The Surprising Experience of Buying a Max Mara Coat on Vinted

It took a moment for me to process the image on my phone: a gun resting on what seemed to be a kitchen countertop, accompanied by a chilling death threat. All of this because of a Max Mara camel coat.

This wasn’t my first unexpected experience through Vinted, but prior surprises had only included slightly damaged shoes or jeans that didn’t fit. A gun photo was a whole different level.

Perhaps I should have thought more carefully before clicking the “buy” button for the “Max Mara hooded wrap coat” while watching TV. It had just surfaced on my feed half an hour earlier, showcasing the app’s algorithm working to present content based on my interests.

In hindsight, this purchase was clearly a poor decision. The seller’s name—a random assortment of numbers and letters—should have raised a red flag, and their lack of a profile picture, no other items for sale, and absent transaction history added to my concerns. The price of £39 also seemed suspicious, especially considering that new Max Mara coats are typically priced at over £2,000.

However, having always perceived the Vinted community—reportedly harboring 16 million UK users last year—as polite and trustworthy, I foolishly overlooked these warning signs. Additionally, the buyer protection feature reassured me that if anything went wrong, such as receiving a damaged or counterfeit item, I could file a complaint for a prompt refund, as payments are held until the buyer confirms satisfaction with their purchase.

I arranged for the bulky coat to be delivered by Yodel to my local newsagent instead of my home. A few days later, I eagerly awaited my new addition to the wardrobe. However, when the shopkeeper returned, it was with a small envelope rather than the expected large package. Inside was a flimsy nylon nightie in size 2XL, something that would be best kept away from any form of heat.

It was clearly a scam, but what baffled me was how the seller intended to benefit. I clicked the “I have an issue” button within the app and sent pictures of the received item to Vinted. The seller quickly replied, claiming a mix-up had occurred. They suggested that if I canceled the dispute, they would send the coat. I declined.

That’s when the situation turned alarming. I received a threatening message stating, “I just need your money. I have your address. I hope nothing will happen to you. Otherwise, my friends will come to your house to rob you. Take care of your family!” Accompanying this message was a photo of some type of assault rifle.

While the parcel hadn’t been delivered to my residence, I remained unsure whether the seller had access to my home address.

Concerned, I reached out to Vinted through the app and an email address I found for their legal department. I also contacted the police, who assured me that an officer would be sent to take my statement. Ultimately, I canceled the dispute, reluctantly releasing the funds to the scammer, as I have a small child and prioritized safety over any financial loss.

Fortunately, Vinted informed me that the shipping label displayed a store address, not mine, and they assured me of cooperation with local authorities if necessary, also blocking the seller’s account. Still, I couldn’t shake the worry of whether the seller could discover my identity and find me.

At least now that the weather is warming up, I no longer have any need for that coat.