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 | £250 (~$333) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £212 (~$283) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £162 (~$216) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £112 (~$150) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £62 (~$83) | 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
Safety history you cannot see. A car seat that has been in a collision, a cot with a replaced part, or an item subject to a recall all look completely normal.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a cot bed is worth what is being asked:
- Missing conversion panels, which prevent the second life
- Lost fittings and bolts
- Teeth marks along the top rails
- Non-standard mattress sizes
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Complete with conversion parts and side panels
- All fittings and the original instructions
- Solid wood with a sound, unmarked finish
- Mattress in standard cot bed size included
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeit car seats and carriers exist and fail catastrophically in exactly the situation they were bought for. Buy safety-critical items new.
Ask for the manufacture date and model number, then check the recall lists yourself — they are free to search. Do not buy a used car seat, carrier or helmet at all.
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 cot bed, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Check carefully. Cot beds without their conversion rails are worth no more than a plain cot, and buyers ask specifically.
Count them against the instructions. Missing bolts are the main reason a cot sale falls through at collection.
Say either way. Many buyers prefer a new mattress regardless, so it is not a problem when stated upfront.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Confirm the conversion side panels are present
- Bag every fitting before dismantling
- Measure the mattress base and state the size
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 cot bed assembled in cot configuration
- The conversion parts and all fittings laid out with the instructions
- The mattress base and slats from above
- Any teeth marks on the rails, plus any crack or damage
Details to confirm before you commit
- Mattress size in centimetres, and whether a mattress is included
- Whether the conversion parts to toddler bed are present
- All fittings and instructions accounted for
- Material, height adjustment positions, and any damage
Live cot bed listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse baby & kids 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 all year. Cot beds sell faster and for more than plain cots because they last from birth to around four years.
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 cot bed 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 cot bed for what to photograph and how to price, or what cot bed is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used cot bed?
Around £32 to £162 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 cot bed before buying?
Ask for the manufacture date and model number, then check the recall lists yourself — they are free to search. Do not buy a used car seat, carrier or helmet at all.
Is buying a cot bed 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. Safety history you cannot see. A car seat that has been in a collision, a cot with a replaced part, or an item subject to a recall all look completely normal.
See also: all buying guides · cot bed value guide · selling cot bed · Baby & Kids · condition grades.