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 | £30 (~$40) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £26 (~$34) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £20 (~$26) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £14 (~$18) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £8 (~$10) | 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 kids shoes is worth what is being asked:
- Worn-down soles and moulded footbeds
- Scuffed toes on school shoes
- Odour, which is difficult to remove
- Very small sizes worn only briefly but heavily
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Barely worn shoes with tread still visible
- Recognised brands with proper fitting construction
- School shoes and wellies in common sizes
- Original box for smarter styles
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 kids shoes, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Photograph the soles and answer plainly. Lightly worn children’s shoes are a genuinely good buy; heavily moulded ones are not, and saying so builds the trust that sells the rest of your listings.
Measure it in centimetres. Brand sizing differs and parents who have had a child measured work in centimetres, not sizes.
Say so, and note if they are the type that can be re-polished. Leather school shoes clean up far better than synthetic ones and it is worth mentioning.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Photograph the soles as well as the uppers
- Check the insole for a moulded impression
- State the size in both UK and EU where marked
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 pair side on, clean, standing
- Both soles, showing the wear pattern honestly
- The insoles and inside of the heel
- The size marking, plus any scuff, split or worn toe
Details to confirm before you commit
- Size as marked, width fitting if given, and internal length in centimetres
- Brand and material
- How much they have been worn, honestly
- Sole and heel wear pattern, and the state of the insole
Live kids shoes 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
Peaks in August for school shoes and again in spring. Barely-worn shoes in common sizes sell within days in season.
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 kids shoes 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 shoes for what to photograph and how to price, or what kids shoes are worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for used kids shoes?
Around £4 to £20 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 kids shoes 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 kids shoes 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 shoes value guide · selling kids shoes · Kids’ Clothing · condition grades.