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 | £50 (~$67) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £42 (~$57) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £32 (~$43) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £22 (~$30) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £12 (~$17) | 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 hose reel is worth what is being asked:
- Split or perished hoses
- Seized winding mechanisms
- Missing wall brackets and fittings
- Leaking connectors
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Wall-mounted reels with brackets included
- Hose included and free of splits
- Smooth winding mechanisms
- Recognised garden brands
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 hose reel, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Run water through it and watch the swivel joint. That connection is where hose reels leak and it is easily tested before listing.
Say plainly. A bare reel is worth far less and buyers assume a hose unless told otherwise.
Test the full length. The retraction spring is the mechanism that fails and it is effectively the whole feature.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Wind and unwind it fully
- Run water through and check for leaks
- Confirm the bracket and connectors are present
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 reel whole, with hose wound on
- The hose connection and swivel joint, the usual leak point
- All fittings, nozzle and bracket laid out
- The hose surface, plus any crack, kink, perishing or leak
Details to confirm before you commit
- Hose length and diameter, and whether the hose is included
- Type — freestanding, wall mounted, cart or auto-retracting
- Whether the wall bracket, connectors and nozzle are included
- Whether it has been water tested, and any leak or perishing
Live hose reel 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
April to August is the window, peaking in early summer. Winter listings sit, so hold until spring.
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 hose reel 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 hose reel for what to photograph and how to price, or what hose reel is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used hose reel?
Around £6 to £32 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 hose reel 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 hose reel 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 · hose reel value guide · selling hose reel · Home & Garden · condition grades.