Consignment or Vinted: which should you choose when starting out?

Your wardrobe is overflowing and you want to clear it out the smart way. Two options come up again and again: selling yourself on Vinted, or handing your clothes to a consignment service. Both work, but not for the same profiles or the same volumes.

This guide compares the two approaches point by point so you can choose knowing exactly what you're getting into - not on the basis of a 30-second TikTok opinion.

Vinted: total control, extra work

On Vinted, you do everything. Photos, descriptions, negotiations, packaging, shipping. You set your price and keep almost the entire amount (Vinted has no longer charged a seller commission since 2023, only the buyer pays a fee).

The advantages of Vinted

• You keep 100% of the sale price - no commission to hand over
• You control the price - you decide when to drop it and when to hold
• A massive audience - more than 20 million active users in France
• Free visibility - the Vinted algorithm pushes recent, active listings

The downsides of Vinted

• Time per item - allow 30 to 45 minutes between the photo and shipping
• A learning curve - it takes 2 to 3 weeks to understand what works (titles, photos, prices)
• Negotiations - the endless "is that your best price?" really wears you down
• Logistics - you have to pack, print the labels and drop off at a pickup point

If you want to dig deeper into selling techniques, our comparison of Vinted courses lays out the options to progress fast.

Consignment: delegate to make life easier

Consignment is the opposite. You hand your clothes to someone (a professional or an online service) and that person takes care of everything: photos, listing, shipping. In return, they take a commission on each sale.

The advantages of consignment

• Zero effort on your part - you drop off and wait for the payment
• No need to know Vinted - the seller handles the platform for you
• Ideal for large volumes - 30 items at once? No problem
• A huge time saving - especially if your time is worth more than the commission

The downsides of consignment

• A commission of 30 to 50% - you get back between 50 and 70% of the sale price
• Less control - you don't necessarily choose the price or the photos
• Variable timing - some items take several weeks to sell
• Selection - the seller can turn down items they judge unsellable

If you'd rather hand your clothes to a professional than manage Vinted yourself, vendremesvetements.com connects you with second-hand sellers near you. You drop off your pieces, they handle the rest.

The numbers: 20 items to sell

Let's take a concrete case. You have 20 clothes to sell, average value 15 euros each.

The maths is crystal clear. If you have the time and the will to learn, Vinted brings in more in absolute terms. If your time is precious or you have no desire to handle the logistics, consignment is far more profitable per hour.

Which profile for which solution?

Vinted is right for you if...

• You enjoy photography and writing listings
• You have regular free time (even 30 min a day)
• You want to maximise every euro you get back
• You're thinking of making it a regular activity, even a side income

To get off to a good start, take a look at our 8 photo tips for Vinted - it's often the photo that makes the difference between a quick sale and a listing that sits idle.

Consignment is right for you if...

• You want to clear out your wardrobe without spending hours on it
• You don't know Vinted and have no wish to learn
• You have lots of items to shift at once (moving house, change of size)
• You'd rather earn less but manage nothing

The hybrid strategy: the best of both

The smartest sellers don't choose. They combine the two approaches:

1. Initial sorting - split your clothes into two piles
2. Designer pieces (Sezane, Maje, Isabel Marant...) - sell them yourself on Vinted. The sale price justifies the time invested
3. Unbranded or entry-level pieces (Zara, H&M, Primark...) - hand them to a consignment service. The seller's commission won't cost you much on an 8-euro item

This approach optimises your time and your income. You put your energy into the high-margin pieces and delegate the rest.

How to choose a good consignment service

Not all consignment services are equal. Here are the criteria to check before handing over your pieces:

• Transparency on commissions - the pricing grid must be clear and accessible
• A written agreement - even an informal document listing the terms protects both parties
• Reporting - you should be able to track what has sold and what's still in stock
• Return policy - after how long do you get unsold items back?
• Proximity - a seller near you makes drop-off and return simpler

To dig deeper into commissions, our article on the consignment commission details the recommended tiers.

FAQ

Is consignment more profitable than Vinted?

It depends on your volume. With consignment, you manage nothing but you earn less per item (60 to 70% of the price). On Vinted, you keep everything except the platform fees, but you do the work yourself. For 5 to 10 items a month, consignment is often more profitable in terms of time.

Can you combine Vinted and consignment?

Yes. Many sellers hand their entry-level pieces to a consignment service and keep their designer pieces to sell themselves on Vinted, where they control the price.

Which types of clothes sell better through consignment?

Everyday clothes in good condition but without a strong brand. Designer pieces (Sezane, Maje, Zadig) sell better directly on Vinted because you control the price and the photos.

How long does it take to sell on Vinted when you're starting out?

Allow 30 to 45 minutes per item in total: photos, writing, exchanges with buyers and shipping. The learning curve lasts 2 to 3 weeks before you find your rhythm.

Are there online consignment services?

Yes. Platforms like vendremesvetements.com connect individuals with professional sellers near them. You drop off your clothes and a pro takes care of everything.