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 | £90 (~$120) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £76 (~$102) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £58 (~$78) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £40 (~$54) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £22 (~$30) | 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 socket set is worth what is being asked:
- Missing sockets, immediately visible in the case
- Rounded socket edges from misuse
- Slipping or seized ratchets
- Cheap unbranded sets
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Complete sets with every socket present
- Chrome vanadium construction
- Recognised brands with lifetime guarantees
- Ratchets with fine tooth counts
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 socket set, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Count against the tray and list every gap. This is the first thing the buyer checks and the case shows it instantly, so there is nothing to gain by vagueness.
Say which, or both. Buyers working on a specific vehicle or machine need one or the other and it is a hard filter.
Test both directions on each ratchet. A slipping ratchet is the usual fault and it is worth disclosing.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Lay the set out and check every recess is filled
- Inspect socket edges for rounding
- Test the ratchet in both directions
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 full set laid out in its open case, everything visible
- The ratchets and extension bars
- A close-up of socket markings showing sizes
- The case and any gap in the tray, plus rust, rounding or damage
Details to confirm before you commit
- Piece count as sold, and how many pieces are actually present
- Drive sizes included, and metric, imperial or both
- Six point or twelve point, and whether deep sockets are included
- Ratchet condition and case condition
Live socket set listings
There is 1 live on WishThrift right now:
When to buy
Steady year round with a spring lift and a strong Christmas window, since tool sets are a common gift. Complete branded sets sell within a fortnight.
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 socket set 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 socket set for what to photograph and how to price, or what socket set is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used socket set?
Around £10 to £58 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 socket set 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 socket set 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 · socket set value guide · selling socket set · Tools & DIY · condition grades.