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 | £25 (~$33) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £21 (~$28) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £16 (~$22) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £11 (~$15) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £6 (~$8) | 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
Condition described optimistically, and bundles that turn out to be mixed sizes rather than the size advertised.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether kids clothes is worth what is being asked:
- Stains, particularly around collars and knees
- Bobbling and thinning on cheaper fabrics
- Single items, which rarely justify postage
- Faded prints and cracked transfers
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Bundles grouped by age and season
- Recognised brands with durable construction
- Unstained, unbobbled items with no lost buttons
- School-ready and outerwear items in demand
Common faults and fakes
Not a counterfeit category in practice. The issue is marks and bobbling that a bright photograph hides.
Ask whether the bundle is one size or a range, how many items it contains, and for a photograph of everything laid out together rather than folded.
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 kids clothes, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
List it by item type and count. Parents are working out whether it covers a season and a vague description invites low offers.
Check knees, cuffs and fronts under good light and disclose everything. Parents expect some wear and resent finding undisclosed marks.
Answer if asked, and volunteer it if true. Parents buying children’s clothes ask this more than any other category.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Sort by age band and photograph the bundle laid out
- Check every item in daylight for stains
- Count the items and state the sizes clearly
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 full bundle laid out so every item is visible
- A close view of two or three of the best pieces
- The size labels grouped together
- Any stain, hole or worn knee, photographed honestly
Details to confirm before you commit
- Age band and gender, and the exact number of items
- A list of what the bundle contains by type
- Any recognisable brands included
- Condition of each item, and any stains or damage listed openly
Live kids clothes listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse kids’ 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
Seasonal by nature — sell summer bundles in spring and winter bundles in early autumn. Bundles priced sensibly sell within days; individual items rarely sell at all.
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 kids clothes 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 kids clothes for what to photograph and how to price, or what kids clothes are worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for used kids clothes?
Around £3 to £16 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 kids clothes before buying?
Ask whether the bundle is one size or a range, how many items it contains, and for a photograph of everything laid out together rather than folded.
Is buying kids clothes 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. Condition described optimistically, and bundles that turn out to be mixed sizes rather than the size advertised.
See also: all buying guides · kids clothes value guide · selling kids clothes · Kids’ Clothing · condition grades.