How I Earn £300 Monthly from My Wardrobe
As a Gen Xer (borderline Millenial), the concept of secondhand — or preloved as it’s more affectionately known these days — conjures up thoughts of charity shops and musty-smelling paisley shirts.
Those days are long gone.
Enter the rapid rise of peer-to-peer marketplaces. Secondhand platforms like Vinted, Depop and Vestiare Collective have gained popularity and become go to destinations for turning your old clothes into cash as well as picking up bargains on a budget.
In today’s world of uncertainty, the cost-of-living crisis and focus on sustainability have created a massive shift in the way we view secondhand. It’s now considered quite cool to shop preloved and sell preloved — this nugget of wisdom is from a rather reliable source, my 13-year-old daughter. All her friends shop on Vinted. This is a generation of savvy shoppers thinking about their pocket and the planet. So smart are they that you could almost forgive their TikTok obsession.
I said almost.
Circular fashion is where it’s at and we are just at the start of something very, very big.
Vinted, Depop, eBay, and Vestiare Collective — to name a few — are all growing rapidly in popularity. Online marketplaces have provided us with the ability to host car boot sales from the comfort of our sofa and mobile phone.
Benefits of Selling on Vinted: Transforming Clutter into Cash
In the preloved world, there are those that buy, those that sell and those that do both. I currently fall into the selling-only category. This is simply because, I hate to admit, I have a lot of stuff.
I have too much stuff.
I also have four children, and they have a lot of stuff too. Probably more necessary than mine, but nonetheless, it accumulates.
Clearing out our wardrobes can be therapeutic, but it can also be surprisingly lucrative. Selling on sites like Vinted can even become a side hustle if you put your mind to it. I have made £200/£300 a month on average from clearing out my clothes, shoes, and bags and selling items that my kids have outgrown — even their old football boots! Vinted has been a game-changer in terms of both decluttering and earning potential.
Having dipped my toes into the world of Vinted last year I must admit I’ve become a little obsessed. For me, Vinted trumps all the other re-selling platforms. I have had far more success with it than Depop or Vestiaire Collective.
It can take a bit of time to learn the ropes and find your feet, so I want to share some tips and tricks that I have learned along the way to get your preloved pieces sold and help maximise those all-important 5-star reviews.
Tips & Tricks for Maximising Sales on Vinted
1. Quality Photos: Invest time in taking clear, well-lit photos of your items. Clean your camera lens! Showcase multiple angles and include close-ups of any details or flaws. High-quality images grab attention and increase the likelihood of a sale.
2. Detailed Descriptions: Be honest and descriptive in your item descriptions. Include key details such as brand, size, condition, and any imperfections. Transparency builds trust with buyers and reduces the chances of returns or negative feedback. If it’s got a flaw, highlight it! There is no point pretending the item is perfect as the buyer will find out the truth eventually.
3. Competitive Pricing: Research similar items on Vinted to gauge their selling prices. Price your items competitively to attract potential buyers while still ensuring a fair return for yourself. Consider offering bundle deals or discounts for multiple purchases to incentivise buyers. This is one I don’t always follow to the letter because the condition of your item may be far better than someone else who sold it for less. Think about what you will be happy to accept, if you aren’t in a rush then you can wait for the right buyer and price to come along.
4. Regular Updates: Keep your Vinted profile and listings up to date. Refresh your listings regularly by adding new items and adjusting prices. This increases visibility and engagement with your listings. If something isn’t getting views or likes, then consider lowering the price a little. Most people on Vinted are hoping for a bargain. It’s always best to start with a price slightly higher than you would accept so you are happy to negotiate if the situation arises. I’ve had some shocking offers, borderline insulting really, but I can play the game too. I stick it out and usually end up with a price I’m happy with. If they want it, they will buy it. Or someone else will. So don’t panic! And don’t feel pressured into accepting low offers if you don’t want to. You, as the seller, call the shots on your prices.
5. Engage with Buyers: Respond promptly to messages from potential buyers. Provide additional information or photos if requested. Customer experience is everything where reviews are concerned. It doesn’t take much to be helpful and polite. It will most likely translate into a sale with a positive review which is the whole point.
6. Packaging & Shipping: Take care when packaging items for shipment to ensure they arrive in pristine condition. Use appropriate packaging materials — I save up delivery boxes I have received to reuse — as long as they are strong and in good condition.
Consider adding a personal touch. An inexpensive roll of Thank You stickers and white tissue paper from Amazon to wrap the items before placing them in the packages can make all the difference. This has been so well received, that nearly all my reviews mentioned how their items were beautifully packaged. Small touches like this go a long way and don’t forget to send the item as soon as possible after it’s been sold. Nobody likes to wait. Remember, we live in a time of instant gratification so the sooner the buyer receives their purchase the happier they will be.
Above all, success on Vinted comes down to this: what would you want if you were the buyer?
Think like a Buyer for Successful Sales
Would you click on a photo of a crumpled-up t-shirt on a dirty floor? Or wait forever for your purchase to arrive? Of course not! So always put yourself in the buyer’s shoes.
Selling on Vinted is not just about decluttering your wardrobe or making some extra cash; it’s also about embracing sustainability and contributing to a greener planet — although, let’s be real, the extra cash is welcome.
