From Pre-Loved to Profit: Expert Tips for Selling on Vinted

A Vinted seller who has earned over £20,000 on the platform has revealed the brands that consistently offer the best resale value, alongside common pitfalls for those looking to profit from their pre-loved items. The advice comes as Vinted expands its reach, allowing UK sellers to connect with buyers in the US and Australia.

While trends on social media platforms like TikTok can sometimes be fleeting, the profitability of selling secondhand clothing through apps like Vinted appears to be a more enduring trend. The seller, Darryl Hannah Baker, has accumulated significant earnings by selling her family's unwanted items and by sourcing specific pieces for resale.

Top Performing Brands

Baker notes that brand popularity on the resale market can shift. Converse and ME+EM, which once sold quickly, now see less demand. Similarly, items from & Other Stories, Nobody's Child, and Never Fully Dressed have become harder to sell. However, several brands continue to perform well:

• Adidas: While Nike may top some sales polls, Adidas track tops, trousers, jackets, and items with prominent Trefoil branding sell quickly. Retro-looking pieces from the sportswear giant are particularly sought after.

• Zara: The key to selling Zara items is identifying 'blogger' pieces – those that went viral, often due to their Instagram-worthy style. Examples include blazers with distinctive details, crochet jumpers, and animal print co-ords.

• Marks & Spencer: A consistent performer, M&S items, including vintage St. Michael, contemporary M&S, and Per Una collections, are always in demand. Co-ords, in particular, have shown strong resale value, with one red skirt and top combo selling for £35 after being purchased for £6.

• Helmut Lang: This luxury label, typically showcased at New York Fashion Week, has proven to be a quick seller. Even items with minor flaws, such as a pair of men's jeans with an ink stain bought for £1, can fetch a good price, selling for £25.

• Arket: The H&M offshoot is a good source for minimalist, Scandinavian-style pieces. While basic items like T-shirts sell for less, Arket knitwear commands higher prices.

• Toast: This Welsh-founded label is described as a 'gold mine' for its minimalist yet effortlessly cool aesthetic. Items from Toast often gain significant traction on Vinted, selling within 24 hours.

• Trainers and Activewear: Resellers highlight Asics, Hoka, On Cloud, and Nike running/trail models as top trainers. The North Face is also experiencing growth. For activewear, Lululemon performs exceptionally well. Workwear brands like Carhartt and Dickies, and outdoor labels like Berghaus and Mountain Equipment, also sell consistently, especially seasonal items like fleeces and jackets.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Baker also advises caution to avoid common mistakes that can hinder sales:

• Check Sold Prices: Rely on sold listings on platforms like eBay for accurate pricing, rather than just active listings. What an item is listed for is not necessarily what it will sell for.
• Price Appropriately: Avoid overpricing items, especially those with personal attachment. An item's worth is determined by what a buyer is willing to pay. If an item doesn't sell within a week, consider relisting at a lower price.
• Avoid Brand Blindness: Do not assume all items from a popular brand will sell. Consider current fashion trends and styles. For instance, super-skinny jeans are currently out of vogue and harder to sell, regardless of the brand.
• Consider Seasonality: Buying habits change with the seasons. Items popular in warmer months may not sell as well in autumn and winter. Paying attention to calendar dates like holidays can also inform purchasing decisions.

Tax Implications

For those looking to make a profit, understanding tax obligations is crucial. In the UK, HMRC distinguishes between having a clear-out and trading. Buying items specifically to sell for profit is considered trading. Individuals have a £1,000 trading allowance per tax year. If total sales remain under this threshold, no declaration to HMRC is needed. However, exceeding £1,000 requires reporting via Self Assessment. Vinted, eBay, and Depop may share seller information with HMRC if a seller completes 30 or more sales or earns over £1,700. Selling personal items not purchased for resale does not fall under this trading allowance.