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 | £150 (~$200) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £128 (~$170) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £98 (~$130) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £68 (~$90) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £38 (~$50) | 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
Cordless tools sold without batteries or a charger, which can cost more to replace than the tool is worth, and worn brushes on corded tools.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a tool set is worth what is being asked:
- Missing sockets and bits, which buyers count
- Rounded sockets and worn spanner jaws
- Surface rust from damp storage
- Cheap unbranded sets, which sell for very little
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Complete sets with every piece present
- Recognised makers offering lifetime guarantees
- Chrome vanadium and hardened steel construction
- Original case with intact fittings
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeit batteries and chargers are widespread and are a genuine fire risk. Fake tools themselves are rarer but exist in the premium brands.
Ask which battery platform it takes, exactly what is included, and for a photograph of the tool running. Buy batteries from a reputable source rather than with the tool.
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 tool set, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Lay it out in the case and count. Photographs of a full case sell sets; vague claims of completeness invite lowball offers.
Check the markings and say. Buyers usually need one or the other, and a mixed set suits some and frustrates others.
Look closely at the chrome and photograph honestly. Light surface rust cleans off and buyers accept it when shown.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Lay the set out in its case and check for gaps
- Inspect socket edges for rounding
- Photograph the full set in the open case
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 set laid out in its case, from directly above
- Any empty slots, clearly visible
- A close view of socket and spanner markings
- Any rust, rounding or damage, plus the case exterior
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, nominal piece count, and how many pieces are actually present
- Which drive sizes are included: quarter, three-eighths, half inch
- Metric, imperial or both
- Condition of the tools and the case, and any rust or rounding
Live tool set listings
There is 1 live on WishThrift right now:
When to buy
Steady all year with a spring lift. Trade brands hold value well; unbranded sets sell cheaply but reliably.
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 tool set 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 tool set for what to photograph and how to price, or what tool set is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used tool set?
Around £13 to £98 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 tool set before buying?
Ask which battery platform it takes, exactly what is included, and for a photograph of the tool running. Buy batteries from a reputable source rather than with the tool.
Is buying a tool set 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. Cordless tools sold without batteries or a charger, which can cost more to replace than the tool is worth, and worn brushes on corded tools.
See also: all buying guides · tool set value guide · selling tool set · Tools & DIY · condition grades.