The most common scams on Vinted :
Founded in 2008 and launched in France in 2013, Vinted is now the number 1 platform for buying and selling second-hand clothes. Vinted has 65 million users worldwide. However, the platform is prone to several types of scam, each more elaborate than the last. So it's important to be aware of them before you join these millions of users, so that you can avoid them. In this article, we reveal three of the most common scams on Vinted, along with our tips for avoiding them.
Counterfeiting :
From trainers to clothes to bags, many users are selling luxury goods on the platform. Unfortunately, some sellers offer disguised items. They make you think you're looking at the item of your dreams, when in fact you're looking at a counterfeit. So make sure you have all the information you need about the authenticity of the product before you buy.
Tips to avoid counterfeiting :
The first thing to do to avoid this type of scam is to compare the photos in the advert with the photos of the product on the brand's official website. Sometimes there is a glaring difference - a logo that's too big, a font that's too thin and so on.
Also pay attention to the seller's customer reviews. Sometimes it's not the first time that these sellers have ripped off buyers. Reviews are a good way of checking the seller's reliability.
Also check the seller's dressing room and, more specifically, the other luxury clothes they are selling. See if the other items look authentic to you.
In our magazine, we reveal our tips for spotting and avoiding counterfeits on a wide range of luxury products, including Prada bags, Hermès bracelets and Kenzo tiger sweaters.
The misleading photo:
Some of the millions of users of Vinted use it to get rid of their items. They may even lie about the condition and size of their product in order to sell it more quickly. Sellers keep their items vague to sell them more quickly.
Tips to avoid misleading photos :
First of all, look carefully at the item's label. If you can't see it on the photos, ask for it. You'll be able to access a lot of information about the size and brand of the item. Make sure that the information on the label is the same as on the advert. This kind of detail also says a lot about the seller's reliability.
Don't hesitate to ask for additional photos to see the item from other angles and in different lights to get a true idea of its true colour.
For any type of accessory (bag, ring, necklace), ask for the dimensions to make sure they meet your expectations.
The deceptive profile :
Always check your seller's profile. The Vinted platform offers a system of ratings and reviews to give you an idea of the seller's reliability. This is an essential step, as it will help you avoid wasting time and getting ripped off.
Tips to avoid a strange profile :
The seller cannot remove the reviews that buyers and Vinted have posted about him, so this is a good indication of reliability.
Check that there are no notices of counterfeiting, misleading descriptions, damaged items or cancelled shipments. These are all signs that the seller's profile is not very reliable.
Secure all your transactions on Vinted with Obvy :
If you want to conduct transactions, sales and/or purchases, between private individuals in complete security, choose Obvy. Obvy is a payment method that is 100% made in France and was initially designed to eradicate online scams between individuals. Today, Obvy is extending its service to professionals.
If you are starting a transaction on Vinted and you are wondering how to make it secure, all you have to do is create an Obvy account and invite the person you are dealing with to do the same in order to complete your transaction and settle it securely with Obvy. This will enable you to benefit from all the Obvy services that guarantee a secure transaction between private individuals.
