I’ve made £14k on Vinted – I’m a shelf-sweeping shark & don’t care it’s selfish, it’s paid for my hols
PUSHING her shopping trolley through the outlet store aisle Kerry Robertson 50, spots branded Ugg-style boots being laid out.
Without hesitating she grabs five pairs worth a total of £250 for a bargain discount of just a tenner each.
In the next aisle Kerry nabs five Tabitha Wells designer duvet sets normally sold for £100, discounted to just £15 each.
SHELF-SWEEPING SHARK
The admin manager, from Essex, isn't bothered that her unusual bulk buying is raising shoppers' eyebrows. “I’m selfish and proud,” she said. “I’m a shelf-sweeping shark”
Kerry is ‘target shelf-sweeping’ so she can pay for her next 5* overseas holiday with daughter Darcy, 12.
“I am a money-making bargain swiping queen,” she said. “I raid posh outlet stores. I buy items at bargain prices and sell them on for big profits. It pays for lush holidays.
Read More on Vinted
“I once got 10 Dove Glow and Go fake tans for 25p each and sold them for £3.50 each. I made a profit of £32.50.
“I don’t care if I’m trolled. I know how to ‘grab posh bargains’ as soon as they’re put out. I know what sells and how to turn a profit. It’s free money for the taking.
“It’s targeted shelf swiping. I only grab the biggest bargains and best quality products.
"I don't believe in buying cheap tat. I don’t saturate the on-selling market. My bargain price items are always in demand.”
'FREE MONEY'
In total Kerry has made £14k since 2014 and sells her items on.
She uses sites including Vinted “becoming a fan before it was popular” and eBay.
“If I see a chance to spend £100 and make £200, I’ll take it,” she said.
“I’ve cornered the market in buying returned items and excess stock from quality high-street brands and turning them into cash.
“It’s free money for the taking and making in a cost-of-living crisis. You’re missing out or just moaning if you don't do the same thing.
Kerry has been a secondhand online seller for many years, but her specialist form of shelf sweeping started two years ago.
“There are big outlet stores where brands like Marks & Spencer, French Connection and Next sell excess stock or returned items at huge discounts in my area,” she said.
“I’ve used them for more than five years to buy my daughter's school kit.”
LIGHTBULB MOMENT
Then in June 2022 Kerry bought three Marks & Spencer wardrobes which retailed at £800 but had been returned for £150 each saving £600.
“I was renovating our two-bedroom house,” she said, “The builder suggested I install built-in wardrobes.
"I sold the three high end wardrobes on Facebook Marketplace for £300 each.”
It was her lightbulb moment.
“I suddenly realised I had been ignoring a money-making opportunity,” she said. “I was getting these items at the outlet shops at a huge discount. I could make a huge profit if I sold them on.”
CORNERING THE MARKET
Inspired by her quick cupboard cash Kerry started buying more items she found in the outlet shops.
“I’d always bought Darcy leather school shoes from the outlet shops,” she said.
“So, when she needed new school shoes in September 2022, I grabbed five extra pairs all reduced from £40 to £8.
“I knew everyone wanted discount, high quality school shoes. I put them on Vinted and sold them for £20 each making a profit of £60 and put that into a holiday fund.”
Last summer Kerry nabbed high quality supersized rugs in black and white reduced from £120 to just £22 each.
“Those were hugely popular last summer. I put them on Marketplace for £50 and they were sold out within a week. I made a £280 profit.”
According to Kerry she quickly learnt people want quality but at a discount.
“I won’t buy rubbish items,” she said. “If I see something I know I like or my daughter will like or is popular on social media I buy it.
“I bought three single duvet sets in a designer grey with small pom-pom fringing reduced to eight quid from £35. I bought three sets and sold them for £18. It’s easy money.”
TOP SELLING TIPS
- Showcase the item in good light and on a plain background.
- Take photos of front, back and labels.
- Be honest about the condition.
- Combine postage and offer bundles.
- Shop around for cheaper postal services than Royal Mail
Kerry doesn’t just target the posh outlet shops. “My local chemist had Clarins face scrub on sale,” she said. “I nabbed the last two for £8 each instead of £24 which is their normal price.
“It took two weeks, but I flogged them on Vinted for £18 each. It’s proof if you target shelf sweep quality items you get a bigger profit.”
Savvy Kerry has also bought half a dozen branded children’s curtain sets including xBox branded curtains reduced from £60 to just £10.
“I was thrilled when I sold the sets for £30 each making a £120 profit,” she said.
Kerry reckons her best bargain was a new L-shaped sofa.
“I had saved £2k to buy a quality sofa I knew would last forever,” she said.
“I went into the outlet shop and found the sofa I wanted for just £500. I saved £1.5k for our holiday fund,” she said.
I walk into these outlet shops and see free money on offer. All it takes is a bit of effort to post the items with good quality pictures on Vinted, Marketplace or eBay and wait.”
NEVERMIND THE TROLLS
Kerry reckons some trolls will call her selfish for bulk buying bargains and selling them for big profits.
“I do what big brand stores do. They buy cheap wholesale items and on sell for big profits. I am just copying their formula.”
“It’s ridiculous,” she said. “Anyone can do it. These stores have been around for years. I have found a unique on-selling niche. I use it to spoil my daughter and myself.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“Trolls are just moaning because they didn’t think of it. If the bargains are there, grab them. There are no rules limiting what or how many you can buy,” she says.
“It’s just profit jealousy. I do laugh because I reckon many of the trolls are the ones buying my ‘bargain’ offers when I on-sell them. I really do get the last laugh.”
