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How to Sell on Vinted: Complete Guide for Beginners 2025

By PLOTT DATA Research Team
Published April 3, 2025

Executive Summary

Step-by-step guide to selling secondhand fashion on Vinted. Learn about account setup, photography tips, pricing strategies, shipping, and how to become a top-rated seller in Europe's largest secondhand marketplace.

Introduction: Why Sell on Vinted?

Vinted has revolutionized secondhand fashion selling with 75+ million members across Europe and the US. Unlike competitors, Vinted charges sellers ZERO fees, making it one of the most profitable platforms for selling preloved clothing. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to start and succeed on Vinted in 2025.

Getting Started: Account Setup

Step 1: Download and Create Account

  • Platform: Mobile app (iOS/Android) - better experience than web
  • Registration: Email, Facebook, Google, or Apple sign-in
  • Profile photo: Use a friendly, clear photo (not required but builds trust)
  • Bio: Brief description of what you sell and shipping practices

Step 2: Verify Your Account

  • Email verification: Required to start selling
  • Phone number: Recommended for better security
  • Bank account: Add for instant withdrawals (varies by country)
  • Payment methods: Accept Vinted Wallet, credit cards, PayPal

Step 3: Configure Settings

  • Location: Set accurate city/region for local buyer preferences
  • Notification preferences: Enable for offers and messages
  • Privacy settings: Choose who can see your activity
  • Vacation mode: Pause listings when you can't ship

Preparing Items to Sell

What to Sell on Vinted

Best-Selling Categories

  • Women's clothing: 70% of marketplace
  • Sneakers: High demand, quick turnover
  • Designer handbags: Premium pricing
  • Men's streetwear: Growing category
  • Kids clothing: Parents love preloved deals

What NOT to Sell

  • Counterfeit items (immediate ban)
  • Used underwear and swimwear (health regulations)
  • Items with visible stains or damage (unless disclosed)
  • Non-fashion items (tech, homeware - use other platforms)

Prepare Your Items

Cleaning and Presentation

  • Wash everything: Freshly laundered items sell 40% faster
  • Iron or steam: Wrinkle-free = professional appearance
  • Lint roll: Remove pet hair and dust
  • Check for damage: Note any flaws you'll disclose
  • Remove personal items: Check all pockets

Gather Measurements

Critical for high-value items and better-fitting descriptions:

  • Tops: Chest width, length, shoulder width, sleeve length
  • Bottoms: Waist, hips, inseam, rise
  • Dresses: Bust, waist, hips, length
  • Shoes: Insole length in cm (more accurate than size)

Photography: The Most Important Factor

Equipment Needed

  • Smartphone: Modern phones are perfect (no fancy camera needed)
  • Natural light: Near window or outdoors (avoid flash)
  • Plain background: White wall, wooden floor, or neutral bedding
  • Optional: Ring light for consistent lighting

Photography Best Practices

Photo Setup

  • Lighting: Daylight hours, avoid direct sun (too harsh)
  • Background: Solid color, clutter-free, neutral tones
  • Angle: Straight-on for flat lays, 45° for on-body shots
  • Fill the frame: Item should occupy 80% of photo

Photo Checklist (Use All 20 Slots)

  1. Main photo: Full item, best angle, most appealing
  2. Front view: Straight-on, entire item visible
  3. Back view: Show back design, closures
  4. On-body: How it fits (dresses, jeans essential)
  5. Detail shots: Fabric texture, patterns, unique features
  6. Brand tag: Proves authenticity
  7. Size tag: Shows exact size
  8. Care label: Material composition
  9. Any flaws: Stains, holes, wear (build trust)
  10. Bonus angles: Flat lay, styled, hanging

💡 Pro Tip: The First Photo is Everything

70% of buyers decide to click based on the main photo alone. Make it count: great lighting, item centered, and eye-catching presentation.

