A Vinted buyer lost £100 on a fraudulent handbag sale, while a FlixBus passenger lost a £700 gaming console. Both incidents underscore concerns regarding customer support and security measures on these platforms.

Vinted Fraud: A Lost Handbag and Delayed Refund

Fraudulent Sale in Battersea

S.H., a reader from Battersea, London, purchased an Anya Hindmarch leather bucket handbag on Vinted for £100. The unusually low price should have been a warning sign, she later realized. Despite believing she had chosen InPost delivery, she inadvertently selected home delivery.

Parcel Marked Delivered, Contents Missing

Vinted prematurely marked the parcel as delivered, and S.H. received an envelope containing only office stationery instead of the handbag. Initial attempts to secure a refund were unsuccessful, as Vinted cited an expired reporting window. The seller also ignored her contact attempts.

Resolution Through Consumer Advice

Following intervention from Sally Hamilton and the provision of photographic evidence of the small envelope, Vinted reconsidered and reimbursed S.H., subsequently blocking the seller.

FlixBus Loss: A Missing Steam Deck Console

Console Left on Coach

R.T. from Liverpool accidentally left a Steam Deck gaming console and memory card, valued at nearly £700, on a FlixBus coach in March. FlixBus initially located the console, but it later disappeared from lost property.

Extensive Search and Frustration

R.T. undertook a considerable journey attempting to locate his console himself. He contacted Sally Hamilton on his father’s advice.

Impact and FlixBus Response

The Steam Deck owner was particularly distressed as he relies on the console for entertainment and connection with friends and his girlfriend, especially during recovery from a DVT. FlixBus has acknowledged the poor service and is currently investigating the incident. Both cases highlight the challenges faced by customers dealing with lost items and inadequate support from online marketplaces and transport companies.