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 | £55 (~$73) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £47 (~$62) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £36 (~$48) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £25 (~$33) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £14 (~$18) | 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
Structural wear at the corners and strap attachment points, and interior odour, which does not photograph and is very hard to remove.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a purse is worth what is being asked:
- Stretched card slots
- Split edge paint along the seams
- Coin section linings that have torn
- Bonded leather, which flakes
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Designer labels with entry-level appeal
- Full-grain leather with even patina
- Card slots that still grip
- Box, dust bag and authenticity card
Common faults and fakes
The most-copied labels are also the most documented — serial placement, heat-stamp font and hardware weight are all checkable, and a seller who will not photograph the interior tab is telling you something.
Ask for the interior serial or brand tab, all four corners, the base, and the lining photographed under natural light. Ask directly whether it has any smell.
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 purse, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Test it repeatedly and answer honestly. A weak clasp is the fault that makes a purse unusable, and it is the first thing a buyer tries.
Say so and photograph it open. It is a deciding feature for a lot of buyers and rarely stated in listings.
Photograph it. Coin abrasion and pen marks are normal in a used purse and buyers accept them when shown.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Check the card slots still hold cards firmly
- Inspect the edge paint on every seam
- Photograph the interior and coin section
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 purse closed, front and back
- Fully open, showing all compartments and the lining
- The clasp or zip mechanism close up
- The corners and any scuff, lining tear or discolouration
Details to confirm before you commit
- Dimensions closed, and material
- Number of card slots, note sections and whether there is a coin compartment
- Closure type, and confirmation it fastens securely
- Condition of the lining, corners and clasp
Live purse listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse bags & handbags 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 year round with a strong lift before Christmas and Mother’s Day. Branded leather purses sell quickly in those windows.
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 purse 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 purse for what to photograph and how to price, or what purse is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used purse?
Around £5 to £36 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 purse before buying?
Ask for the interior serial or brand tab, all four corners, the base, and the lining photographed under natural light. Ask directly whether it has any smell.
Is buying a purse 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. Structural wear at the corners and strap attachment points, and interior odour, which does not photograph and is very hard to remove.
See also: all buying guides · purse value guide · selling purse · Bags & Handbags · condition grades.