What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £60 (~$80) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £51 (~$68) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £39 (~$52) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £27 (~$36) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £15 (~$20) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Sizing, above everything. A garment that does not fit is the commonest reason a second-hand clothing purchase disappoints, and it is entirely avoidable by asking for flat measurements rather than trusting the label.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a raincoat is worth what is being asked:
- Delaminated coating flaking off the inner face
- Seam tape lifting at the shoulders
- Wetting out, where the face fabric soaks rather than beads
- Unbranded raincoats, which sell for very little
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recognised technical brands with named membranes
- Taped seams still fully bonded inside
- Working two-way and pit zips
- Durable water repellent still beading
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeits concentrate in a handful of premium labels and are usually given away by the internal tags rather than the outside: font weight, stitch density on the label edge, and a care label that does not match the era of the design.
Ask for a photograph of the inner label and the garment laid flat with a tape measure across the chest and the length. Both are quick for an honest seller and awkward for anyone who does not have the item in front of them.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about a raincoat, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Test it with water and answer from that rather than the label. Coatings wear out and a coat sold as waterproof that lets water through is a genuine complaint.
Turn it inside out and look, especially at the shoulders. Flaking polyurethane is not repairable and must be disclosed.
Give chest and length flat. Raincoats are often worn over layers, so buyers size up and need the real numbers.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Turn it inside out and check the seam tape is fully bonded
- Splash water on the shoulders and see whether it beads
- Note the membrane name from the label
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The coat on a hanger, front, whole
- The taped seams inside, close up
- The hood and cuffs, showing adjusters
- The care label with size and fabric, plus any peeling, stain or worn area
Details to confirm before you commit
- Chest and length measured flat, plus the label size
- Whether it is waterproof, showerproof, or a shower-resistant fashion coat
- Whether the seams are taped, and whether it is lined
- Any peeling of the inner coating, which is the usual end-of-life fault
Live raincoat listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse clothing for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Lifts in autumn and again in spring. Technical outdoor brands sell year round; fashion raincoats are seasonal and compete on style.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have a raincoat sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell raincoat for what to photograph and how to price, or what raincoat is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used raincoat?
Around £10 to £39 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check a raincoat before buying?
Ask for a photograph of the inner label and the garment laid flat with a tape measure across the chest and the length. Both are quick for an honest seller and awkward for anyone who does not have the item in front of them.
Is buying a raincoat second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Sizing, above everything. A garment that does not fit is the commonest reason a second-hand clothing purchase disappoints, and it is entirely avoidable by asking for flat measurements rather than trusting the label.
See also: all buying guides · raincoat value guide · selling raincoat · Clothing · condition grades.