From Rags to Riches

If you're following me on Instagram you have already learnt about my new "hobby" slash side-hustle: decluttering on Vinted. A friend has joked that I'll advertise Highflyer there any time soon and I replied, yep, if he's stationary in the armchair for too long I just might take flattering pictures from all angles and post him. Nah, joking, he's obviously a keeper. And a "vintage classic"!

Amica had sung the praises of Vinted for months, but I could not be bothered to start selling on another platform than my tried-and-tested Austrian one, that I have been on for 20+ years now, not really having sold much there recently. I also could not be bothered printing out labels and going to parcel drop-off points for different services. 

I already had an account already, but never actively used it, but when Highflyer's daughter did not like her Easter gift (a t-shirt from Boden) that I had bought online weeks ago and could not return any more, I posted it and it was pretty much sold immediately. I took some photos of clothes both at the country house and my city flat and slowly, but surely, the algorithm discovered and promoted me and the first Euros started coming in. 

I gradually shifted all my "stock" to Vienna, where I have several parcel drop-off points within walking distance and in the course of 2 months only, I made about 500 Euros already. Not bad at all. I have meanwhile expanded my offerings to accessories, shoes (something I would never buy second hand myself) and other random things such as the charger of my old Macbook and still have SO many things I could sell that are currently in my flat. 

Every time I'm there I idly look into shelves and drawers and discover random items in pristine condition that I don't even remember owning and that somebody else might appreciate more. Win-win. I am gradually decluttering and earning some nice "pocket money" (for upcoming vacations, for example) while I'm at it. I have yet to overcome my own prejudices against second-hand items other than preloved designer handbags, but I'm getting there. Even if something is marked as "new" and "unused" and I would obviously wash everything I think "what if their apartment smells of deep-fried food?" (or worse: cigarette smoke). I don't mind wearing hand-me-downs from people I know, but other than that I have reservations.