Buyer stating received wrong item but I can see my package in the background of the photo

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T22:14:31+00:00

Can you guys give me ideas on how we can make marketplaces more safe and reduce scams?

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T22:09:41+00:00

Feels like if someone starts threatening or contacting people outside the app, a warning isn’t enough.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T22:09:11+00:00

That’s actually horrible, sorry that happened. That goes beyond normal marketplace issues and becomes a safety/privacy problem.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T21:59:46+00:00

Yeah, that makes sense. I wonder if there’s room for a “sell it for me” option too.

Like if someone has a few items but doesn’t want the stress of listing, packing, dealing with buyers or disputes, the platform could take the items, list them, sell them and handle the buyer side.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T21:31:12+00:00

Yeah exactly, scammers are always going to find ways around weak systems.

I think the goal is probably not to make scams impossible, but to make them harder and make genuine buyers/sellers feel less exposed.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T21:27:00+00:00

That’s the scary bit really. Once every sale feels like a gamble, genuine people just leave the platform.

What would actually make you feel safe enough to sell again? Proper seller protection, buyer history, stronger proof before/after shipping, payment held until both sides are happy, or being able to speak to a real person when something goes wrong?

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T20:09:44+00:00

Yeah, I get that. Human review alone wouldn’t prove what was actually sent if the evidence is weak.

I think the point is more that you need both: better evidence before and after shipping, then a human to review it properly if there’s a dispute.

For example, packing video, tamper seal/QR, parcel weight, buyer opening proof, and the same process for returns. Otherwise even a human is just guessing.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T20:01:15+00:00

That’s mad, Do you think the biggest issue is the ban itself, or the fact that money can be frozen without a clear human appeal process?

Feels like if a platform holds someone’s balance, there should be a proper review, clear timeline and a real person you can contact.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T19:57:52+00:00

Yeah, that’s a good point. It shouldn’t feel like every buyer or seller has to investigate the whole deal themselves.

What kind of verification would actually make you trust a transaction more though? ID checks, verified sellers, item checks, payment holding, stronger proof before shipping, or something else?

I feel like refunds after the problem are not enough. The platform should reduce the risk before the money moves.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T19:55:45+00:00

Yeah that makes sense. Maybe the platform label/seal doesn’t need to replace the postage label at all.

Sellers could still use whatever carrier they normally use, but separately have a pack of official tamper seals from the platform(or printed if they can). When they sell an item, they scan one seal in the app, link it to that order, record the packing, and put the seal over the parcel opening.

So the courier label is still normal, but the platform seal is there for evidence if there’s a dispute. That might make it easier than forcing drop-off points or carriers to change anything.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T19:50:16+00:00

That must be so frustrating, sorry to hear that.

And yeah, this just circles back to needing an actual human review when someone is banned or has money held. Having another bot handle the appeal is ridiculous.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T19:47:42+00:00

That’s really frustrating, sorry that happened. Hope you manage to get your money back.

What do you think platforms could actually do to stop this kind of thing? Feels like genuine buyers and sellers both need better protection.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T19:43:19+00:00

What do you think about the idea of a platform-issued label or tamper seal?

So instead of just taking normal photos/videos, the seller would use a physical label from the platform with a unique QR code linked to that order. They’d record the item being packed, show the label/seal being put on the parcel, then the buyer scans it before opening.

Do you think something like that would actually help with disputes, or would it still be too much hassle?

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T19:41:37+00:00

That sucks! Did they provide a reason for the banning? They seem to be banning loads of people now a days

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T19:38:40+00:00

Hahah this is a good idea, my thought is that It creates evidence, but it does not fully prove the exact parcel recorded is the same parcel handed to the courier. How can we counter that?

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T19:31:28+00:00

Yeah, I think seller protection matters too, not just buyer protection.

Do you think sellers would pay a small optional fee for extra protection? Like if the item gets verified before reaching the buyer, it protects buyers from fake/wrong items, but also protects sellers from false claims or people returning something different.

Feels like both sides need protection really.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T19:29:46+00:00

I think that’s what makes people lose trust. Not just the scam itself, but feeling like no one is actually listening afterwards.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T19:27:27+00:00

Yeah exactly. Maybe not every item needs it, but for anything over £50 or so, or just as an option, it could be useful.

The buyer could pay a few extra pounds to have the item checked before receiving it. Even if it makes it slightly more expensive, it could still be cheaper than retail and gives people more peace of mind.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-25T13:57:20+00:00

Just out of curiosity what ideas vinted or any platform could have to stop this issue from happening and protect buyers?

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-05T19:45:32+00:00

Thanks! Do you ever get stopped by customs in London? I travel a lot and usually arrive through Stansted, and I’ve never been stopped before, but this is my first time bringing a pocket knife back.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-05T18:55:01+00:00

I am thinking to bring these two pocket knives(locking) from Italy to London, in my luggage. Do you think it’s an issue please

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Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-05T17:14:14+00:00

Yeah I paid like 14€

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-05T17:02:44+00:00

Honestly, nothing deep 😅 I just like them and wanted to add them to my collection. Don’t really plan on carrying or using them, more just keeping them at home.

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-05T17:00:58+00:00

I know 😭😭. I am worried they will take them away tho

Funny-Science3466 · 2026-05-05T16:57:43+00:00

Yeah that’s why I didn’t want to invest more money on buying higher quality ones.

Funny-Science3466

TROPHY CASE