Here is what the two prices now displayed on Vinted correspond to

Vinted is one of the most used second-hand platforms in France and is also very popular in other European countries. For some time now, users have noticed that two prices were now displayed for items on sale, enough to intrigue those who do not know what they correspond to.

The meaning of the two different prices on Vinted ads

Around three years ago, the European Commission opened a dialogue with Vinted following recurring complaints from different national consumer protection authorities. They deplored that consumers were not informed of additional costs before finalizing their purchase, which is nevertheless required by European Union legislation. And among these costs, there is “buyer protection”, a kind of insurance made compulsory by the platform.

This covers situations such as the loss of packages and is charged at 0.70 euros, plus 5% of the product’s price including tax up to 500 euros, and 2% beyond this sum. Problem is, buyers discovered this additional cost and its amount only when paying for their basket. To comply with European legislation, Vinted now displays two prices: the first is the amount decided by the seller for his item, and the second, the most expensive, includes the price of the product and buyer protection.

Other modifications made by Vinted

Vinted has also implemented other changes requested by the European Commission, the latter indicates in a press release. Consumers are thus better informed of the procedure for requesting a refund under buyer protection if the product does not arrive at its destination, the counterfeit control procedure and how user ratings are calculated. The platform is also committed to removing misleading advertisements suggesting that purchases are free and at “to provide more transparent and detailed information on the identity verification procedure that consumers must follow when they wish to sell second-hand goods on Vinted, in particular on the documents and information to be provided”.

On the other hand, the second-hand site did not comply with the European Commission’s request to add delivery costs to the total price “from the start of the purchasing process”. The authority therefore “sum [Vinted] to also address this issue.” indicating that, if this is not the case, “coercive measures” could be put in place.