I bought a sweater on Vinted ten days ago and honestly I don't like it at all. The seller said it was new but there's a small stain I didn't see in the photos. Am I allowed to return it? I'm not really sure how the withdrawal period works on Vinted.
On Vinted, you have 14 days to request a return if the item doesn't match the description, so technically you're still within the timeframe 🎯 The stain that wasn't visible in the photos is a solid argument to contact the seller and ask for a return - Vinted can back you up on that if it really doesn't match what was advertised. You're not obligated to keep something with hidden defects, especially if the seller said it was new. Try opening a help request with Vinted with photos of the stain, they're usually pretty reasonable in these kinds of situations.
I had exactly this problem last year with a jacket I bought on Vinted. The seller said "perfect condition" and when it arrived, there was a tiny tear that was really well hidden on the inside seam. So I contacted Vinted directly by uploading close-up photos of the damage, I explained that it wasn't visible in the seller's listings, and honestly it got resolved pretty easily.
For you, the really useful thing that nobody talks about enough is taking photos with good natural lighting of the damage in question - like near a window. Blurry or poorly lit photos work against you because the Vinted team will verify things with the seller, and if you're showing them unclear stuff, he'll say it was already there and you're not credible. Sharp photos are your best friend. Then you file a return request explaining precisely that the item doesn't match the description, you mention the stain and you provide photo evidence. Vinted generally has pretty long return periods (you have way more than 14 days to start the process), so you're not in a rush either.
The other important thing: the seller can contest it, but if he'd marked it as "new" or "like new" and there's a visible stain, it's easy to prove it didn't come from you. Vinted often sides with the buyer in these cases. Just file the report properly and wait for their response.
Was the stain visible in the photos or did it only really show up once you had the sweater in hand? Because that changes everything honestly.
Technically you're right that you're within the 14-day window, but honestly Vinted's system isn't as straightforward as regular websites. If the stain was noticeable in the photos, even if it's small, the seller will probably argue that it wasn't hidden. But if it was really imperceptible or if the photos are poor quality, then you actually have a solid argument. What matters is the description vs reality, not just your change of mind about the style.
I bought pants that were supposed to be "lightly worn" and when they arrived there were dye stains or whatever on one leg. The seller first refused the return saying it wasn't their problem, but I opened a dispute with Vinted and provided clear photos. They sided with me and I was able to return them. The key is being precise in your request: explain exactly where the stain is, send well-lit photos of the area, and compare it with what they'd announced. If you just say "I don't like it," they won't do anything, but if you say "item described as new with a stain not mentioned," you have more leverage. Try talking to the seller first by showing them the photos, otherwise open a dispute on the platform directly.
The thing people often forget is that even if you're within the 14-day window, you need to have a real reason for the return. A stain that wasn't visible in the photos is clearly a description defect, so you've got grounds for it. What matters though is how you're going to report it to Vinted. You have to open a dispute directly in the app and upload clear photos of the stain in question. Sellers sometimes try to nitpick by saying it was already there or that it's not that bad, but if it wasn't in the original listings you're in the right.
Once you've started the return process, Vinted will generally take a position pretty quickly. They'll give you a return number and an address, and you need to send the sweater by registered mail. Another important detail is that the seller needs to accept the return or at least not contest it too hard, otherwise it can drag on. You're not far from the 14-day limit so I'd say do it today rather than waiting. The more details you have about the condition (recent photos of the stain under different lighting is a bonus), the clearer it is for Vinted.
Wait, gotta check something first - was the stain really not visible in the photos, or is it just something you notice better once you have the thing in hand? Because if the seller actually hid it on purpose, then you've got a solid reason to contact Vinted support with your own photos, but if it's just a minor flaw that's hard to see because of the lighting, it's gonna be harder to justify for a return.
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