Brief
Vinted sellers allege unfair bans after disputed sales
Sellers say Vinted’s automated dispute system leaves them out of pocket and without a chance to appeal.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Vinted users have raised concerns that the second‑hand marketplace bans accounts and refunds buyers without providing clear evidence, according to a report by the Guardian.
What happened
Catherine Warrilow, a 47‑year‑old seller from Oxford, posted a Zara necklace for £6. The buyer claimed the parcel arrived empty, and Vinted refunded the buyer while leaving Warrilow to bear the loss. Warrilow says she supplied Ring doorbell footage and photos of the package, but Vinted responded only with vague statements about “our evidence”.
Another seller, identified only as Maggie, reported that Vinted deemed a pair of Birkenstock shoes counterfeit, refunded the buyer and permanently closed her account despite her providing purchase receipts and photographs.
What the reports add
The Guardian notes that Vinted processed €10.8 billion (£9.1 billion) in goods in 2025, a 47 % rise on the previous year, generating €1.1 billion in revenue and a €62 million profit while operating in 26 markets. Consumer expert Martyn James says he has been “flooded” with messages from sellers accused of selling counterfeit items and having their accounts frozen, attributing the problem partly to automated dispute handling.
What was said
“I challenged Vinted on what evidence they had and asked them to supply it, but they simply said ‘based on our evidence’ and ‘our evidence suggests’ and could not explain what that was,” Warrilow told the Guardian.
“What upset me the most was not just the financial loss, but the feeling that my evidence was never properly considered,” Maggie said.
Martyn James said the issue “has been bubbling away for a while” and linked it to the platform’s use of AI in dispute resolution.
How it came about
Warrilow, who has used Vinted for five years, launched a survey on her website Sad Vinted Faces after experiencing multiple disputes. Within two days, hundreds responded, and the site now lists more than 6,400 cases. The growing backlash reflects broader seller frustration with Vinted’s automated systems, which the platform has expanded alongside its shipping and payments services.
Key facts
- Vinted processed €10.8 billion (£9.1 billion) in goods in 2025, a 47 % increase on the previous year. (theguardian.com)
- Catherine Warrilow claims Vinted refunded a buyer for a missing Zara necklace without providing evidence. (theguardian.com)
- Seller Maggie says Vinted labeled her Birkenstock shoes as counterfeit and closed her account despite proof of purchase. (theguardian.com)
- Consumer expert Martyn James reports a surge in seller complaints about frozen accounts and counterfeit accusations. (theguardian.com)
- Warrilow’s Sad Vinted Faces survey has collected over 6,400 complaints within days of launch. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “‘No real sense of appeal’: Vinted sellers complain of unfair account ‘bans’”
