College students are known for several things, such as: sleeping way too late, eating way too much, drinking on the weekdays and being absolutely broke. We are constantly complaining about how we have no money to spend on anything. Well, here’s a simple way to earn some quick cash and do a little spring cleaning as well.
Vinted is a website and a smart phone app that people can use to sell their secondhand clothing. Their website states, “It’s our mission to make secondhand clothing the best and easiest choice. You liked those shoes enough to buy them — someone else will, too. Save them from the landfill and earn yourself some cash. What’s not to love?”
However, this website and app not only allows people to sell their clothing online but it can also be used to buy clothing from other sellers. Alex D’Errico, a senior social work major, said that Vinted made her think of Ebay or a consignment shop. “… I use Ebay so maybe I’d look into something like this. It depends what I was looking for,” she said.
Kristine Simoes, a specialist professor of communication, has never heard of Vinted before. She said, “I think it’s a fabulous idea if there’s ease of use. Ebay is an outdated business model for items below a certain value. Plus people don’t want the hassles of setting up an account, financial info, paypal, etc. to make $4 on a Hollister hoodie. But if you could bundle items, save on shipping, etc. it might be worth it.”
Vinted has a similar concept as a consignment shop except Vinted allows users to shop and sell without ever leaving the comfort of their own bed or having to lug around a huge bag of clothing from shop to shop.
Jenn Pacheco, a senior psychology major, has her own profile on Vinted. “[Vinted is comparable] to apps like Poshmark or even Twice, so anyone looking to shop frugally can now thrift [shop] right from their phone,” she said.
Kelsey Carlsen, who is leading the U.S. Vinted team in San Francisco, CA, explained that Vinted is in fact different from other websites, apps and shops alike. “What really sets us apart from our competitors is the ‘community feel’ that we nurture,” she said. “Vinted isn’t just a marketplace, it’s also a social network and place for inspiration. We encourage our members to get to know one another through forums and private messaging …”
If someone is interested in selling their clothing, there are a few simple steps that must be done. First, you must create a profile. Then you take a picture of the item you want to sell, post it on your profile and it is now available to be bought.
Vinted has a chat feature that lets buyers and sellers communicate directly. This allows questions about shipment or anything else to be answered immediately. There is also a “forum” feature that enables anyone on the website to interact with each other, whether it’s about the products or just getting to know one another.
Once an item is bought, the buyer pays through the app. However, the buyer is not charged once the purchase is made. According to Vinted’s website, buyers are not charged until the item is delivered and the buyer confirms that the item is in good condition.
Even though Vinted also has a website, 75 percent of its business happens through the app, according to venturebeat.com.
Pacheco said, “… I’ve made a little over $100 in a month just selling things I would never use or wear,” she said. “It was the first time I tried an app like that but was relieved to find that it was easy to understand and get the hang of …”
D’Errico believes that Vinted could be beneficial to anyone trying to make some money on the side.
Simoes said she would use Vinted if it was convenient for her. “We go through a ton of clothes, shoes, [and] athletic equipment [at] my house that I bag seasonally. I end up just giving it to Goodwill or I put it in those dumpsters outside the Target. I don’t think to try to recoup money off of it or anything,” she said.
Vinted actually started five years ago as a side project in Lithuania, according to Carlsen.
Justas Januaskas, the CEO and founder of Vinted, said in a recent article in TechCrunch, “Initially it was designed to be a website where girls in Vilnius could swap or sell mid-priced clothes from brands like Zara and H&M. But with an early angel investment from Lithuanian serial entrepreneur Mantas Mikuckas, who joined as chief operating officer, the company personalized and grew its European presence.”
According to Carlsen, Vinted is present in France, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania and the U.S. She also said that this week they just launched their website and mobile app in the U.K.
Vinted offers various categories that people can shop/sell under. The categories are under the “catalog” tab and they are: pants, blazers, accessories, footwear, tops and t-shirts, pullovers and sweaters, outwear, dresses, skirts, shorts and capris, other clothing and see all.
Selling slightly used clothing is a fast and easy way for anyone to make some extra money along with making extra space in your closet.
IMAGE TAKEN from Vinted mobile app
