take new photos and try again (or just wait it out — sometimes you might get lucky).

Vinted has fair, established ways of dealing with postage or refund issues and as long as you disclose all information and keep any evidence of the sale then they should also reimburse you as the seller should anything go wrong. There is also little room for scams on the site, though of course some slip through so it is good to be wary.

It really is that easy to sell on Vinted, and 100% of the asking price from the sale goes to you, making it an easy and profitable way to clear space and reduce landfill waste.