When to choose Vinted, and when a secondhand shop is best (like Arco)

When you come into the shop, you get to feel how soft the clothes are in real life, like this poodle fleece from Tiny Cottons that came in (and then right out) the shop last week.

Vinted has become a household name for the site that hosts secondhand sales of mostly clothing articles, with plenty for kids and babies. And Vinted is great – its efficient, you can search for anything you need, all while sprawled on your couch after a long day of parenting.

I use Vinted. Yep, I have a secondhand kids shop in Lagos, and I still shop on Vinted. Not often, but when I am looking for something specific, I know I can hop on there and find it for a decent price. It will likely be shipped from Belgium or somewhere midway through Europe, which is not the most eco-friendly thing but I accept that sometimes. And yes, I must count on the shipping fees that jack up the price (sometimes so much I decide to pause my purchase). Lastly, I have to cross my fingers hoping that the quality is as good as it states, the last time I bought some “very good condition” t-shirts they came with small holes in them.

But if you live near Lagos, and you need kid 's clothes, books and toys, here is why I think you should come to Arco before heading online: in my shop, you will have an experience that cannot be replaced in the virtual realm.

But first, let 's get the price question out of the way: if you factor in shipping costs, Vinted is about the same price as things you buy in a secondhand shop like Arco. So, price alone is not the reason to stay on the couch.

Here are the two key experiences you will have when coming into Arco:

1.        You get to feel and touch the clothes. When buying new this is less important, but for secondhand shopping, it’s comforting knowing you get to inspect the quality and condition of the piece before paying for it (unlike my last Vinted experience). If there is a small defect, you can see it and decide if it is for you anyway – or not.

2.        Arco is also about community building – not just eco-friendly shopping. Every day at the shop, dozens of families come in and stay, often for a cup of tea and some kid’s playtime. Mums meet and exchange contacts. Friendships are made with people in the same phase of life. This is a special kind of magic that only happens in real life.

We need good options for secondhand shopping both online and offline, and I support a vision of the future where we have such attractive and quality secondhand options that we forget that buying new is even a thing. So, bring on the online secondhand shopping sites, and also keep exploring and supporting your local secondhand boutiques like Arco Preloved in Lagos.

What is your experience with online versus offline secondhand shopping?