I’m a pro Vinted seller – I’ve flogged 3,000 items and post out 15 parcels a day, here’s what buyers really want to see
A SAVVY mum has turned her passion for second-hand clothing into a thriving business – flogging more than 3,000 items on Vinted.
Annmarie McGunnigle, 44, fell in love with slow fashion as a little girl after spending days with her glamorous and thrifty grandmother at her market stall.
But she didn’t start using marketplace app Vinted until 2020 when she decided to sell her old clothes during lockdown “to make some space”.
“I am a self-confessed shopaholic and I love fashion so this quickly became a hobby”, she admitted.
“And I began to realise it could become profitable.”
Annmarie, from Glasgow, worked in retail and procurement buying for over two decades before having her son in 2019 and making the decision to be a stay-at-home mum.
She said: “Buying, selling and price negotiation comes naturally to me.
“I have always wanted to start my own business, but I knew I needed to find something different that fitted my skill set.
“I realised that I got a real buzz from selling online, enjoyed the process and most importantly I seemed to have a knack for it.
“My friends and family started to pass my items to sell and one day someone asked what my commission rate was as they wanted to pay me.
“This was a real lightbulb moment. I researched online to find out if there were any companies out there who offer anything similar and realised that I could offer what is known in the US as a consignment selling service.”
Annmarie only launched her business, Another Girls Treasure, last July but has already sold more than 3,000 pieces for clients – earning herself a cut of the money from every sale.
She works up to six hours a day from Monday to Friday and a couple of hours at the weekend.
But her 30-hour-a-week job is flexible as she’s her own boss, with the mum often working early mornings or evenings to suit childcare.
Annmarie – who lists items under @annmariemc9791 – posts out around 15 parcels a day and boasts almost 2,500 five-star reviews on Vinted.
She’s also fully booked for February and almost all of March and even has a waiting list for new clients.
And it’s not a particular brand or price that’s her standout sale so far.
No, this savvy seller managed to flog the same dress TWICE in one week.
“I had originally sold the dress to one of my clients to wear to their Christmas night out”, she explained.
“They then brought it back to me to sell a few days later as part of their consignment.
“I think that 100% qualifies as a circular wardrobe item.”
VINTED SUCCESS
Vinted is one of the most popular online marketplaces where shoppers can bag bargain clothes and accessories – and make money selling them too.
But that’s not all, there’s everything from homeware to toys and baby gear up for grabs.
On the app or website you can browse through items that other people want to sell – and they may be new or used, similar to eBay and Depop.
Will I be taxed for selling on Vinted?
CUSTOMERS selling their second-hand goods on apps should be aware of a new tax shake-up which came into effect on January 1 - nicknamed the 'side hustle tax'.
You’ll be affected if you sell 30 or more items yearly through online marketplaces or earn over £1,700.
Your seller information will be automatically shared with HMRC.
However, even if you earn less than £1,700 a year you may still be considered a ‘trader’ and have to pay tax.
Income tax is normally due once your income from self-employment hits £1,001 during a single financial year.
So, if you earn £1,001 by selling second-hand items online, you will still be required to complete a self-assessment tax return as normal.
If the total amount you earn via a platform in a tax year is £1,000 OR less, you won’t need to tell HMRC or pay any extra tax.
In a nutshell, if you make or buy goods with the intention of selling them, you’re probably a trader.
For example, if you’re buying furniture, decorating it and selling it on for more than you bought it for, this would be considered trading – unless it was a one-off.
But if you cleared old stuff out of your attic or wardrobe and sold it, you wouldn’t be trading.
Adam Jay, chief executive of the second hand marketplace platform Vinted, told the BBC that the rules would not affect many of the site’s sellers.
“It’s only those people who are making a profit from selling second hand items that might be eligible for tax and then it’s about their own personal tax situation what tax would ultimately be due to HMRC,” he said.
“We’ll be actively reaching out to those sellers explaining what the new requirements are why they exist.”
You can check HMRC’s online guide to work out if you need to tell it about income made from online sales.
Offering up her top tips to anybody considering using the app, Annmarie said high street brands such as Zara and River Island are always top sellers.
She added: “Lifestyle brands such as Nike and Lulu Lemon are very popular and higher end fashion brands such as Hush, Phase Eight or Oliver Bonas are also snapped up by buyers.”
And her best advice is to “be prepared”.
“Do your research when setting prices”, she told the Scottish Sun Online.
“I know some people think they should increase prices to allow buyers to haggle but I prefer to price to sell.
“Think about how the product can best be displayed when taking photographs. Use an over-door hook for hanging items, flat lay sometimes works best for T-shirts etc, and make sure the lighting is correct.
“I have invested now in a mannequin who is affectionately known on my social media as Shakira.”
She added: “Be honest about any flaws, stains or strange sizing. People will still buy these items but not highlighting any issues will ultimately affect your reviews.
“Work with the algorithm. Vinted is like any other social platform, the more you put in the more you will get out so speak to your prospective buyers and upload little and often.
“Consider your postage options carefully. Make sure it is convenient for you, as delayed posting and cancelled orders will also affect your reviews. You can turn off any postage options that don’t suit.
“Also beware of the ‘side hustle’ tax rules if you plan to sell a lot of items.”
And if the thought of going through all of your old clothes and selling them still seems overwhelming or too time-consuming, Annmarie’s on hand to help.
“If you have too many clothes and not enough time or motivation to sell, Another Girls Treasure is the perfect solution”, she said.
“We take care of the whole process, simply bag up your unwanted, clean and in good condition preloved or unworn clothes and accessories, contact us for a time slot and drop to our premises.
“We will take care of the complete selling process for you. This includes, ironing, steaming where required, photography, online listing, market research, pricing, all negotiation and buyer interaction, packaging and shipment and finally at the end of the agreed sales period, payment.”
Annmarie added: “2024 is looking to be an exciting year for the business with a lot of new developments in the pipeline, I can’t wait.”
To book Annmarie’s consignment service for selling any second-hand clothes, visit her Another Girls Treasure page.