Woman orders from Vinted for first time but is gobsmacked by what arrives

A Vinted customer was left gobsmacked after recieving an item in the post in somewhat unorthodox packaging. Of course, when you're receiving goods from the general public rather than a reputable business, it may mean you receive rather inventively wrapped items, which is what Jodie Bailey discovered to her dismay.

Stunned, she took to TikTok to share a short clip of her purchase, prompting her to ask: "Is this normal? This is what my top has come in from Vinted. Is that a normal thing?" Dampening Jodie's experience further, she also revealed it was the first time she had even used the popular resale app.

Indeed, Jodie's video showed her new garment, which arrived via the courier service, Evri, was inside a small card box that had originally contained Gianni's Fruit Spiral Lollies - part of Aldi's frozen food range.

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It prompted one TikTok user to slam in response: "I honestly don’t know how postage companies accept these. I know some are lockers but actual people allowing parcels to be sent like this at tills and kiosks should be refusing them."

Jodie, who collected the item from her local Post Office in York, replied: "This was at my Post Office and they said they’ve had a used pizza box before. Disgusting isn’t it."

A second individual recalled: "I bought Gucci sunglasses and they came in a Pot Noodle!"

While a frustrated third person detailed their recent scenario: "I picked my parcels up at the weekend. One wasn’t wrapped, the member of staff was holding a jumper up and clutching some paper asking if this was mine. Seriously, paper. To be fair at least yours is in a box, says a lot about the seller."

Then a fourth exclaimed: "I sell on Vinted and personally take pride in my Vinted packages. Making sure everything is washed ironed and packaged in presentable packaging. I use a mix of mostly reused packaging from previous parcels and parcel bags, six for £1 from the works. Anything large gets wrapped in charity bags and brown paper."

Others defended the seller's choice of packaging, however, pointing out it was a sustainable method.

"I don’t see any issue as long as the item is clean and in tact," one TikTok user noted. "It’s a second-hand selling site people got to keep costs down."

Another shared their experience: "Got my last package in a Greggs bag. It’s sustainable and recycling so I think it’s great."

And a third Vinted customer agreed: "Reducing over consumption and waste at the same time. If its clean I don't care how its packaged."

Vinted has clear rules when it comes to packaging, which it states online:

• Use sturdy outer packaging that snugly fits the item. For example, a cardboard box to protect the item from dirt and moisture, or carrier-provided packaging, such as a padded waterproof envelope or bag, if available. Don’t use bags without padding inside.
• Fill the empty space inside with bubble wrap, paper, foam, or similar material to prevent movement and contact with the outer packaging during transit.
• Seal the parcel with strong tape to provide extra protection and prevent the item from falling out.
• Stick the shipping label flat on the largest side of the parcel, ensuring the barcode is fully visible. Secure the label’s edges with strong tape. Remove any old labels.
• For fragile items, always use a sturdy box, not a plastic bag. Stick a 'Fragile' label on the parcel. Separate each fragile item with bubble wrap or other cushioning material.
• For bundles, place all items in one parcel (no more than two electronic devices with batteries, see below). Make sure each item is securely wrapped and not moving inside.

Vinted has contacted for response.