Top Eight Mistakes Costing Vinted and eBay Sellers Five-Star Reviews Revealed

Research from Post Office reveals the top 8 mistakes Brits are unknowingly making when using re-seller sites.

From bad photos to messy packaging, the survey reveals the small details that could be damaging five-star reviews.

Many sellers struggle to package items correctly or post promptly, with late or poorly protected parcels frustrating buyers and lowering scores.

New research has uncovered that online re-sellers are unknowingly making simple mistakes that deter buyers – and this could be damaging their rating scores.

A survey of 2,000 UK adults by Post Office has revealed maintaining a five-star rating is key to attracting buyers and securing repeat sales on platforms such as Vinted and eBay – with over half (55 per cent) of buyers admitting they wouldn’t trust a seller with a low rating.

The survey also revealed that the most common knocks to five-star ratings come down to small, avoidable details sellers may be overlooking.

The biggest reason buyers leave less-than-perfect feedback is for receiving a poor quality or damaged item (72 per cent).

Presentation also plays a role, with may citing items not being as described (67 per cent), inaccurate photos (57 per cent), and poor or messy packaging (37 per cent) as a factor in reducing their rating.

Late postage is another common frustration, with 35 per cent of buyers citing delivery delays as a reason for holding back five stars. However, 15 per cent of sellers admitted they have posted items later than agreed.

Buyers also cited rude or unhelpful sellers (54 per cent), difficulties with returns or refunds (34 per cent) and overcharging for postage (34 per cent) as reasons for leaving less than favourable ratings.

More than a quarter (27 per cent) of sellers admit they struggle with the practical side of posting, finding it difficult to source the right packaging, while 26 per cent are unsure how best to protect items in transit – increasing the risk of damage before the parcel even arrives.

Candice Ohandjanian, Growth and Partnership Director at Post Office, said: “Five-star reviews are the currency of resale, but over half of buyers won’t trust a seller with a low rating, which means a few avoidable mistakes could be quietly killing your sales. The frustrating thing is that most of the issues we see, such as damaged items, late postage, and poor packaging, are entirely preventable. Post Office makes it straightforward to get right. With 11,500 branches, expert postmasters on hand for packaging advice, and a range of carriers all under one roof, sellers can post on time, in perfect condition, and keep those five-star reviews coming.”

Find out more at: www.postoffice.co.uk/mail

The top 8 reasons buyers hold back from leaving a five-star review include: