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 | £90 (~$120) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £76 (~$102) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £58 (~$78) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £40 (~$54) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £22 (~$30) | 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 again, made worse because it varies between a brand’s own lines. Beyond that it is the midsole: polyurethane crumbles with age even on shoes that were never worn.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether boots is worth what is being asked:
- Cemented soles that cannot be replaced
- Cracked leather across the flex point
- Worn heel blocks and thin soles
- Salt staining from winter wear
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Goodyear-welted or stitched construction that can be resoled
- Recognised makers with resoling services available
- Uppers with no cracking across the vamp
- Original laces, box and any dust bags
Common faults and fakes
Fakes usually show in the stitching regularity, the finish on the branded hardware, and a box label whose style code does not match the shoe inside.
Ask for the insole length in centimetres rather than the size, plus photographs of the sole, the heel counter and the inside of the shoe.
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 boots, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Look for stitching around the welt and answer. Resoleable boots are worth substantially more because the buyer is purchasing decades of use, not a season.
Photograph the soles flat and honestly. Tread wear is easy to judge from a picture and impossible to argue about afterwards.
Check the inner label and the cut edge of the material. Say plainly if they are synthetic — it is not a problem stated up front and is a real one discovered later.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Look at the sole edge for a welt stitch line
- Flex the vamp and check for cracking
- Check the heel block and sole thickness
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- Both boots side on, upright, on a plain surface
- The soles, showing tread, heel wear and whether there is a stitched welt
- The size stamp, legible
- The leather uppers close up, plus any scuff, crack or separation
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, model and size with the sizing system stated
- Leather or synthetic, and whether the sole is welted or cemented
- Sole and heel wear, and whether they have been resoled before
- Whether they are waterproof or steel toe capped, if relevant
Live boots listings
There are 2 live on WishThrift right now:
- Tan Leather Heeled Ankle Boots — Size 6
- Boho Outfit Bundle – Wrap Top, Lace Maxi Skirt, Suede Bag & Leather Boots
When to buy
Autumn and winter are strongest, with a clear peak from September to December. Quality welted boots hold value all year; fashion boots follow the season closely.
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 boots 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 boots for what to photograph and how to price, or what boots are worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for used boots?
Around £13 to £58 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 boots before buying?
Ask for the insole length in centimetres rather than the size, plus photographs of the sole, the heel counter and the inside of the shoe.
Is buying boots 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 again, made worse because it varies between a brand’s own lines. Beyond that it is the midsole: polyurethane crumbles with age even on shoes that were never worn.
See also: all buying guides · boots value guide · selling boots · Shoes & Footwear · condition grades.