Flat Lay vs On-Body: When to Use Each

Use Flat Lays For:

  • T-shirts, sweaters, tops
  • Accessories (bags, jewelry, belts)
  • Kids clothing
  • Items with patterns or graphics

Use On-Body Shots For:

  • Dresses (shows fit and length)
  • Jeans (shows how they fit)
  • Fitted jackets and coats
  • High-value items (increases buyer confidence)

Writing Effective Listings

Title Best Practices

What to Include

  • Brand: Always first (unless unknown brand)
  • Item type: Be specific (e.g., "crop top" not just "top")
  • Key features: Color, pattern, style
  • Size: Include in title for search visibility

Title Examples

Good: "Zara Black Faux Leather Jacket Size M"

Better: "Zara Black Faux Leather Biker Jacket Size M Oversized Fit"

Bad: "Jacket" or "Black jacket M"

Description Best Practices

Essential Information

  • Condition: Be brutally honest (builds trust)
  • Material: From care label or your knowledge
  • Fit: True to size, oversized, runs small?
  • Measurements: For high-value items
  • Flaws: ANY imperfections, no matter how small
  • Context: "Worn once" vs "regularly worn for 2 years"

Description Template

[Brand] [Item Type] in [Color/Pattern]
Size: [Listed Size]
Fits: [True to size / Oversized / Small]
Condition: [New with tags / Like new / Good / Signs of wear]
Material: [Cotton / Polyester / etc.]

[Detailed description of the item, styling suggestions]

Measurements:
- Chest: X cm
- Length: X cm
- [Other relevant measurements]

Flaws: [None / List any flaws with photo reference]

Worn: [Number of times or frequency]

Happy to answer questions! 😊

Categorization and Tags

Accurate Categorization is Critical

  • Main category: Women/Men/Kids
  • Subcategory: Clothing/Shoes/Accessories
  • Item type: Be as specific as possible
  • Brand: Search and select from list (or "Other")
  • Size: Use standardized Vinted sizes
  • Color: Primary color of the item
  • Condition: Honest assessment

Pricing Strategy

Research Market Prices

How to Find Optimal Price

  1. Search similar items: Same brand, type, and condition
  2. Filter by "Sold": See what actually sells, not asking prices
  3. Note price range: Identify low, mid, and high prices
  4. Consider condition: Adjust for your item's state
  5. Check recent sales: Last 30 days most relevant

Pricing Formula by Category

General Pricing Guidelines

  • Fast fashion (Zara, H&M): 20-40% of retail
  • Mid-tier (COS, &Other Stories): 40-60% of retail
  • Premium (Sandro, Maje): 50-70% of retail
  • Designer (authentic): 60-80% of retail
  • Vintage/rare: Market-dependent, can exceed retail

Pricing Psychology

  • €19 vs €20: Ending in 9 increases appeal
  • Leave room for offers: Price 10-15% above target
  • Bundle discounts: Encourage multi-item purchases
  • Seasonal pricing: Discount off-season items

Shipping on Vinted

How Shipping Works

  • Buyer pays shipping: Calculated by Vinted based on weight
  • Prepaid label: Vinted provides label after sale
  • Shipping options: Varies by country (InPost, Royal Mail, etc.)
  • Tracking: Automatic for both parties

Shipping Methods by Country

UK

  • Royal Mail: Standard option
  • Evri (Hermes): Drop-off or pickup
  • InPost Lockers: 24/7 drop-off convenience

France

  • Mondial Relay: Point relais network
  • La Poste: National postal service

Germany

  • DHL: Primary carrier
  • Hermes: Alternative option

Packaging Tips

Materials Needed

  • Poly mailers: Cheapest option for clothing (€0.10-0.30 each)
  • Cardboard boxes: For shoes, bags, or multiple items
  • Tissue paper: Makes unboxing feel premium
  • Thank you cards: Encourages positive reviews
  • Tape: Strong packing tape

Packaging Best Practices

  • Protect from moisture: Use plastic mailers or wrap in plastic
  • Secure properly: No items falling out during shipping
  • Professional appearance: Clean packaging, no reused boxes
  • Include thank you note: "Thank you for your purchase! Enjoy 😊"
  • Ship within 5 days: Vinted requires shipping within 5 business days

Managing Sales and Communication

Handling Offers

When to Accept

  • 10-15% below asking: Reasonable, likely accept
  • Item listed 2+ weeks: More flexible on price
  • Bundle deals: Accept lower per-item price for volume
  • Clearing inventory: Accept lower offers to move stock

When to Decline or Counter

  • Lowball offers (40%+ off): Politely decline or counter
  • Just listed: Wait for better offers
  • High-demand item: Hold out for asking price
  • Counter-offer: Meet in the middle

Responding to Messages

Common Questions and Answers

Q: "Does this fit true to size?"

