What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects them on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £120 (~$160) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £102 (~$136) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £78 (~$104) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £54 (~$72) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £30 (~$40) | 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 sunglasses is worth what is being asked:
- Scratched lenses, which are costly to replace
- Loose hinges and stretched arms
- Missing case and documentation
- Counterfeits, which buyers check markings for
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recognised designer and optical brands
- Original case, cloth and papers
- Lenses free of scratches and delamination
- Model and serial markings legible on the arm
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 sunglasses, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Hold them at an angle in strong light and photograph what you see. Head-on photos hide scratches and buyers know it.
Photograph the model number, the etched logo on the lens if there is one, and the arm markings. WishThrift does not verify items, so your photographs are the evidence.
Say either way. Original cases are surprisingly valuable on designer frames and make postage much safer.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Find the model and serial markings on the inside of the arm
- Hold the lenses to the light at an angle to reveal scratches
- Gather the case, cloth and any paperwork
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 frames front on, folded, on a plain background
- The inside of the arm showing the model number and sizing
- The lenses at an angle in strong light, revealing any scratches
- The case, cloth and any papers included
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, model number and colour code from the arm
- Lens width, bridge and arm length, printed on the inside of the arm
- Lens condition, including any scratches or coating wear
- Whether the case, cleaning cloth and paperwork are included
Live sunglasses 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
Strongly seasonal, peaking April to August. Designer frames sell year round; high-street sunglasses barely sell outside the summer.
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 sunglasses 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 sunglasses for what to photograph and how to price, or what sunglasses are worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for used sunglasses?
Around £6 to £78 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 sunglasses 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 sunglasses 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 · sunglasses value guide · selling sunglasses · Clothing · condition grades.