The big story
The Guardian reports that charity shops are drowning in poor-quality donations. It says people now sell their best clothes on Vinted instead.
Traid's Jose Baladron says shops sell only about 25% of what they receive. The British Heart Foundation plans to close 150 of its 651 stores.
If you source from charity shops, you may find thinner pickings and fewer shops. Worth checking your local ones are still open before you make the trip.
Sources: The Guardian (via AOL), FLUF
The week in resale
- Value Added Resource reports Etsy now requires an unedited, real-background photo of the actual item on most listings. The article gives no deadline, so worth checking your Etsy photos, as misleading listings can be removed.
Source: Value Added Resource
- eBay's new privacy policy starts on 26 November, and Value Added Resource reports it widens what eBay says about AI training on user data. UK sellers have until then to decide whether to use the opt-out.
Source: Value Added Resource
- TheIndustry.fashion reports Fashionphile's data shows the Saint Laurent Mombasa's average sale price up 291% on the same months of 2025. Early-2000s bags and monogram denim are fetching more second-hand, so look out for them when sourcing.
Source: TheIndustry.fashion
- The Charity Retail Association says Oxfam GB moved to fixed prices on eBay, added coupons, and saw a 25% higher average selling price. Expect charity shops to price more like you do.
Source: Charity Retail Association
Trends
The Industry reports ONS figures showing UK clothing and footwear sales volumes fell 0.9% in September. The ONS said online retailers' autumn ranges did badly in unseasonably warm weather. That suggests winter demand started late, so coats and knitwear may sell now the weather has cooled. Worth sourcing them at sensible prices, as MHA says shoppers are getting more selective.
Source: The Industry
Worth knowing
Vinted says Buyer Protection only covers orders paid with the "Buy now" button. A buyer can claim if an item is significantly not as described, damaged, lost or counterfeit. Once a claim opens, Vinted holds your payment until it is resolved.
Items that simply don't fit or suit the buyer do not qualify. Resolver, the complaints service, advises photographing items and packaging before you post. It also says to use sturdy packaging, as some claims were refused over weak packaging.
Worth doing: photograph every parcel before it goes, packaging included.
Where to sell
Gumtree's Pay & Collect lets buyers pay online, then collect in person, on listings under £250, ChannelX reports.
It suits anyone clearing homeware, bags or bulkier items locally, without handling cash or bank transfers with strangers.
The catch: ChannelX gives no fee details, and buyers can cancel at inspection for a full refund.
Source: ChannelX (Tamebay)
Researched and drafted with AI, checked by the Very Minted team, and always linked to its sources. News, not advice.