Consignment on Vinted: selling other people's clothes, done right

Consignment is the most underrated channel in reselling: you sell other people's clothes for a commission, without tying up a cent of cash. Zero capital, zero dead-stock risk — but real organisational discipline. Here is how to do it properly.

The principle

A friend, neighbour or customer entrusts you with clothes. You photograph them, list them, handle buyer questions and shipping. When something sells, you keep a commission — commonly 30 to 50% of the sale price — and pay the rest to the consignor. Everyone wins: they do nothing, you stock your shop without buying inventory.

Set the rules BEFORE the first item

Almost every consignment dispute comes from rules set too late. Agree in writing (a simple message is enough) on:

• The commission: a clear percentage of the final sale price. 40-50% is fully justified — you do the photos, listings, messages, packing and shipping.
• Who sets prices — and who decides discounts. Recommended: you propose, the consignor validates once, then you may lower freely down to an agreed floor.
• Bundles and discounts: if an item sells inside a discounted bundle, its share is computed pro rata. Say it upfront — surprises are what sour relationships.
• Unsold items: after how long the consignor takes them back (3 months is a good standard), and who travels.
• Payout rhythm: per sale, or one monthly settlement — monthly is easier for everyone to follow.

What your bookkeeping says

Important if you are registered: depending on your status, what counts as your revenue differs. As an agent (you sell on the consignor's behalf), your income is the commission; if you buy and resell, it is the full sale price. The line depends on your agreement and actual practice — have your case confirmed by your tax office or an accountant, the difference in taxable base is huge.

The logistics that hold it together

• One ledger per consignor: items received, listed, sold (at what price), returned. Without it, the first payout becomes a negotiation.
• The consignor's share computed at sale time, not from memory: sale price × (1 − commission). In a discounted bundle, pro rata per piece.
• A statement with every settlement: sales of the period, prices, commission, amount paid. That document builds trust — and brings consignors back with new bags.

Why it is a real growth lever

Consignment fills your shop without a euro of purchasing, raises your volume (hence your Vinted visibility), and builds a local supply network that renews itself. The best shops make it a pillar: a few loyal consignors provide a constant flow of pieces you never had to hunt for.

Managing it without a spreadsheet

Everything above — the ledger, the share calculation, pro-rata bundles, the statements — is exactly what Fripilot automates. You create each consignor with their commission; then, whenever one of their items sells on Vinted, their share is computed automatically (bundle discounts split included), the "owed" counter updates, and you export their statement in one click when it is time to pay. Your own items and your consignors' items live in the same shop without ever mixing in your margins. Try it free for 30 days — consignment is included in the Pro plan.