Vinted Scams: How star-seller Tori was betrayed by the plaform

Online resale platform Vinted has revolutionised the way people buy and sell second-hand goods, offering a convenient and community-driven alternative to traditional marketplaces.

However, as the platform has grown, so too have concerns about buyer protection and the potential for exploitation by dishonest users.

We were recently contacted by Tori, a long-time Vinted member who experienced a deeply troubling case of being scammed. Despite holding a five-star record and 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.

Her story highlights a serious vulnerability in Vinted’s systems: one that leaves honest buyers and sellers exposed, and raises questions about how the platform’s dispute-handling processes and protection policies are applied.

This is Tori’s story…

I’ve been a loyal user of Vinted for several years now, both buying and selling regularly. I’m a 5-star member, always careful with my listings, packaging, and communication. Until recently, I’d never had a single issue but that’s just changed, and it’s completely ruined my trust in the platform.

I bought an item that turned out to be significantly not as described. It wasn’t just a small difference; it was obvious that what I received didn’t match the photos or details in the listing.

After I realised this, I contacted the seller straight away, expecting the issue to be resolved easily. At first, the seller was defensive and quite unpleasant about the situation, but after a bit of back and forth, she reluctantly agreed to issue a refund once I returned the item.

I carefully packed the item back up. I used the same strong postal bag that it had arrived in, making sure it was well sealed and protected. I then sent it and Vinted confirmed that the seller received it. That’s when things took a strange turn.

“Vinted’s handling of this situation has shown me that honest users aren’t protected at all.”

A day later, the seller reported to Vinted that the item had been “damaged in transit.” She provided photos that, to me, looked suspicious; as though the damage had been caused deliberately after she received it. It certainly wasn’t in that condition when I sent it back. I tried to explain this to Vinted and even offered my own proof, but they didn’t seem interested. They reviewed the case and, unbelievably, decided to refund the seller instead.

So now, I’m out of pocket, without the item, and treated as though I’m the one in the wrong despite years of positive history on the platform.

The whole experience has been incredibly disappointing. Vinted’s handling of this situation has shown me that honest users aren’t protected at all. After this, I’ve decided I won’t be using Vinted again. It’s such a shame, but this has completely destroyed my confidence in the platform.

Loopholes to watch out for

Tori’s case is not an isolated incident, As Vinted continues to grow in popularity, it is increasingly becoming a target for scammers who understand how to manipulate its refund and protection mechanisms. While the platform’s rise has made second-hand shopping more accessible than ever, it has also revealed serious gaps in accountability when disputes arise.

Consumers must remain vigilant, documenting every transaction carefully and challenging unfair decisions where possible. More importantly, Vinted itself must take responsibility for ensuring that its systems genuinely protect honest users rather than rewarding those who exploit loopholes for profit.

We will share this story with Vinted’s customer support team and urge them to review their current policies, particularly around dispute resolution and evidence assessment. For now, this story serves as a reminder that even on well-established platforms, buyer protection cannot be taken for granted.

How to protect yourself on Vinted

While Vinted offers convenience and a huge second-hand marketplace, this case shows that its dispute process can sometimes fail honest users. To help protect yourself from similar experiences, here are a few practical steps every buyer and seller should follow:

Keep detailed evidence.
Always photograph items before sending or returning them, including the packaging, address label, and condition of the item inside. These images can be crucial if a dispute arises.
Use tracked delivery and keep proof of postage.
Never send or return an item without a trackable postal method. Keep receipts and tracking information until the transaction is fully closed and confirmed.
Communicate only through the Vinted platform.
Avoid taking conversations off the app. Keeping all communication within Vinted provides a clear record for support staff if something goes wrong.
Act quickly if there’s a problem.
Buyers have a limited time window to report an issue after receiving an item. Don’t delay! Raise a dispute immediately and upload your evidence straight away.
Be aware of refund loopholes.
If a seller insists on a return, make sure you document the process carefully. Some scammers have been known to alter or damage items after receiving them back, then claim compensation. Clear photos and timestamps can help prove your case.
Know your rights beyond Vinted.
If you feel a decision is unfair or a refund wrongly denied, you can escalate the matter. Contact your payment provider (such as your bank or PayPal) to see if chargeback protection applies, and report fraudulent sellers to Vinted and relevant consumer protection bodies.

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