A dispute over the price of a 16-year-old dress from Tesco has ignited a fierce debate on the popular second-hand marketplace Vinted. Seller Beth listed the garment for £7, citing its significant sentimental value, but faced pushback from a potential buyer who argued the price was too high for an old, high-street item.
The Sentimental Sale That Sparked a Standoff
The story began when Beth decided to part with a dress she originally purchased from Tesco at the age of 15. She had worn the dress to her graduation ceremony and to a joint celebration of her 15th birthday and her mother's 50th, making it a cherished item filled with personal memories. Listing it on Vinted 16 years after its original purchase, she set an initial asking price of £8.50, later reducing it to £7.50 for an interested party.
To showcase the dress, Beth sent the potential buyer photos from her graduation day. However, after this exchange, the buyer went silent. Beth followed up, mentioning the dress would be taken to a clothes swap if not purchased. When it wasn't chosen at the swap, she contacted the buyer again, reigniting a conversation that quickly turned into a pricing battle.
The Heated Haggle Over a 'Tesco' Label
The interested shopper then asked if Beth would lower the price further for an immediate purchase. Despite having already reduced it by a pound, the buyer pressed on, suggesting £5. Her justification? "It's not had much interest, and it's from Tesco as well".
Beth stood firm, replying: "Sorry, no, it was much more than that 16 years ago, and I've only worn it two or three times!" The negotiation continued, with the buyer refusing to move above £6. Beth ultimately rejected the offer, unwilling to sell for less than her set price.
Frustrated, the would-be buyer retorted: "It's £3 less, and I'm the only one interested in two years". Beth's final response was pointed, stating the buyer was not entitled to the dress and that she would rather sell it for her desired price or swap it for something of equal sentimental value. The buyer did not reply again.
Online Reaction: A Divided Verdict on Value
Beth later shared the exchange online, where it attracted a flood of comments with starkly divided opinions. Many questioned her pricing strategy, arguing that sentimental value should not inflate an item's market price on a platform like Vinted.
One critic commented: "I can't tell if this is a joke, £7 is high for a 16 year old, Tesco dress surely?!" Another added: "To be fair, if it's not sold for two years I'd just take the £5." A recurring theme was the view that Vinted has a "car boot sale vibe" where clothes are expected to be very cheap.
However, Beth also found supporters who defended her right to set her own price. One defender argued: "You can sell your stuff for whatever price you want because there will always be someone willing to buy for that price." Beth herself explained that selling the dress for "less than the price of two cups of coffee" would have left her feeling sad, given its personal history.
Reflecting on the clash, Beth conceded she might have been "being an a****** a 'tiny bit'" but maintained the buyer was "entitled" for demanding such a knockdown price. The incident highlights the often-unwritten rules and clashing expectations that define the booming market for pre-loved fashion.
