Should I sell clothing on eBay or Vinted as a small private seller as both charge fees pros and cons

[tulipsorange12]

OK since the eBay decision to add buyer protection fee to private sellers items I am thinking of other places to sell. I have a fair amount of clothing to sell (much of it is BNWT or lightly used) that accumulated over the years. Is Vinted where everyone is buying their clothing from nowadays rather than eBay because that is what I am reading on various boards. As there is no difference between eBay or Vinted now I don't feel I should just stick to eBay anymore. eBay did not have to blindly follow Vinted but they did. They could have had a lower fixed fee, it could have been a sliding fee, or even no fees for items under £20. But they have chosen a painful approach. So is Vinted a better place to sell clothing?

[mawels_87]

"Why would Royal Mail send it back if it's at the store?"

My click & collect store says packages are returned to sender if not collected within 14 days. They had 2 packages that were going back to sender because uncolected yesterday.

InPost Lockers only allow 3 days to collect before they are returned to sender.

[suelel1968]

My first buying experience with V has been dire. The seller is allowed to say "Worn Once" and "in very good condition" when it has been worn to death and is matted and bobbled. The Buyer Protection Fee I paid covers me for nothing. I HAVE TO PAY RETURN POSTAGE! And I can't leave feedback unless I keep it. Never buying again!

I hope I'm not breaking any rules by posting V's explanation of the BPF. 

As a buyer, you can get a refund for any problems with the item you received, as long as the seller agrees. This refund policy protects you and makes sure transactions are fair. This fee is a small amount to pay for the peace of mind it gives you..

Who pays for the return delivery costs? Usually, if an item isn’t as described, the buyer often pays for the return delivery costs. But these costs can sometimes be discussed with the seller.

As a buyer I would be happier if the BPF actually meant something.

So as we know eBay likes to copy V's homework..... 

[jma2815]

I bought one item on vinted just to see, because my colleagues were obsessed. A denim dress, ‘New with tags’. 

It arrived dirty, caked in cat hair and stinking of sweat. With the ancient tags tied back on (it was a brand that uses string and swing tags so that was easy. 

No returns, and on vinted that meant no returns. Never again. 

[papso22]

---

@jma2815 wrote:

I bought one item on vinted just to see, because my colleagues were obsessed. A denim dress, ‘New with tags’. 

It arrived dirty, caked in cat hair and stinking of sweat. With the ancient tags tied back on (it was a brand that uses string and swing tags so that was easy. 

No returns, and on vinted that meant no returns. Never again. 

---

Why didn't Vinted's buyer protection work?  I assume you paid a fee for it?

[fatbobfan]

Had a clear out of a few things including some stuff thet didnt sell on Ebay last year

New V user, no feedback on my account and got to be honest it was a good experience, Easier to upload, Liked the fact the buyer chooses postal options, No need to print anything! Less time consuming, Many more views and 'favourites/watched' compared to Ebay.

In two weeks, 11 listed 4 sold, currently have over 350 Views with 80 Favourites, on the remaning 7 listed

In fairness some where items (band merch) that I thought whould sell

A couple of points on whats been mentioned in the thread,

Scammers - Down side of online selling, not just Ebay or V, its most platforms, its what some people do. Condition, check the photo's if your not happy with the photo's ask for more and ask questions. It wont stop the clever ones, maybe the lazy ones, but might make things easier. Still not happy dont buy,

Fees - In what ever form, they are there and need to be paid, nearly all platforms are businesses and only exist to make money

[jma2815]

“Why didn't Vinted's buyer protection work?”

If you think that actually exists you haven’t been on vinted. 

[papso22]

I have never bought on Vinted but I have read how their buyer protection is said to work.  I still don't get why you were not covered.

[betsysbest]

"As a buyer, you can get a refund for any problems with the item you received, as long as the seller agrees."