How Vinted became the most lawless place on the internet
How Vinted became the most lawless place on the internet
Share:
As more of us virtually flock to online marketplaces to buy second-hand clothing, Ellie Muir writes that people on these sites have no boundaries whatsoever. When a mystery package encased inside a Pampers wrapper arrived on Sophie’s doorstep, she wondered if it was someone’s idea of a joke. Or, depending on what was inside, if she’d run afoul of her worst enemy. No, she quickly discovered: it was actually the second-hand T-shirt she’d bought off Vinted. Just, for some reason, wrapped as confusingly as possible.
![[‘The fact that these transactions take place online, and without any face-to-face interaction, means there isn’t much to discourage people from behaving poorly, or making up a lie to excuse their bad service’]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/10/07/15/vintedlogo.jpg)
Think of Vinted as a modernised, mobile app version of eBay, where you can barter with strangers over pre-owned clothes and accessories. Sounds easy, right? If only it were that straightforward. Everyone who’s used the app will have at least one bizarre tale, like the buyer who received second-hand jewellery inside a Fruit Shoot bottle, or another whose parcel was delayed as the seller was too “distraught” over Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury’s breakup to mail it on time. Some have even encountered dirty socks for sale for £5 a pop.
![[In the UK, consumers spent £2.4bn on second-hand clothes and shoes last year, with around half of them buying something pre-worn]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/10/07/16/shutterstock_editorial_12634415g.jpg)
I have received passive-aggressive ALL CAPS messages from a disgruntled buyer annoyed that the parcel didn’t arrive in time for their special occasion – this despite the fact that I have no control over the several delivery companies that Vinted operates with. I’ve had someone claim that the item I sent was filled with holes, even though I sent it in perfect condition. In another instance, a prospective buyer complained that I didn’t reply to their messages quickly enough, so bombarded me with endless “?????” until I did.
Share:
More for You
Top Followed
You Might Also Like
