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 | £35 (~$47) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £30 (~$40) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £23 (~$30) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £16 (~$21) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £9 (~$12) | 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
Condition described optimistically, and bundles that turn out to be mixed sizes rather than the size advertised.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a kids coat is worth what is being asked:
- Broken zips, the most common fault
- Cuff fraying and stained sleeves
- Delaminated waterproof coatings
- Listing winter coats in spring
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recognised outdoor and kidswear brands
- Working zips and intact cuffs
- Waterproof coats with functioning coatings
- Bundles by size and season
Common faults and fakes
Not a counterfeit category in practice. The issue is marks and bobbling that a bright photograph hides.
Ask whether the bundle is one size or a range, how many items it contains, and for a photograph of everything laid out together rather than folded.
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 kids coat, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Say what you have observed. Coatings wear off and a coat that no longer beads should be described as showerproof at best, or as needing reproofing.
Give chest and length flat. Age labels differ so much between brands that the measurement is what parents actually use.
Photograph any mark in daylight. Children’s coats collect marks and buyers expect some; they just want to see them.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Run the zip fully several times
- Check the cuffs and collar in daylight
- State the age and chest measurement
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 coat flat or on a hanger, front, whole
- The back and the hood
- The zip fully closed and the cuffs
- The label showing brand and size, plus any stain, tear or worn patch
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, age or size label, plus chest and length measured flat
- Whether it is waterproof, showerproof or neither, and whether it is lined
- Zip, popper and hood condition
- Any stain, tear or repair, stated plainly
Live kids coat listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse kids’ clothing 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
Strongly seasonal. Winter coats sell from September to December and waterproofs in spring and autumn. A padded winter coat listed in May will sit, so hold it until autumn.
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 kids coat 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 kids coat for what to photograph and how to price, or what kids coat is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used kids coat?
Around £5 to £23 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 kids coat before buying?
Ask whether the bundle is one size or a range, how many items it contains, and for a photograph of everything laid out together rather than folded.
Is buying a kids coat 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. Condition described optimistically, and bundles that turn out to be mixed sizes rather than the size advertised.
See also: all buying guides · kids coat value guide · selling kids coat · Kids’ Clothing · condition grades.