A: "Yes, it's true to size! I'm usually a size M and it fit perfectly. I've included measurements in the description if you'd like to double-check 😊"


Q: "Can you do €X?"

A: "I can meet you at €Y [counter-offer]. Would that work for you?"


Q: "Any flaws?"

A: "No flaws! It's in excellent condition. Happy to send additional photos if you'd like 📸"

After the Sale

Checklist

  1. Print shipping label: From Vinted app/email
  2. Package item: Professional, secure packaging
  3. Mark as shipped: In Vinted app after drop-off
  4. Wait for delivery: Typically 2-5 business days
  5. Buyer confirms receipt: Payment released to you
  6. Leave review: Rate buyer (optional but encouraged)

Growing Your Vinted Business

Building Reputation

Get Positive Reviews

  • Fast shipping: Ship within 24-48 hours
  • Accurate descriptions: No surprises = happy buyers
  • Good communication: Respond within 12 hours
  • Professional packaging: Tissue paper + thank you note
  • Fair pricing: Don't overcharge

Scaling Strategies

1. Source Inventory

  • Thrift stores: €3-5 cost, sell for €15-30
  • Outlet malls: End-of-season sales at 70% off
  • Wholesalers: Bulk secondhand clothing lots
  • Friends/family: Offer to sell their unwanted items for commission

2. Optimize Listings

  • List 20+ items: More inventory = more visibility
  • Refresh regularly: Bump listings every 2 weeks
  • Use all categories: Women, men, kids if you have inventory
  • Bundle items: "Buy 3 get 10% off" in bio

3. Specialize in a Niche

  • Vintage band tees: High margins, cult following
  • Y2K fashion: Trending with Gen Z
  • Designer bags: High-value transactions
  • Sustainable brands: Growing market
  • Plus-size: Underserved demographic

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Top 10 Seller Mistakes

  1. Poor photos: Dark, blurry, or messy backgrounds
  2. Overpricing: Not researching sold items
  3. Hiding flaws: Leads to returns and bad reviews
  4. Slow shipping: Waiting too long to ship
  5. Bad packaging: Items arrive damaged
  6. Ignoring messages: Losing sales from poor communication
  7. Wrong categorization: Items don't show up in searches
  8. Vague descriptions: Too brief or missing key details
  9. Not refreshing: Stale listings get buried
  10. Listing everything: Quality over quantity for beginners

Fees and Earnings

Vinted's Free Selling Model

  • Seller fees: €0 (Vinted charges buyers instead)
  • Listing fees: €0 (unlimited free listings)
  • Payment processing: €0 (included)
  • What you earn: 100% of the sale price

How Vinted Makes Money

  • Buyer Protection Fee: 3-8% paid by buyer
  • Shipping markup: Small margin on shipping labels
  • Premium features: Bump listings, promoted closets (optional)

Earnings Example

Monthly Earnings Potential

Casual Seller (5-10 items/month)

  • Average price: €15
  • Monthly sales: €75-150
  • Time investment: 2-3 hours/week

Active Seller (30-50 items/month)

  • Average price: €18
  • Monthly sales: €540-900
  • Time investment: 10-15 hours/week

Power Seller (100+ items/month)

  • Average price: €20
  • Monthly sales: €2,000+
  • Time investment: 20-30 hours/week (part-time job)

Track Your Vinted Performance with PLOTT DATA

Optimize your Vinted selling strategy with marketplace intelligence:

  • Pricing insights: Optimal prices by brand and category
  • Trending items: See what's selling fastest
  • Competition analysis: Identify underserved niches
  • Seasonal trends: When to list specific categories
  • Brand performance: Which brands command premium prices

Final Tips for Success

  • Start small: List 10-20 items to learn the process
  • Be patient: Building reputation takes time
  • Stay consistent: List new items weekly
  • Learn from sales: Note what sells fast vs slow
  • Engage with community: Like and follow other sellers
  • Seasonal strategy: List items 4-6 weeks before peak season
  • Professional mindset: Treat it like a business, even if hobby
  • Continuous improvement: Always refine photos and descriptions

Get Vinted Data

Access real-time pricing, inventory, and market intelligence for vinted. Track your competitors and optimize your strategy with comprehensive marketplace data.

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