'I haven't shopped on the high street in three years - here's how to get the best deals on Vinted'

It’s been just over three years since Josef Al Shemary bought a piece of clothing in a high street store. That isn’t to say he doesn’t buy new clothing - and he would like to think himself well-dressed.

It’s just that most of the current fashion he sees on the high street or in the shopping centre doesn’t tickle his fancy, and the stuff that does usually isn’t of a very high quality or it costs an arm and a leg.

This is where Vinted came in. He initially downloaded it to look for a vintage football kit but ended up browsing the app for hours, amazed at the bargains to be found.

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Linen trousers for £10. All kinds of buttoned shirts for less than £15. Carhartt Jeans that set you back £100 brand new? On Vinted, £25, including postage. Considering most of his money was funding my extravagant student lifestyle of pot noodles and cheap beers in the park, it’s safe to say he was hooked.

Josef says his all-time favourite Vinted find is a brand new pair of Dr Martens Pascal boots with the words ‘I love Carly’ scribbled on the soles - evidently Carly’s boyfriend didn’t love the shoes as much - for less than half the retail price. Three years in, he says he’s met several people named Carly has shown them all the bottom of his boots even before introducing himself.

While Vinted has provided him with many happy moments - and most of his current wardrobe - it’s also been the source of many disappointments, stress, and an obsession with bartering that closely resembles his grandad at the market.

To help you steer clear of these pitfalls, he’s now made a list of tips and tricks on how to get the best out of the app, so you can be prepared for life as a Vinted buyer:

Allow plenty of time - don’t get anything that you need to wear within a week.

Halloween 2023. I was going dressed as a biker, and found the perfect leather vest to complete the outfit. Stupidly, I waited until there were only three days left until Halloween, and it arrived a day late, leaving me telling everyone that yes, I am wearing a costume and no, I don’t normally wear a handlebar moustache. Word to the wise: make sure you buy things early, and don’t put all your eggs in one vest pocket.

Make an offer, but don’t lowball

Vinted allows you to make an offer on any item you want to buy, which the seller can accept, decline, or counter with their own offer. The app sets a limit which means the largest discount you can get is 40% off the listed price. However, sellers are highly unlikely to accept the lowest possible price, which means you’re usually better off going a tad above it. Sellers might send you a counter-offer, but you’ll end up with a nice discount anyway.

Another good tip is to ‘favourite’ the listing in question - sellers will usually see this and send you an offer first, which you can then counter. Just remember they are real people, and don’t be rude!

Know your measurements

This is a big one. Sizing has changed a lot over the decades, which means a size 'large' t-shirt from 1980 might fit more like a size 'medium' today. Then consider clothes from different countries which use different sizing systems, and you’re bound to get confused.

Taking your measurements is quite straightforward, and sellers are happy to provide them if you ask. Trust me, it will save you a world of disappointment, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Play the long game.

Clothes that are posted on Vinted don’t stay up there for long. This means that when you’re looking for a certain brand of jumper or a specific style of shoes, chances are you won’t find them listed straight away.

Don’t despair! Just tailor your search using the filters for condition, size and brand, and press the little bookmark icon in the top right of your screen. This will save the search, making it easier for you to check the listings as often as possible - just make sure you do, as the best items are sold at the speed of light.