Catherine Warrilow

Founder of Sad Vinted Faces. Consumer-rights campaigner. Brand strategist. Mum of two. Oxford.

Work stuff

The Plot: tourism consultancy

I have a tourism consultancy called The Plot. I help visitor attractions and experiences sell more tickets.

Find me on LinkedIn.

Home stuff

Oxford, two teenage boys

I'm a mum of two teenage boys and we live in Oxford.

We like eating out, woodland walks, carboot sales and pickleball.

Other stuff

Teaching women in their 40s to use AI

I teach women in their 40s like me how to use AI to simplify their personal and professional lives.

In 2027 I'm hosting a 2 day / 2 night retreat. A Stacey Solomon / Trinny-esque sort-your-life-out and meet other brilliant-as-sh*t women.

Why I started Sad Vinted Faces

I was an avid Vinted buyer and seller for years. 900 five-star reviews, happily selling things I no longer wanted, buying the odd thing I liked. Then I got scammed with a counterfeit item. Then I lost money on an item that arrived (apparently) as an empty envelope, despite proof it was well packaged.

I started hearing of hundreds of cases far worse than mine. Accounts suspended with no explanation. Pro sellers banned under the same clause their Pro status was meant to allow. Money frozen in wallets with no route to recover it. Customer service that is almost entirely AI, and almost entirely useless.

So I launched sadvintedfaces.com in July 2026, opened a survey, and the responses started coming in. The dataset is now 6,500+ UK users: 964 reporting bans or suspensions, 514 permanent bans, over £450,000 in self-reported losses. I took the story to the media, got in touch with Vinted's CEO Adam Jay, and the campaign has grown faster than I could have planned for.

I won't stop until Vinted fixes this. That's my promise to anyone who has lost money, time or an account to a system that should know better.

Press and recognition

Sad Vinted Faces has been covered by:

The Sun — "Vinted sellers complain after mystery bans over hoodies and blankets" (October 2026)
BBC — follow-up investigation in progress
Full coverage archive at sadvintedfaces.com/coverage

Journalists: for data, case studies, interviews or expert comment on UK consumer rights, Vinted moderation patterns or the new Terms, email camwarrilow@gmail.com.

Get in touch

Taking Vinted to small claims? Journalist on deadline? Want to help with the campaign? Easiest route is a direct email.

Email Catherine

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