Minimalistic shopping – Vinted

This year was certainly special for the clothing industry – both buyers and makers. The statistics clearly show that as consumers, we have turned to the second-hand clothing market on a larger scale than before. Instead of shopping in chain stores (to which access was available all the time through online stores), we choose second-hand stores, Ebay or shopping on Vinted. It is certainly good for our wallets, wardrobes and the environment. It gives you a chance to hunt for something that you missed in the store or was unavailable for you at the original price. It also allows you to better notice brands that sew clothes of such good quality that they become desirable on the aftermarket, and also look really great even after a while.

Personally, I do not like second-hand shopping in stationary stores. When I was in high school, buying clothes this way was normal thing for me. But now I’m tired of the mess and the amount of things on hangers. I have similar feelings, for example, in TK Maxx and that is why I avoid this store. Internet shopping, however, has the advantage that I can easily search for the thing I need or want. That’s why I liked Vinted very much, which, I’m ashamed to admit, I only discovered this year. If you don’t know it yet … Vinted is a platform and app for selling and exchanging used and unwanted clothes and shoes (mainly). It operates in several countries where it is gaining more and more popularity. I started using it in the summer, I already mentioned it in the post about the closet revamp on budget.

What do I like in Vinted

I have been using Vinted for a relatively short time, but in my case it worked very well. I often miss some clothes in stores or I only start to like them after a while, when they are completely sold out. It’s not a big drama for me, but it’s nice to have at least a small chance to find the thing I’m looking for. The undoubted advantage is saving on expenses. Let’s face it – most of the chain stores are not worth their original price. If you focus on economic minimalism when shopping, this is definitely a solution for you.

It’s nice that if the other party agrees, the thing can be reserved for you so you can have a chance to measure yourself or think. The possibility of negotiating the price is also a good option – why not?

What can you buy on Vinted

On Vinted, you can buy used and unworn items, as well as new items that still have a tag. The latter are often resold at very bargain prices, e.g. for 1/3 of their initial value. In this way, I was able to buy a branded puffer jacket for the winter or a skirt. In my opinion, it is more difficult to find current trends sold there. And these hold their price. It even happens, especially if they are already unachievable but still desired, that they are more expensive than previously offered in the store. Most often, however, they will appear on the platform after a year or two.

What I wouldn’t buy on Vinted

I certainly would not like to buy used underwear, hats, gloves and used shoes. Here, the exception was the flaps, which can be very thoroughly disinfected. I would also not buy things that are commonly counterfeit.

Is shopping on Vinted hygenic?

In the light of recent scandals about „borrowing” clothes from stores by stylists, celebrities or just ordinary people, flashing them at photo shoots and parties, and then returning these items to stores as unworn, I am not sure whether the hygiene of shopping in second-hand shops or Vinted really should make me dizzy. When you go shopping, e.g. at Zara’s and try pants on, you are aware that only that day they could be measured by 50 people before you put it on and no one washed the pants so that you could try them clean. Whoever used to travel via public transport is aware of the low level of hygiene in society. In addition, new clothes in the production process are treated with so much chemicals that they apparently have to be washed anyway before wearing them for the first time, because they are simply poisonous (especially jeans – sic!).

Meanwhile, whatever preloved I bought on Vinted, it came to me washed and fragrant. With one exception, this was my only failed purchase. If you want to see what I was able to hunt on Vinted, check out my Instagram – the summer capsule had a few such things in it, e.g. white shorts, a jacket and blue summer shirts.

How to not get lost in what Vinted offers?

The amount of stuff on Vinted is devastating. My method for shopping on Vinted is this:
– look for a specific cloth, also in terms of color
– display the results from the latest months (sometimes cloth hangs there for 4 years)
– choose only new or not worn / with no signs of use
If it was possible to specify the type of material, it would be great, unfortunately this option is not available yet. The vinted downside is that the search may have no end and narrowing down the criteria helps.

What to look for when buying. Is shopping on Vinted safe?

I have noticed a few problems. First of all, overestimating the condition of the clothes, not informing about e.g. a stain. In such a situation, it is good to ask for additional photos or close-ups. I will also not believe that a thing that, for example, was in store 2 years ago, was not worn even once at that time. And a party dress worn „only once” could really experience a lot.

Some users do not want to sell clothes via the Buy It Now option, and this should actually worry the buyer. This resistance cannot be logically explained from the buyer’s position. The seller, unlike the buyer, who has to pay extra % of the purchase value for Vinted (the so-called Buyer Protection – after all, this company has to make money on something :)) is not burdened with any sales fees. The money itself is paid relatively quickly. Purchases via the Buy Now button are formalized transactions, they are protected. Vinted will not pay the money until the buyer confirms that the transaction was OK and that the goods reflect the description. Therefore, in such situations, I let go. (Here’s a digression – if there are Vinted sellers among you who avoid selling via Buy Now – I’m curious about the reasons and would be grateful for your comment!)

Vinted also catches catalog or blog photos that are added to the descriptions of clothes. In this case, the user has to insert a real photo of the item, which increases the chance that the actual condition of an item is shown. However, users are creative. In the summer I saw, for example, a white t-shirt from the first collections of Kasia Tusk (i.e. about 5 years ago) for over 25 euro with the information that the condition is very good, but the shirt has yellow spots under the armpits 🙂 What an offer!

To sum up – you can feel safe on Vinted, while maintaining a certain dose of caution.

Selling on Vinted

If you want to get rid of unwanted clothes, putting them on Vinted is a good idea. Vinted is definitely safer than OLX or Facebook groups. In my opinion, selling through Vinted will be successful if you have something really cool and in great condition to offer, and at an affordable price. People most often look for opportunities. Uninteresting or worn clothes or shoes will not attract much attention. Zara and H&M chain stores are also popular. However, there is a lot of competition in this segment – a lot of people wear their clothes and this is where the quality, perfect condition and very good price certainly counts. Premium brands are also popular. Wool and cashmere clothes are in demand, especially in the autumn and winter season – the latter, despite higher prices, can disappear within a few minutes of being displayed.

Do you have any experience with the Vinted app? Share in comments!