Vinted will implement new guidelines next week, and sellers who violate them risk getting banned from the platform. The popular second-hand selling site will update its terms and conditions on September 8, introducing a rule that prohibits sellers from repeatedly deleting and relisting the same item or multiple items in bulk.
Many Vinted sellers commonly employ the strategy of relisting items that are not selling well. However, a recent update by Vinted has sparked criticism from users, including TikTok influencer Culture Force, who expressed concerns about the fairness of the new regulation.
Culture Force highlighted that sellers on platforms like Vinted and eBay often relist unsold items as a simple tactic to boost sales. In response to seller practices, Vinted has also declared a ban on the use of external software and bots on the site.
This decision follows a previous backlash against Vinted’s modification of its delivery options last year. Sellers had voiced frustrations over not being able to opt out of certain delivery options, leading to inconveniences such as having to print postage labels unexpectedly.
After facing backlash, Vinted reversed its shipping options to the previous settings, addressing users’ concerns. Additionally, Vinted shared information on how individuals can earn up to £1,000 in a tax year through side hustles without incurring taxes, also mentioning the requirement to report earnings above this threshold to HMRC through self-assessment.
Platforms like eBay and Vinted provide sales data to HMRC when sellers reach specific thresholds, like selling 30 items or earning €2,000 (approximately £1,700). However, the obligation to pay taxes only applies if the activity is deemed trading. Current regulations stipulate that individuals must file a self-assessment tax form when earning over £1,000 in additional income per tax year, with plans to increase this threshold to £3,000.
For earnings below £3,000, a new simplified online form will be introduced to declare income, effective by 2029. While the tax amount remains unchanged, the reporting process to HMRC will be streamlined for individuals earning below the specified threshold.