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
On garden machinery, whether it starts from cold rather than warm. On glass and ceramics, chips and hairline cracks that do not show in a photograph.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a lamp is worth what is being asked:
- Perished or fabric-covered original flex
- Torn or stained shades
- Chipped ceramic and glass bases
- Generic modern lamps
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recognised design and mid-century pieces
- Original shades in matching condition
- Safe modern wiring or a recent rewire
- Undamaged bases with no chips
Common faults and fakes
Reproduction and ‘in the style of’ pieces sold as originals, particularly in glassware and lighting.
Ask for a video of machinery starting from cold. On glass, ask the seller to photograph the piece against a bright window, which reveals cracks.
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 lamp, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Say it in the title as well. Lamps are frequently sold as base only and buyers have learned to check.
Test it with a known-good bulb and confirm. It takes seconds and removes the buyer’s only real doubt.
Read the fitting and the label and give both the type and the maximum wattage. It decides whether the buyer already has bulbs that fit.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Check the flex and plug for perishing
- Inspect the shade in daylight
- Look for a maker’s mark on the base
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 lamp assembled and lit, whole
- The base and switch
- The flex and plug, close enough to show condition
- The shade inside and out, plus any chip, dent or rust
Details to confirm before you commit
- Overall height including shade, and base dimensions
- Base and shade material
- Bulb fitting type and maximum wattage from the label
- Flex, plug and switch condition, and whether the shade is included
Live lamp listings
There is 1 live on WishThrift right now:
When to buy
Steady year round with a clear lift from September as evenings draw in, and again in January. Mid-century and designer lamps sell within days.
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 lamp 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 lamp for what to photograph and how to price, or what lamp is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used lamp?
Around £6 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 lamp before buying?
Ask for a video of machinery starting from cold. On glass, ask the seller to photograph the piece against a bright window, which reveals cracks.
Is buying a lamp 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. On garden machinery, whether it starts from cold rather than warm. On glass and ceramics, chips and hairline cracks that do not show in a photograph.
See also: all buying guides · lamp value guide · selling lamp · Home & Garden · condition grades.