What the community knows

If an item arrives broken, follow the seller's return policy for resolution.

Combined postage must be arranged before invoicing to ensure proper pricing.

Sellers should provide specific packing details for fragile, heavy, or awkward items.

Sellers must handle courier claims, not buyers, as they have the contract with the courier.

Keep all packaging until the issue is resolved to support claims.

Photograph damaged boxes before opening to document evidence for claims.

Photograph the item before unwrapping to document its condition for reporting purposes.

eBay's Money Back Guarantee covers items that are 'not as described', even if the listing states otherwise.

A reverse image search can help identify fake items by finding the same photo elsewhere.

Look for authentic photos of the actual item, not stock images, in listings.

Review the seller's account age and history to assess credibility.

Check the sold prices of genuine items to identify potential fakes.

Live auctions allow you to see and test items in real time, which can be more informative than photographs.

Deciding your maximum bid before the auction starts can help prevent overspending.

Combined postage on several lots is normal but must be arranged before bidding.

The audience for a live auction typically grows over time, affecting the final prices of items.

Hosts in live auctions cannot see bidders' identities or histories, only names scrolling by.

The first lots in a live auction often sell for less due to fewer viewers.

Keeping communication on eBay's messaging system provides evidence for future reference.

Opening a case through eBay is recommended over a chargeback for better protection.

Most small sellers prefer to resolve issues privately rather than having a case opened.

Photograph the parcel, item, fault, and packaging before handling to gather evidence for returns.

Buyers usually pay return postage for items marked 'Changed my mind'.

Sellers pay return postage for items marked 'Not as described'.

Asking a seller about the worst aspect of an item can reveal their familiarity with it.

eBay requires used items to be shown as they actually are, not with stock photos.

A seller should provide multiple clear photographs to avoid returns.

eBay's Money Back Guarantee applies even if a listing states 'No returns'.

'Spares or repair' indicates the item likely does not work at all.

'Untested' means the seller has not powered it on, so price it as broken.

Using a second account on Vinted is against the rules and can lead to a ban.

Relisting and auto-bumping are explicitly prohibited by Vinted's rules.

Sellers can appeal a ban through a specific link and should do it only once.

Keep receipts for branded items as proof to help with account reinstatement.

Over-disclose details like measurements and damage to avoid issues with buyers.

Drip-feed your listings rather than bulk-uploading for better sales performance.

Vinted has a warning system that can lead to temporary or permanent account blocking for rule violations.

Standard accounts on Vinted are for private, non-commercial use only, and listing many similar items may violate this rule.

Vinted Pro Integrations API is only available to a limited set of allowlisted businesses and does not support bumping or promoting.

Vinted's terms prohibit deleting and relisting the same item multiple times without any qualifier for excessive use.