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 | £300 (~$400) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £255 (~$340) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £195 (~$260) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £135 (~$180) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £75 (~$100) | 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
Surface noise that a photograph cannot show, and warps. On decks, perished belts and worn styli — both cheap, but worth knowing about.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a turntable is worth what is being asked:
- Worn styli, which damage records
- Perished belts causing slow or wavering speed
- Missing counterweights, which are model-specific
- Suitcase and all-in-one players, worth very little
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Belt or direct drive decks from respected makers
- Correct, stable speed on both settings
- A cartridge and stylus in good order
- Original dust cover, mat and counterweight
Common faults and fakes
Later repressings sold as original pressings. The matrix number in the run-out groove settles it and is checkable.
Ask for the catalogue and matrix numbers, and ask whether the record has been play-graded rather than eyeballed. Ask for a photograph of the vinyl under a lamp.
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 turntable, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Read the model off the cartridge body. It is a meaningful part of the value and this audience prices it separately.
Test with a strobe disc or phone app and give the result. Belt-driven decks drift as belts age and buyers expect the check.
List anything done — new belt, rewired arm, upgraded cartridge or platter. Documented upgrades add value with this audience.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Check the platter speed is steady on both settings
- Inspect the stylus tip under magnification
- Confirm the counterweight and headshell 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 deck from above with the lid open, whole
- The tonearm and cartridge close up
- The rear outputs and any switches
- The platter and belt or motor, plus any plinth damage
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, model, and drive type: belt, direct or idler
- Tonearm type and cartridge fitted, plus whether it is original or an upgrade
- Approximate stylus hours, and speed accuracy
- Whether the dust cover, mat, counterweight and original box are included
Live turntable listings
There is 1 live on WishThrift right now:
When to buy
Steady with an active hi-fi market and a Christmas lift. Well-regarded models sell within days; unbranded decks sit.
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 turntable 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 turntable for what to photograph and how to price, or what turntable is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used turntable?
Around £32 to £195 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 turntable before buying?
Ask for the catalogue and matrix numbers, and ask whether the record has been play-graded rather than eyeballed. Ask for a photograph of the vinyl under a lamp.
Is buying a turntable 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. Surface noise that a photograph cannot show, and warps. On decks, perished belts and worn styli — both cheap, but worth knowing about.
See also: all buying guides · turntable value guide · selling turntable · Vinyl & CDs · condition grades.