Vinted, a major secondhand marketplace operating across 26 markets, has faced complaints from sellers regarding account suspensions and bans. In 2025, the platform facilitated €10.8bn in trades and generated €1.1bn in revenue, establishing itself as a significant player in the resale economy.
Several sellers have reported experiencing what they characterize as unfair account actions. One seller claimed that after a buyer disputed a necklace purchase, Vinted refunded the buyer despite the seller providing photographic and video evidence of the item being properly packaged. Another reported that her account was permanently terminated after a dispute over shoe authenticity, despite her providing receipts and photographs. A third seller, who operates a resale business managing inventory for multiple clients, reported approximately 12 account suspensions over three years, including one permanent ban labeled as involving fraudulent activity that was reversed five hours later with no explanation.
Consumer advocate Martyn James has reported receiving numerous complaints from users claiming their accounts were frozen following counterfeit product allegations. He identified the use of automated systems in dispute resolution as a contributing factor, noting that while artificial intelligence may be useful for initial investigation, meaningful human review should follow. James stated that platforms should provide clear appeal processes and that decisions involving financial implications require more nuanced handling than current practices appear to offer.
Vinted responded that all appeals are reviewed by human staff and that 98% of transactions proceed without support team intervention. The company stated that account actions are taken when users breach rules regarding counterfeit items, dangerous goods, or commercial activity inconsistent with secondhand resale. The platform maintains that users can appeal against decisions and that enforcement measures are implemented to maintain marketplace safety and community protection.
The complaints highlight tensions between automated moderation systems and user protections on large digital marketplaces, particularly regarding the clarity of dispute resolution processes and the availability of independent review mechanisms for account-related decisions.
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