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 | £100 (~$133) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £85 (~$113) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £65 (~$87) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £45 (~$60) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £25 (~$33) | 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 sander is worth what is being asked:
- Worn pads that no longer hold abrasive
- Blocked or broken extraction ports
- Failed bearings causing vibration
- Cheap unbranded sanders
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Working dust extraction ports
- Hook-and-loop pads still gripping
- Recognised trade brands with pads available
- Variable speed control
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 sander, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Press a disc on and pull it off. A flattened hook pad is the standard fault, and replacement pads are available for most brands.
Give the diameter and hole pattern. Buyers usually already own discs and need to know they will fit.
Test it and say. Sanding without extraction is genuinely unpleasant and buyers treat it as a real feature.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Press abrasive onto the pad and check it grips
- Run it and feel for excessive vibration
- Confirm the dust bag or port adaptor is 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 sander from above, whole
- The pad face, showing hook-and-loop condition
- The dust bag, canister or extraction port
- The cable and rating plate, plus any crack or worn part
Details to confirm before you commit
- Type of sander and pad size or belt dimensions
- Brand, model and wattage or battery voltage
- Whether dust extraction, bag and adapters are included
- Pad condition, and whether any discs or belts are included
Live sander 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 before Christmas. Trade brands sell quickly; unbranded sanders 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 sander 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 sander for what to photograph and how to price, or what sander is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used sander?
Around £12 to £65 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 sander 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 sander 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 · sander value guide · selling sander · Tools & DIY · condition grades.