Vinted dispute as a seller: how to defend yourself step by step

In a Vinted dispute, the seller has 14 days from when the order is suspended to contest the buyer's claim. To defend yourself, reply quickly and politely, gather your evidence (photos of the item, of the sealed parcel, the drop-off receipt, the original listing) and send it to support if you can't reach an agreement.

You'll see how a dispute unfolds, what Vinted does and doesn't count as "not as described", the evidence to start keeping today, and a step-by-step method for each situation.

How does a Vinted dispute work?

A dispute starts when the buyer clicks "I have a problem" after delivery. The order is then suspended and the payment stays held by the payment provider until it's resolved.

The official deadlines are short, and they matter:

• 2 days after delivery: the buyer's window to report a problem. After that, or if they've clicked "Everything is OK", the order is completed. According to Vinted's refund policy, no refund is possible after that.
• 14 days after suspension: your deadline to contest if you disagree, according to Vinted's page on suspended orders.
• 5 working days: if a return is accepted, the buyer's deadline to send the item back.
• 2 days after receiving the return: your deadline to check the returned item and confirm everything is OK.

What counts as "item not as described" on Vinted?

This is at the heart of most disputes. According to Vinted's page on items not as described, an item is significantly not as described when it doesn't match its description or photos: wrong colour, wrong size, missing parts, unmentioned damage (stain, tear, breakage), different material, counterfeit or not working.

On the other hand, Vinted states that the following don't count as not as described:

• an item the buyer doesn't like or that doesn't suit them;
• minor differences that don't affect use.

That distinction is your best defence. A buyer who writes "the size doesn't fit me" when the label matches the listing isn't in a not-as-described situation. A buyer who discovers a stain you didn't mention is.

What evidence should you keep to defend yourself?

Evidence is prepared before the sale, not during the dispute. Once the parcel has gone, it's too late to photograph what was inside.

Vinted itself recommends, in its page on suspended orders, keeping the shipping receipt until the sale is complete and photographing the parcel and its packaging before sending. On top of that, add:

• The original listing: photos, description, stated size, flaws mentioned. Take a screenshot if you might edit it.
• A photo of the item just before packing, with the size label visible and any flaws clearly shown.
• A photo of the sealed parcel with the label stuck on.
• The carrier's drop-off receipt.
• The messages exchanged with the buyer, which stay in your Vinted inbox.

Example: a buyer reports that a jumper has a hole in it. If your listing showed a close-up of the jumper without a hole and your photo before packing shows the same area intact, you have grounds to contest. Without those photos, it's their word against yours.

What should you do when a buyer opens a dispute?

Most disputes are settled through a calm exchange in the inbox. Follow this method in order.

Should you accept the return or contest it?

It all depends on how strong your case is and what the item is worth. Here's a grid to help you decide quickly.

Who pays for the return in a Vinted dispute?

According to Vinted's page on returns, the buyer pays the return costs, unless you agree otherwise. Once the item has been sent back, you have 2 days to confirm everything is OK. After that, the buyer's refund is triggered.

Why does replying quickly change everything?

A buyer who opens a dispute is often worried. If they hear nothing for two days, they dig their heels in, harden their messages and head for support faster. A calm, precise reply within the hour defuses a good share of conflicts.

The problem is that disputes arrive at the worst moments: while you're at work, asleep, or juggling several accounts at once. An important message buried among ten "best price?" requests can go unanswered for a whole day, and a 14-day deadline passes faster than you'd think.

Keeping an eye on several inboxes so you don't miss a dispute is exactly what wears you down as volume grows. Revendor brings the inboxes of all your Vinted accounts into one place, and its AI agent can answer routine questions so you can keep your attention on the tricky conversations.

How do you avoid disputes before they happen?

The best defence is still a precise listing. Most disputes come from a gap between what the buyer imagined and what they receive.

Show the flaws. A sharp photo of a small stain, mentioned in the description, removes the most common reason for disputes.

Give flat-lay measurements. The size on the label, but also length and width. It avoids the "it runs small" complaints.

Describe the material and the true colour. A colour poorly rendered in the photo can become "wrong colour". Specify it in the text.

Check the item when you pack it. Compare it with the listing one last time before sealing the parcel.

Our 10-point checklist for listings that won't sell also helps you write complete listings that limit unpleasant surprises on delivery.

What if the dispute goes badly for your account?

A one-off dispute won't put your account at risk. Repeated disputes, on the other hand, can weigh on your reputation and your relationship with the platform. If your account is restricted, our guide on blocked or restricted Vinted accounts sets out the common causes and what to do.

If you sell a few items a month and your listings are honest, you'll probably hardly ever face a dispute. The risk grows with volume, not with bad faith.