Vinted is a free app that allows people to sell second-hand items and clothes, and in the last 12 months I have made an incredible £533 by selling my old clothes on there
As the new year is here, many of us will be making resolutions to declutter our homes and embrace a simpler lifestyle. Over the past year, I’ve been on a similar journey, striving to rid my cupboards of old items that are merely occupying space.
One of the primary areas I targeted during my decluttering spree was my wardrobe. I have a bad habit of clinging onto clothes long after I’ve stopped wearing them – either because I harbour hopes of slimming down enough to fit back into dresses I’ve owned since my teens, or because I’m sentimentally attached to an item of clothing that’s seen better days.
However, with a new baby and space in our terraced house at a premium, it was crucial that I managed to declutter. That’s how I discovered Vinted, a second-hand selling app that allows sellers to list their old items and dispatch them without any fees.
The buyer covers all postage and insurance costs, and there’s no limit to the quantity you can sell on the app. Over the past year, I’ve made an impressive £533 by selling my old clothes on Vinted, which provided a much-needed financial boost during my maternity leave.
I’m thrilled with the amount I’ve earned on the app – but my side hustle almost faltered before it even began, all due to one challenging lesson I had to learn, reports the Liverpool Echo.
I initially priced my items on the app based on what I paid for them and what I believed they were worth. However, this was a mistake.
Vinted has a feature that shows you the price of similar items being sold on the app, giving you an idea of how to set your prices. When I saw the suggested prices for some of my items, I was shocked.
Designer items in excellent condition were being sold at incredibly low prices, and it felt wrong to part with such high-quality items for such a measly sum. I listed my items at the prices I thought they deserved, and firmly rejected any offers from buyers suggesting a lower price.
Consequently, my items sat on the app for months without a single sale, because I was too stubborn to lower my prices. It took me some time to understand that just because something had a certain retail price doesn’t mean you can expect to get that as a re-seller.
Ultimately, the items are worthless if they’re just sitting in your wardrobe not being worn or sold. So, I finally decided to swallow my pride and list my items at the prices suggested by the app.
I immediately saw a surge in sales and my Vinted balance started to grow.
Some of the prices I’ve managed to sell items for are, frankly, absurd, with products listed for as little as £1 on my profile. However, these small sales accumulate gradually, and if you keep the balance in your Vinted account until you reach a target amount, you’ll see a significant difference when you finally cash out.
There have been some sales that have truly pained me – including a Harrods scarf with an RRP of £30 still with its tags on which went for £10, and a Sister Jane dress that cost me over £100 which was sold for £20. But every time I cringe at the price I’m listing a cherished item for, I remind myself it is simply worthless sitting in my cupboard, and I need to come to terms with the price-per-wear I’ve had for the item.
One of the reasons I adore Vinted as a buyer is because I can snag some incredible items for a bargain price – and I just need to accept that this is still true as a seller. People are shopping on the app to get a bargain, so I should provide them one.