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 | £400 (~$533) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £340 (~$453) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £260 (~$346) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £180 (~$240) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £100 (~$133) | 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
Size, and whether it will actually get into your home. After that, whether it is solid wood or veneered board, because only one of those survives a house move.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a sofa is worth what is being asked:
- Sagging seat cushions and a frame that creaks under weight
- Pet hair, odours or visible staining
- Very large corner units that fit few rooms
- Flat-pack frames that will not survive another move
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Solid hardwood frames from established makers
- Removable, washable covers
- Mid-century and design pieces with a following
- Firm cushions that still hold their shape
Common faults and fakes
Reproduction pieces sold as period or designer originals are the issue here rather than counterfeits — an unattributed ‘mid-century style’ piece is usually exactly that.
Ask for the height, width and depth, whether it dismantles, and whether the original fixings and instructions are present. Measure your doorway before you commit.
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 sofa, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Give width, depth, height and diagonal. Vague answers here waste an afternoon for both of you when it will not go through the door.
Measure the diagonal and say whether the legs come off. This single detail decides more sofa sales than the price does.
Photograph the cushions lifted and be honest about pets in the home. Buyers with allergies ask specifically and appreciate being told.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Measure width, depth and height, and check it through your own doorway
- Photograph each cushion and the frame underneath
- Search sold listings for the same maker and model
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 whole sofa straight on, in daylight, in the room
- A three-quarter angle showing depth and the arms
- The cushions lifted, showing the base and the underside condition
- The fire-safety label, plus any stain, tear or worn patch
Details to confirm before you commit
- Width, depth and height in centimetres, plus the diagonal for doorway clearance
- Number of seats, and whether it is a sofa bed, recliner or corner unit
- Material: fabric, leather, faux leather, velvet
- Whether the legs unscrew and whether the fire-safety label is attached
Live sofa listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse furniture 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
Sells year round, with lifts around moving season in spring and summer and in the new year. Neutral colours sell considerably faster than bold ones.
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 sofa 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 sofa for what to photograph and how to price, or what sofa is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used sofa?
Around £39 to £260 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 sofa before buying?
Ask for the height, width and depth, whether it dismantles, and whether the original fixings and instructions are present. Measure your doorway before you commit.
Is buying a sofa 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. Size, and whether it will actually get into your home. After that, whether it is solid wood or veneered board, because only one of those survives a house move.
See also: all buying guides · sofa value guide · selling sofa · Furniture · condition grades.