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 | £55 (~$73) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £47 (~$62) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £36 (~$48) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £25 (~$33) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £14 (~$18) | 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 blinds is worth what is being asked:
- Cut-to-size blinds fitting only one window
- Missing brackets and fixings
- Bent or broken slats
- Tangled or frayed cords
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Standard sizes that suit common windows
- Complete with brackets, fixings and wands
- Wooden and quality fabric blinds
- Undamaged slats and cords
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 blinds, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Check and answer plainly. Looped cords and chains are a genuine hazard to small children, and blinds sold new must include a safety device. If yours has no cleat or breakaway connector, say so.
Measure the blind itself, in millimetres if you can. Blinds cannot be adjusted the way curtains can, so the measurement has to be right.
Say so. Brackets are usually specific to the blind and sourcing replacements for an unbranded blind is difficult.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Measure the exact width and drop
- Confirm all brackets and fixings are present
- Test the mechanism raises and lowers cleanly
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 blind hung or extended fully, whole
- The mechanism, cord or chain, including any safety device
- A tape measure across the exact width
- The brackets and fixings, plus any bent slat, stain or fray
Details to confirm before you commit
- Exact width and drop in centimetres, and whether that is the blind or the recess
- Type — roller, venetian, roman, vertical or pleated
- Whether it is corded or cordless, and what safety device is fitted
- Whether brackets and fixings are included
Live blinds listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse home & garden 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
Steady year round with a spring and autumn lift around redecorating. Common recess sizes sell fastest because they fit standard windows.
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 blinds 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 blinds for what to photograph and how to price, or what blinds are worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for used blinds?
Around £6 to £36 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 blinds 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 blinds 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 · blinds value guide · selling blinds · Home & Garden · condition grades.