Do I pay return postage on Vinted?

Do I have to pay to return a Vinted item?

For a return under Vinted’s refund policy, yes: the buyer pays the return postage. The same pages say the seller can choose to cover it, including by sending a Vinted-generated return label.

Ask in the order conversation before you post anything back. A message outside Vinted is not the order.

Vinted’s refund policy says buyers pay for return shipping. A seller may choose to cover that cost by providing a Vinted-generated return label. Items must be sent within 5 business days of the seller requesting the return, in the same condition, with accessories, tags, or labels, and packed so the return can travel. If those conditions are not met, Vinted says the request may be disputed or dismissed. If you pay the return postage, the policy says that cost is deducted from the refund. If the return is lost or damaged and was packed properly, Vinted says you will not be charged for the return shipping. Source

What counts as significantly not as described?

Vinted uses “significantly not as described”, often shortened by shoppers to SNAD. People also search for INAD. The help page’s examples include a wrong colour or size, missing parts, damage that was not in the listing, a counterfeit, and a function that does not work as described.

An item that does not fit, or that you no longer want, is outside that list. You can still ask the seller. Vinted says that return is the seller’s choice, unless you bought from a Pro seller and follow that separate flow.

Press “I have an issue” and add photos of the fault, the packaging, and the part that does not match the listing. Read how long you have if the parcel never arrived. That is a different clock.

Vinted’s “significantly not as described” page says this includes a wrong colour, an incorrect size, missing parts or accessories that were not in the listing, a missing bundle item, damage that was not described, a main material that does not match, a counterfeit, another visible flaw that was not detailed, or a function that does not work as described. It says an item you do not like, or that does not fit, is not in that list. Minor differences that do not affect use or look are not in that list either. Source

Vinted’s refund policy says an item that matches its description but does not fit or does not suit you is not eligible for a return or refund under that policy. You can still ask the seller. Vinted says it is the seller’s decision whether to accept that return. Minor differences that do not affect look or use are also outside the policy. Items used a lot, or damaged after a successful delivery, are outside it too. Checking whether something fits or works is allowed. Wearing it or using it a lot, then returning it, is not. Source

How do I raise it in time?

Use the order, not a new chat. Vinted’s refund policy gives 2 calendar days from the notice that the item should have been delivered, or that it seems lost.

If you confirm that you accept the order, or you do nothing, that policy says the payment goes to the seller. The returns page uses the button name “Everything is OK” for the same step.

Keep the packaging. If a return is requested, Vinted says you have 5 business days to send it, with tags and accessories, packed so it can travel.

Vinted’s refund policy says the refund request period starts when Vinted notifies you that the order should have been delivered, or that it seems lost. You have 2 calendar days to report an issue and request a refund. Press “I have an issue” in the conversation. If you do not report in time, or you confirm that you accept the order, Vinted says the payment is sent to the seller and it will not be able to help with a refund. The policy says it applies when buying from standard members, not Pro sellers. After you request a refund, Vinted says the order is suspended and the payment is held safely until the issue is resolved. Source

Vinted’s returns page says you press “I have an issue” within 2 days of the delivery notice. Pressing “Everything is OK”, or missing that time, completes the order and sends the payment to the seller. The seller can offer a partial refund while you keep the item (not for a bundle), a full refund while you keep the order, or a return of the reported item. If only some bundle items are significantly not as described, you return those items, unless they are confirmed counterfeit. If all of them are, you return the whole order. The photos it asks for include damaged parts, damaged packaging, and parts that do not match the listing. If you cannot agree, the page says Vinted aims to reply within 48 hours. A fit or change-of-mind return needs the seller’s agreement. For a Pro seller, the page says you can return for any reason within 14 days of receiving the item. Source

Who has said the rule is unfair?

Vinted’s help page still says the buyer pays the return postage. Separately, The Independent reported that City of London Trading Standards has called the two-day limit and the buyer’s return cost unfair. That is that body’s view, as reported. It is not a change to the help page.

This page does not tell you the outcome of your case. If you and the seller cannot agree, Vinted says its support team reviews the details and decides.

Read does Vinted side with the buyer?, seller protection, and SilentSale® vs Vinted.

The Independent reported that City of London Trading Standards, which oversees Vinted, has said elements of the buyer policy are unfair. The article names the two-day limit for raising an issue and the rule that the buyer covers return costs. The article describes individual reported experiences. It does not publish a win rate. Source

Vinted’s refund policy says that if you have asked the seller for a refund but cannot agree, its support team can help. It says the team reviews the case and the details available, then decides what should happen next. Source

What if I would rather inspect before I pay the postage risk?

On a posted order you are relying on photos and the courier. For a local sale, SilentSale® uses PIN Pickup: the buyer pays in the app, inspects the item, then shares a 6-digit PIN. There is no cash. The PIN is acceptance, so there is no dispute after it.

SilentSale® is a UK marketplace. Buyer and seller each contribute £0.30 + 3% of the item price to SilentCover® (£0.60 each on a £10 item), a discretionary protection service. Stripe processes the payment and holds the funds until completion. Tracked Shipping has a 72-hour window to report an issue after delivery. Read sell locally without cash.

Stripe processes payments and holds funds until the order completes.

PIN Pickup is an in-person handover. The buyer inspects the item before sharing their six-digit PIN; the seller enters it in the app to complete the order. The PIN is acceptance. There is no shipping, tracking or post-handover dispute window.

For Shipping, report problems within 72 hours after confirmed delivery, or the collection scan for a locker or parcel-shop order. Confirming receipt closes the window early, so inspect first.