A woman who bought a £4 book on the second-hand app Vinted was left disappointed after finding a receipt inside revealing the seller had purchased it from a charity shop for just £1.50 a week earlier. Shan, a TikTok user who shares book recommendations, posted a video expressing her frustration with resellers who fail to remove such tell-tale evidence.
Shan had purchased 'Doctor Who: The Day She Saved the Doctor: Four Stories from the TARDIS', a collection of short stories published in 2018. She thought she had secured a bargain compared to the retail price, but upon opening the book, she discovered the receipt. "I bought this book on Vinted, and inside was the receipt that lets me know that this book was bought a week ago for £1.50, and I spent £4 on it," she said.
Mixed Reactions to Reselling
While Shan felt ripped off, some commenters defended the practice. One person noted, "It's worth as much as you are willing to pay. I don't see the problem." Shan responded, "Yeah, it's not that serious," but admitted the discovery was annoying. Another user fumed, "I think reselling is totally fine, but the actual receipt would send me!"
A more balanced view came from a commenter who said, "Leaving the receipt is dumb, but reselling has done its good function, getting a niche item into the possession of someone who really wants it." Shan clarified she wasn't "mad" but simply didn't want to see the receipt, urging resellers to be more subtle.
Tips for Selling Books on Vinted
To avoid such issues, sellers should follow best practices: list whether the book is paperback or hardback, describe its condition accurately, take photos of every angle including the spine, and price standard paperbacks between £1 and £3. For packing, use bubble wrap or a padded mailer to prevent damage during transit, as damaged corners can lead to refund claims.
