TL;DR – Before you buy or send

• Buyers pay postage at checkout, and sellers receive a prepaid label through Vinted.
• At the time of writing, discounted postage is displayed alongside sellers’ asking prices; check the final total before paying.
• Sellers should allow for protective packaging when choosing the parcel size and use the label supplied for that order.
• Follow dispatch and collection deadlines, keep proof of lodgement and check tracking through the order.
• Report delivery problems promptly through Vinted rather than relying only on messages to the other member.

Postage can make a big difference to a second-hand purchase. A small collectable might seem reasonably priced until delivery is added, while a favourable postage rate can make an everyday item worth ordering.

Vinted handles postage within its buying and selling process, which removes some of the usual arranging and calculating. However, buyers still need to check what they are paying, and sellers need to choose suitable packaging and follow the order instructions.

Here is what to know before your first parcel.

Who pays for postage?

The buyer pays postage at checkout. After the purchase, the seller receives a prepaid Vinted-generated label and instructions for sending the order.

That means the seller normally does not need to arrange a separate postage payment with the buyer. Packaging materials remain something the seller needs to provide.

As a buyer, distinguish between the item’s asking price, the Vinted fee and the delivery charge. Look at the complete checkout total before deciding whether the purchase suits your budget.

What about discounted postage?

At the time of writing, Vinted Australia is offering discounted postage, with the postage price clearly displayed alongside the seller’s asking price. This makes it easier to compare potential purchases while browsing.

The saving can be particularly useful for inexpensive books, small household items and collectables, where delivery might otherwise account for a large part of the cost.

However, do not build your expectations around a promotional rate continuing indefinitely. Check the price for your particular purchase and delivery option. An amount mentioned in an older article or screenshot may no longer apply.

Check the delivery option before paying

For Australian deliveries, Australia Post supports home delivery and collection options, including participating Post Offices and Parcel Lockers. Check which choices appear for your order.

Choose a location you can realistically access and check your delivery details carefully. The cheapest option is not necessarily the most convenient if collection means a special trip.

For an overseas listing, read the route-specific delivery information at checkout. Do not assume the same price, transit time or drop-off arrangements apply as for a domestic order.

Choose the parcel size before selling

Sellers should work out how the item will be packed before selecting the parcel option. Check the weight and dimensions of the finished package against the limits displayed in Vinted.

A ceramic vase might be small on a shelf but need a substantially larger box once cushioning is included. Books can also become surprisingly heavy when several are packed together.

Avoid choosing a smaller option just to make delivery look cheaper. Vinted says parcel size and certain other shipping details cannot be changed after a sale without cancelling and repeating the order.

Use the label supplied for the order

Find the shipping label and instructions within the order conversation. Australia Post says you can print the label at home or have it printed at a Post Office using the QR code in the Vinted app.

You can use your own suitable packaging. If reusing a box, remove or cover old addresses and barcodes so there is no confusion about its destination.

Use the label supplied for that particular sale. If something is wrong, resolve it through Vinted before posting rather than handwriting a different address or buying an unrelated label.

Pack for the journey

A prepaid label takes care of postage; it does not protect the contents. Choose packaging that suits the item and the handling it may receive.

For glass and ceramics, use a sturdy box, wrap pieces separately and cushion handles, lids and projecting details. Fill empty space so nothing moves around. A padded bag alone is unsuitable for many fragile objects.

Photograph the item and the packaging before sealing the parcel. Those pictures may help explain how it was prepared if a problem arises. For buyers, asking about packing before purchasing a delicate piece is sensible.

Send on time and retain your receipt

Vinted’s guidance says sellers should dispatch within five business days of purchase unless the buyer agrees to extend the deadline. Follow the deadline shown in your actual order.

Use an eligible drop-off point for the supplied service. Australia Post lists Post Offices, Parcel Lockers and eligible Street Posting Boxes, subject to the relevant conditions.

For a first parcel, handing it over at a staffed Post Office can be reassuring. Retain proof of lodgement, especially for something valuable or fragile, and check the order’s tracking afterwards.

Think carefully about bundles

Buying several items from one seller may help reduce delivery costs compared with separate purchases. However, check the final bundle total rather than assuming postage will stay the same.

The combined parcel still needs to fit the selected service’s limits. Several books may increase the weight, while a group of ornaments may need a larger box.

Sellers should make sure everything can be packed safely together. Saving a little on delivery is poor value if fragile pieces arrive damaged.

Follow tracking and collection notices

Dispatch time and delivery time are different. A seller may need time to prepare the order before the carrier begins transporting it, and estimates are not guaranteed arrival dates.

Follow updates through Vinted and the carrier’s tracking. If collecting a parcel, read the collection notification and act within its deadline.

If tracking looks wrong, use the help options within the order. Buyers should not confirm receipt simply because a tracking event appears if the parcel has not actually reached them.

What if the parcel is damaged or missing?

Vinted’s refund policy covers qualifying purchases that are lost, damaged or significantly not as described, subject to its terms. Keep payment within the platform.

Buyers currently have two calendar days from Vinted’s notification that the order should have arrived or seems lost to report an issue. Use “I have an issue” and follow the instructions. Keep damaged packaging and photograph the contents.

Return postage is generally paid by the buyer unless the seller agrees to cover it. Check the return instructions before sending anything back.

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