How to actually sell stuff on Vinted
…and stop buying things you hate
I've been on Vinted for a couple of years now, first as a buyer before venturing into selling.
I went through the classic honeymoon phase of thinking it was absolutely wonderful, with everything I bought working out. Then came the inevitable Vinted fatigue: before I knew it, I was ripping open giant disappointments wrapped in Lidl bags, and unable to muster the energy to upload the huge pile of things I wanted to sell.
But last week I had a flurry of activity that's reignited my Vinted spark. So here's what I've learnt about successful buying and selling...
Tips for selling stuff on Vinted
1. Remind yourself why you want rid
For me, I couldn't bear opening my wardrobe to things I just don't wear anymore. It felt massively wasteful for things I’d barely touched to be sitting redundant when someone else could be enjoying them, and I could be earning back a little of the money I’d set alight with poorly considered purchases.
I'm also going through a bit of a life overhaul in that I want as little stuff as possible. I want to feel free and ready to follow opportunities without being burdened by material objects. This might sound dramatic but having packed up all my possessions four times in six months, I refuse to find myself in that position again. If I got the chance to move to Spain tomorrow (hi Universe) then I want to be able to fling a few treasured things in a bag and go. Or at least fit them in one private jet (u still there?).
Whatever your motivation is, from holiday savings to clearing space for more clothes, having a big fat why will help you get your arse in gear.
2. Price realistically
I sold four things within a couple of hours last week and it was definitely a lot to do with price. In the past, I've felt precious about letting things go for less than I'd like, but let's face it - Vinted is about nabbing a bargain. That skirt you think you should get a tenner for because you're sentimental about the time you wore it to a successful job interview? It should be £3.50. The app has become a lot more intuitive now and I find its recommended prices based on similar items pretty spot on. I also priced low and stuck to my guns this time, turning down any offers as opposed to starting high and climbing down. It simplifies things and ensures you don't regret caving to a cheeky offer.
3. Photos photos photos
Any effort you put in here will be rewarded. Keep it simple but effective. Ensure your pics are super clear and show the item from several angles. If you can add a tiny bit of interest via some nice interiors in the background, then do it - there's so much on Vinted now that anything that helps your item stand out is good. Ensure the environment and garment looks clean and looked after - an obvious one but we've all seen some dodgy background detritus haven't we?
4. Don't skip the description
I know it feels tedious after your 10th upload, but description is really key to instill confidence in potential buyers. It shouldn't be a mystery to them what they're buying. I try to keep mine punchy and throw in some emojis to lighten things up...ground-breaking stuff. Also, if you're selling something that was constantly sold out or hard to get hold of, include that in the main description, eg 'sold out Zara cardigan'. People go wild for scarcity.
5. Make the process as easy as possible...for yourself.
Look, it is a pain in the arse to do, especially when you're busy, so streamline your selling process as much as possible. Things I do to help: I'm using a big plastic laundry bag to house the stuff I want to sell, so it's all together in one place. If anything needs a quick wash, I do it right away before even uploading it. Stock up on packaging, and fold and pack everything before you've sold (make sure to write what the item is on the outside) to allow you to move quickly once you have. Familiarise yourself with the best drop-off points near you - and make sure you limit the postage options to those that suit you best. Keep your buyer informed along the way for guaranteed good feedback.
Ok, so what about buying stuff?
Don't purchase anything till you've asked yourself these questions...
If I saw this item brand-new online or in-store, would I be excited to buy it?
Does the seller look decent? Do they have good reviews and clear images?
How will I feel if I don't like it and can't easily return it? Will I be able to resell or gift it?
What events or scenarios would this item be ideal for?
If you struggle to answer the above, walk away. Also watch out for pity purchases. I recently asked a seller to send me a side angle shot of a pair of shoes as she hadn't included one. She got back very quickly and courteously and even though I wasn't wild about the shoes, I bloody bought them because I felt bad for asking for the extra photo. Yes, I do need help.
I'm on a bit of a spending ban just now...not an outright one but I'm trying not to buy anything new until there's a real need. I have plenty of products to get through so why buy more? So today's recommend has been in my makeup bag for literal years but after digging it out this week, I'm devoted all over again. It's so easy to apply, ticking all my make-life-easier boxes with the included brush. It comes in lots of colours and applies like a dream. I use the shade Sunkissed, which does exactly that for my skin tone. Truly a fantastic product which performs so well that it warrants the high price. I’ll definitely be exploring Nudestix more when I need to stock up.
The glorious weather has brought with it the usual what-to-wear conundrum, particularly for work. I opt for skirts above the knee with black tights a lot, and going bare-legged with them just isn't appropes (or something I have the time to accommodate the grooming process for in all honesty). Shout-out to Pinterest for serving me long shorts as a totally viable alternative - so chic!
These ones are now officially on my shopping list...
“He who blames others has a long way to go on his journey. He who blames himself is halfway there. And he who blames no one has arrived.”
— Chinese proverb
Most of us manage to move past blaming others for our trials and grievances, but I think there's currently a lot of focus on self responsibility and embracing the discomfort of changing who we are in order to grow. While I agree we all need some of that, there's definitely a sense of peace and fulfilment in radical acceptance. We can just be, without analysing or story telling to make sense of something. I'm very guilty of this so currently trying to see things more neutrally...not easy, but very freeing!
what is your vinted? I am OBSESSED with vinted and havent bought new ONCE this year! I am so proud of myself ha! I have been buying second hand then selling on vinted to make some money