Since it was founded in 2008, Vinted has become the most popular platform in Europe for buying and selling second-hand clothes, shoes, accessories, and more.
As a consumer-to-consumer (C2C) marketplace, it offers an easy, user-friendly way to declutter your closet or find fashion deals. Via the app many people have monetised having a clear out – and feeling better about the ecological impact of their wardrobes.
But it hasn’t take long for pain points to emerge and scammers to find loopholes to take advantage of.
Rising problems
The popularity of Vinted over sites like Depop is the fact that there are no seller fees. But this also means that there is minimum help available if a dispute between a buyer and seller arises.
Throughout 2025 we’ve been contacted by increasing numbers of people who’ve felt betrayed by the platform after experiencing issues or being scammed.
Tori, a long-time Vinted user and five start seller, shared her story with us: despite years of positive trading history, Tori found herself out of pocket after Vinted sided with a dishonest seller who appeared to have deliberately damaged a returned item to claim compensation.
We have received many similar enquiries from others run into trouble while buying or selling on Vinted.
Towards the end of 2025, Vinted became the fourth most complained about company on Resolver. So in this article, we’ll cover at the most common issues on Vinted and what your rights are as a buyer or seller under consumer protection laws.
Want advice on creating a hassle-free side-hustle? Check out the Resolver guide to second-hand selling
Top tips for staying safe
Before we go into the most common issues that arise we have some catch-all advice, based on some of the stories we’ve heard.
Keep track and collect evidence
With a site like Vinted, if a dispute arises between a buyer and a seller it can boil down to one person’s word against another – and it can be hard for moderators to know who to side with.
The key to ensuring that the truth is upheld is to stay on top of your communications and collect as much evidence as you can at each stage of the process.
Especially if you are posting something as a seller or making a return of an item you’re unhappy with, make sure you take good photos of the item and the packaging yourself before you send it.
We have heard from several people who’ve had their claims refused because the packaging is not considered strong enough – so avoid brown paper. Or go to lengths to show how well packaged the item is before you send it.
Communicate clearly, kindly and promptly
If there has been a problem with an order don’t panic – but make sure you communicate it as soon as possible. Many of the windows for raising a dispute are only a few days – so you must speak up promptly if you want help.
When communicating with another user, whether a buyer or seller, you can avoid any confusions, misunderstandings, disappointments or complaints by maintaining a polite and professional tone.
If a dispute arises you must do your best to communicate as clearly and kindly as you can with the disputes team – this will help you get a better and fairer result. Respond promptly to inquiries: if you have active listings, make sure that you login to the website or app regularly to see if you have any messages.
Report problems and leave reviews to protect other users
By working together consumers can ensure that sites like Vinted remain safe. If you experience something negative, such as a suspicious seller, misleading listing, or poor communicationm, make sure you report it through the platform’s official channels. This helps Vinted identify and address problematic behaviour more quickly.
Leaving an honest review is just as important. Your feedback can warn other users about potential issues and highlight trustworthy sellers, helping everyone make safer, more informed decisions. By speaking up when something goes wrong, you’re not only protecting yourself but also contributing to a safer marketplace for the entire community.
Most common Issues
Items not as described
Common complaint:
You order something described as “new with tags,” but it arrives stained or clearly worn.
Your rights:
Under Vinted’s Buyer Protection, you’re entitled to open a dispute if an item is not as described. This also includes if it is the incorrect size, colour, damage, or counterfeit.
What to do:
- Take clear photos of the item upon arrival.
- Report the issue through the app within 2 days of delivery.
- Vinted will hold the payment until the dispute is resolved.
- If resolved in your favour, you’ll be able to return the item and get a refund, including shipping in most cases.
Lost or delayed packages
Common complaint:
An item never arrives, or tracking shows it’s stuck in transit for weeks.
Your rights:
Vinted uses tracked shipping methods, so either party can prove where the item is. If a package is lost, Vinted often reimburses the buyer under their protection policy.
What to do:
- Keep all tracking info.
- If the item is not delivered within the expected timeframe, report it through the app.
- If you’re the seller, Vinted usually reimburses you if tracking shows the package was delivered, although this can vary by courier and location.
Refund disputes
Common complaint:
Buyers return items, but sellers claim they were returned in worse condition or sellers refuse to accept returns at all.
Your rights:
Private sellers on Vinted don’t legally have to accept returns unless:
- The item is defective, fake, or not as described.
- The seller is a business (in which case EU law gives buyers a 14-day return right).
What to do:
- Always keep return tracking numbers.
- Photograph the item before you send it back.
- Use Vinted’s dispute resolution system so they act as the mediator.
Scams and fraudulent buyers/sellers
Common complaint:
Scammers may use fake profiles or fake listings to trick users into sending money or shipping items without using Vinted’s platform.
Your rights:
Vinted’s Buyer Protection will ensure that if a dispute arises you can get your money back. However, this only applies to in-app payments and messages. This means that if you go off-platform and pay via PayPal friends & family or bank transfer, you won’t be protected.
What to do:
- Never agree to complete a sale outside the app.
- Report suspicious behaviour or profiles immediately.
- If scammed, contact your bank or payment provider to request a chargeback.
Blocked or suspended accounts
Common complaint:
Users report being banned or suspended without warning, sometimes after disputes or misunderstandings.
Your rights:
Vinted has the right to suspend accounts based on their terms. You may be banned if you are found to be selling counterfeit or prohibited items, scamming other users, or reported for offensive or inappropriate behaviour. This may be temporary and you will be automatically unbanned within 7-30 days. However, depending on the circumstances, it may be that you are permanently banned.
On their website, Vinted say that even if you are banned, you can still contact them to inquire about the possibility of unbanning your account and should still be able to withdraw earnings from your Vinted Balance. You also have the right to appeal any decision they make by submitting a dispute to a certified out-of-court dispute settlement body or by bringing an action before national courts. However, as Vinted is not yet committed to any specific ADR schemes it is difficult for consumers to escalate their complaints.
What to do:
- Contact Vinted support and ask for specific reasons.
- Make an official appeal via the appeal link in the message with the official moderation decision. Make sure you explain why you believe the decision was incorrect and provide any supporting evidence for your claim.
- If your appeal is rejected but you believe your account has been wrongfully banned, you can will need to escalate the issue via small claims court.
Stay safe on Vinted
While Vinted is a great tool for sustainable shopping and selling, it’s not immune to the usual online marketplace problems. Understanding your consumer rights and knowing how to act quickly can make the difference between a smooth transaction and a stressful one.
Whether you are a buyer or seller, make sure you:
- Always use in-app payments and shipping.
- Read seller reviews before buying.
- Document everything: messages, photos, tracking numbers.
Have you experienced any of serious issues while using Vinted? Let us know via Resolver Stories – where we shine a light on real experiences of people fighting for fairness and their consumer rights.