At first, it seemed like a harmless way to clear out your wardrobe and make a bit of extra cash.
Then, somehow, you found yourself obsessively checking for new listings, setting alerts for brands you don’t even need, and convincing yourself that buying second-hand is practically the same as saving money. If your Vinted app is getting more attention than your messages, it might be time to admit your little hobby has turned into a full-blown obsession. Here are the telltale signs that your Vinted habit has officially spiralled.
1. You check the app more than your social media.
Instagram? Barely glanced at. Facebook? A ghost town. But Vinted? You’re refreshing that homepage like your life depends on it. You don’t just browse when you need something—you’re checking just in case a hidden gem appears. And the second that little notification pops up, everything else is on hold. Whether it’s a like, a new follower, or best of all, an offer, you’re instantly clicking to see what’s happening in your second-hand empire.
2. You have search alerts for brands you don’t even wear.
Maybe you started by looking for that one perfect item, but now you’ve got alerts set up for every brand under the sun, just in case. You don’t even wear half of them, but the thrill of a good bargain is too strong to resist. Deep down, you know you’re unlikely to ever wear that designer blazer or those niche trainers, but when the deal is that good, it’s impossible to ignore.
3. Your favourites list is getting out of hand.
You tell yourself you’re just saving things to think about it, but your favourites list is now a graveyard of items you’ve hoarded just in case. Scrolling through it is basically like online window shopping for things you’ll probably never buy. And yet, every now and then, you still go back to see if they’ve been reduced. Because let’s be honest — if it’s been sitting there for weeks and the seller drops the price, then it’s meant to be.
4. You start feeling personally offended when your offers get rejected.
There’s nothing more frustrating than sending what you thought was a reasonable offer, only for the seller to come back with a firm no. The cheek of it. You start questioning their logic — why wouldn’t they want to shift that jumper for five pounds less? Instead of moving on, you might even find yourself tracking the item just to see if it sells. And if it doesn’t? Well, they clearly should have taken your offer.
5. Your parcels are arriving faster than you can list your own stuff.
The original plan was to sell some old clothes and make space in your wardrobe. Instead, you’ve ended up with even more than you started with. For every item you successfully sell, two more arrive at your doorstep. Your postie is now fully aware of your habit, and the pile of to-sell clothes is permanently overshadowed by the pile of recently bought clothes. At this point, Vinted is basically running a loop in your house.
6. You can’t resist a bundle discount.
It starts with one item. Then you spot something else from the same seller. Then another. Before you know it, you’re negotiating a bundle deal on things you kind of wanted but mostly just added to justify the discount. Instead of saving money, you’ve spent more than planned — but hey, at least the postage was cheaper, right?
7. You tell yourself you’re investing in timeless pieces.
Source: Unsplash Every purchase comes with a little justification. This will last me years, you say, even though your wardrobe is already bursting with similar items. It’s a classic piece, you mutter while buying yet another beige trench coat. The truth is, you’re not really investing — you’re just really, really good at convincing yourself that everything is essential.
8. You’ve become an expert at spotting resellers.
Source: Unsplash You can now tell, with eerie accuracy, which accounts are professional resellers. The perfect product shots? The suspiciously similar clothing descriptions? The prices that are just a bit too polished? And yet, even knowing this, you still debate whether to buy from them because if it’s still a deal compared to retail price, does it really matter?
9. You’ve developed an emotional attachment to your seller rating.
Source: Unsplash That five-star rating isn’t just a number — it’s a badge of honour. Any slight dip in your rating feels like a personal attack. If someone leaves less than perfect feedback, you need to know why. You start taking extra care with packaging, adding little thank-you notes, and even avoiding difficult buyers because maintaining that flawless reputation is now part of the game.
10. You justify late-night browsing as just looking.
It starts harmlessly. You’re just scrolling before bed, casually seeing what’s new. Then suddenly, it’s 1 a.m. and you’ve somehow bought three things you didn’t even know you needed. The next morning, you barely remember what you bought, but past-you clearly thought it was a great idea, so now you just have to wait and see what turns up.
11. You’re secretly proud when you get a bargain.
Nothing makes you happier than finding an item for a ridiculously low price. When you bag a high-end brand for next to nothing, it feels like a personal victory. And you will tell people about it. If someone compliments your outfit, you won’t just say thanks — you’ll proudly announce, got it for a tenner on Vinted, like you’ve just won an Olympic medal.
12. You get withdrawal symptoms if you don’t check the app.
If you go a day without checking Vinted, you feel like you’re missing out on something. What if someone sent you an offer? What if the perfect item got listed, and you weren’t there to grab it? You might even promise yourself a break, only to log back in a few hours later, you know, just for a quick look. And that’s how the cycle starts all over again.
