5 Fatal Mistakes You're Making When Reselling on Vinted (And How to Avoid Them)
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Not Selling Enough on Vinted? These Are The Reasons
You've set up your Vinted account, taken photos, uploaded items... but the sales aren't coming. Or worse: you're selling, but your margins are so low it's barely worth the effort.
Sound familiar?
After working with hundreds of Vinted resellers across Europe, we see the same mistakes over and over. The good news? These mistakes are easy to avoid once you know what to look for.
In this guide, we'll walk through the 5 biggest mistakes resellers make on Vinted — and more importantly: how to fix them to maximize your sales and profit.
Mistake #1: You Buy Random Items Without Strategy
The problem:
Many beginner resellers buy anything that looks "vintage" or "cheap." A random band tee here, an old sweater there, maybe some jeans. No common thread, no focus, no strategy.
The result? Items that sit for months, capital tied up, and frustration.
Why this kills your profit:
- No recognizable brand identity
- Difficult to build a loyal customer base
- You compete with everyone instead of dominating a niche
- Inconsistent quality damages your reputation
The solution:
Focus on branded items with proven sales records. Nike, Adidas, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger — these aren't random brands, they're money makers on Vinted.
Instead of spending hours searching for random items, work with a reliable supplier who has already pre-selected for sellability. Our Resell Boxes for Starters contain only items that sell fast with good margins.
Pro tip: Choose one category to start with (for example sportswear or polos) and get good at it. If you want to start with the most profitable category, check out our Nike Only collection — only Nike, only profit.
Mistake #2: Your Photos Are Bad (And You Don't Even Know It)
The problem:
You think your photos are "okay." They're sharp enough, you can see the item, done right?
Wrong.
On Vinted, you scroll through hundreds of items per minute. If your photos don't instantly stand out and look professional, buyers simply scroll to the next one.
Common photo mistakes:
- Dark or yellow lighting (no natural light)
- Messy background (bed, floor with stuff)
- Poor styling (item lying wrinkled on the floor)
- No detail shots of labels and condition
- Inconsistent photo style throughout your shop
The solution:
Invest 10 extra minutes per item:
- Photograph in daylight or use a simple lightbox (€20-30)
- Use a neutral background (white sheet, wall, or cardboard)
- Hang items on a hanger or lay them neatly flat
- Take at least 4 photos: front, back, label, detail
- Keep the same style throughout your shop
Bonus tip: Items that look premium sell for premium prices. If you start with quality branded pieces from our Premium Branded Shirt Box, you already have an advantage — the quality speaks for itself.
Mistake #3: You Price Too Low (Or Too High) Because You Don't Know The Market
The problem:
Scenario A: You price a vintage Nike hoodie at €15 because you bought it for €5. It sells within an hour. You think: "Yes, sold!" But you could have asked €35-45.
Scenario B: You see a similar hoodie for €50 and think "then I'll ask €48." But that seller has 500+ reviews and you have 3. Your item doesn't sell.
Both scenarios cost you money.
The solution:
Do market research for each item:
- Search on Vinted for the same brand + item type
- Filter by "sold" to see what items actually sell for
- Check the condition: mint items = premium price, used = discount
- Look at your own review count: fewer reviews = slightly lower price
- Price 10-20% higher than your target to have room for negotiations
Rule of thumb for margins:
- Basic branded items (Adidas, Nike basics): 150-200% markup
- Premium brands (Ralph Lauren, Tommy): 200-300% markup
- Rare/vintage items in perfect condition: 300%+ markup
Want to learn more about smart sourcing and pricing? Read our guide: How to Start Reselling on Vinted (The 2025 Playbook).
Mistake #4: You Waste Hours in Thrift Stores For Minimal Results
The problem:
You're at the thrift store at 9 AM when they open. You dig through racks for 3 hours. You find 2 sellable items for €8 total. You sell them for €35. Profit: €27.
Sounds good? Do the math:
- 3 hours searching + 30 min driving = 3.5 hours
- Gas: €5
- Net profit: €22
- Hourly rate: €6.30
And that's on a good day. Some days you find nothing at all.
The solution:
Stop wasting your time on inefficient sourcing. Wholesale vintage sourcing saves you 10+ hours per week and gives you better margins.
Example with wholesale:
- Order a 10-piece box in 5 minutes online
- Cost: €60-80 (€6-8 per piece)
- Sell for €25-40 per piece = €250-400 revenue
- Profit: €170-320
- Time: 2 hours for photos and listings
- Hourly rate: €85-160
The difference is huge. Want to see the numbers yourself? Read: Why Wholesale Vintage Beats Thrifting (Every Time).
Ready to make the switch? Start with our 10-piece Resell Starter Box and experience the difference yourself.
Mistake #5: You Sell Fakes (Or Items You Can't Guarantee Are Authentic)
The problem:
You buy a "vintage Nike hoodie" at a flea market. The seller says it's real. The label looks... okay? You sell it for €40.
A week later: angry messages, a return, bad review, and your reputation takes a hit.
Why this is deadly for your business:
- Bad reviews scare away future buyers
- Vinted can restrict or close your account
- You lose time and money on returns
- Your reputation is hard to restore
The solution:
Only sell items you're 100% sure are authentic. If you have doubts, don't sell it.
How to recognize authentic vintage?
- Check the tags: older items have specific tag styles
- Inspect the stitching: authentic vintage has quality stitching
- Feel the fabric: real vintage feels heavier and thicker
- Google "[brand] vintage tag guide" for references
Or even better: work with a supplier who guarantees authenticity. All our items are hand-checked before shipping. No fakes, no risk, no hassle.
Bonus Tip: Consistency Is The Key To Success
The biggest mistake? Inconsistency.
You upload 10 items, sell 3, and then stop. Or you source randomly without a system. Or you respond slowly to messages.
Successful Vinted resellers have a system:
- Weekly sourcing (or fixed wholesale deliveries)
- Daily new listings uploaded
- Fast responses to questions (within 2 hours)
- Consistent photo style and branding
- Regular reinvestment of profits
Make it easy for yourself: order regularly from a reliable supplier, so you always have fresh stock without having to search. Check out our complete collection of vintage wholesale boxes.
Summary: Avoid These 5 Mistakes
✗ Mistake #1: Buying random items without strategy → Focus on proven brands
✗ Mistake #2: Bad photos → Invest in good lighting and styling
✗ Mistake #3: Wrong pricing → Do market research and price strategically
✗ Mistake #4: Wasting time in thrift stores → Switch to wholesale
✗ Mistake #5: Selling fakes → Work with verified suppliers
Ready To Do It Right?
Now that you know which mistakes to avoid, it's time to do it right.
Start with quality, authentic branded stock that's proven to sell. Save yourself months of frustration and start immediately with items that make profit.
Discover our resell boxes and start smart →
FAQ: Vinted Resell Mistakes
Q: How many items should I upload to sell consistently?
A: At least 20-30 active listings. The more items, the more visibility and sales.
Q: How fast should I respond to messages?
A: Within 2 hours for the best conversion. Fast responses = more sales.
Q: Should I always accept negotiations?
A: Not always. Price your items 10-20% higher so you have room, but don't accept lowball offers that destroy your margin.
Q: What if an item doesn't sell after 2 weeks?
A: Check your photos, description, and price. Adjust and relist. If it still doesn't sell, it's probably not the right item for Vinted.
Q: Is wholesale really cheaper than thrift stores?
A: Per item you pay slightly more, but you save 10+ hours per week and have better margins. Your hourly rate is 5-10x higher with wholesale.