CLOTHES SELLING PLATFORM Vinted is launching a website in Ireland this week, where Irish customers can buy pre-loved items online.

The site and app allow ordinary people to buy and sell second-hand items.

Until now, it was only available in the UK, US and some European countries, but the company has been expanding to more markets.

In a statement, it said: “We are excited to confirm that Vinted, Europe’s leading C2C (customer-to-customer) platform for second-hand fashion and more, enters the Irish market.

“Vinted provides an intuitive way for people to easily sell and buy their pre-loved fashion and other lifestyle items with just a few clicks.

“With its app and website, sellers can declutter their wardrobe and keep 100% of what they make because Vinted has zero seller fees.”

There is, however, a “protection fee” that buyers must pay at a rate of 5% of the item’s price plus a fixed fee of 70 cents. It’s said to offer extra measures against fraud, access to Member Support and a refund policy if the item doesn’t arrive, is damaged in transit, or is significantly not as described.

In Ireland, online second-hand clothes shopping has largely been done on Depop. The popular app got rid of its seller fee in the UK earlier this year, but Irish sellers are still charged a 10% fee on the total transaction amount.*

The new Vinted.ie will be connected to the French community, giving members in France and Ireland access to items and customers in both countries.

*An earlier version of this article stated that Irish sellers on Depop no longer have to pay a fee. This was incorrect and has since been amended.