Woman buys ‘new without tags’ clothes on Vinted. Then she looks in the light and claims she found old bloodstains: ‘I’m done’

A woman claims she found what looked like bloodstains on a pair of “new without tags” trousers she bought on Vinted, a popular global thrift marketplace. Priscilla Lewis (priscillastidham) made these allegations in a TikTok video.

Lewis said she had been stalling on opening her packages because of the long holiday season and a couple of other engagements, including her birthday, but finally checked them the previous night, “in the dark.” She said she verified she had received the items but hadn’t checked them properly. Upon detailed inspection the following day, Lewis alleged that the trousers appeared to have bloodstains, which someone had tried to remove by washing but failed. 

Lewis showed the trousers on camera, revealing highly visible patches across the crotch and extending slightly around the thigh. Although Lewis suspects the stains were blood, they may have come from something else. The trousers’ pink dye could have run, leaving a reddish stain in that area. Regardless of the stains’ source, the experience left Lewis unwilling to buy from Vinted again. She said, “That’s horrible. Horrible, horrible, horrible. I’m done with Vinted.”

She did not want a refund

Despite her bad experience with Vinted, Lewis said she wouldn’t initiate a return without clearly stating the reason. This isn’t Lewis’ first sour experience with Vinted. Her account contains several videos in which she talks about her bad experiences with the website. However, not all her experiences with the website are bad, some are good, too.

It appears that a few other people have had experiences with Vinted similar to Lewis’. Some confirmed this in the comments on Lewis’ video. One person even shared images of a pair of jeans she received from a Vinted seller. The crotch area looked crusty, with a white layer of powdery yet gooey substance lining the middle.

Others urged Lewis to name the seller so they could buy from them with caution. Some, mostly sellers themselves, assured Lewis that not all experiences on the app were meant to be bad, highlighting the measures they take to ensure customers aren’t dissatisfied after receiving their products.

Reporting an issue with Vinted isn’t very complicated

Vinted’s website explains that purchases made using the “Buy now” button are protected. Otherwise, buyers must resolve issues, including returns, directly with the seller.

To file a complaint, select “I have an issue” in your order within 2 days of Vinted notifying you that the item should have arrived. If you miss the deadline or select “Everything is OK,” the order completes automatically and payment goes to the seller. Include photos and details showing the problem, such as pictures of damage to the item or packaging, or parts of the item that don’t match the listing.

Then select “Send to seller” to request a refund. The order will be suspended while Vinted resolves the issue. After this, the seller can decide whether to offer a full or partial refund. They can also decide whether to accept your item in return.

Lewis’s experience highlights the importance of using second-hand buying and selling apps with care. Whether you’re buying or selling, make sure you know your rights and what steps you can take if things don’t go your way.

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