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 | £120 (~$160) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £102 (~$136) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £78 (~$104) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £54 (~$72) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £30 (~$40) | 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
Cordless tools sold without batteries or a charger, which can cost more to replace than the tool is worth, and worn brushes on corded tools.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a ladder is worth what is being asked:
- Missing or perished rubber feet
- Bent stiles from overloading
- Loose rivets and moving rungs
- Painted ladders, where paint can hide damage
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Intact non-slip feet on every stile
- Straight stiles with no bends or dents
- Tight rivets and secure rung joints
- Certification labels still legible
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeit batteries and chargers are widespread and are a genuine fire risk. Fake tools themselves are rarer but exist in the premium brands.
Ask which battery platform it takes, exactly what is included, and for a photograph of the tool running. Buy batteries from a reputable source rather than with the tool.
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 ladder, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Give it. Transport is the main obstacle to a ladder sale and a buyer needs to know whether it goes on a roof rack or in a van.
Check both and photograph them. Perished or missing feet are a slip risk and replacements are model specific.
Read the label if there is one. Trade buyers often need a specific duty rating and will not buy an unrated domestic ladder for work use.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Stand it up and check it sits firm with no rock
- Flex each rung and check the rivets do not move
- Confirm all rubber feet 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 ladder fully extended, whole, against a wall
- The ladder closed, with a tape showing transport length
- The feet and the locking hooks or catches
- The label showing class or rating, plus any bend, crack, corrosion or missing foot
Details to confirm before you commit
- Closed and extended length, and number of sections
- Material, and class or duty rating from the label
- Whether the feet, locking catches and rope are present and sound
- Any bend, crack or corrosion, described plainly
Live ladder listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse tools & diy 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
Lifts in spring and summer with outdoor work. Trade-rated ladders sell quickly year round; domestic step ladders are plentiful and compete on price.
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 ladder 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 ladder for what to photograph and how to price, or what ladder is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used ladder?
Around £16 to £78 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 ladder before buying?
Ask which battery platform it takes, exactly what is included, and for a photograph of the tool running. Buy batteries from a reputable source rather than with the tool.
Is buying a ladder 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. Cordless tools sold without batteries or a charger, which can cost more to replace than the tool is worth, and worn brushes on corded tools.
See also: all buying guides · ladder value guide · selling ladder · Tools & DIY · condition grades.