Where to Buy Second Hand Jellycat in the UK — Parent's Guide
Jellycat is Britain's most beloved soft toy brand, and with good reason. Their plush animals are extraordinarily soft, beautifully made, and built to last a lifetime. However, they are also expensive, with many designs retailing between £25 and £60.
The good news? Jellycat toys are so well-made that they hold up brilliantly in preloved condition, making them one of the smartest secondhand Jellycat UK buys for parents. Here is exactly where to find them and what to look for to grab a bargain.
Why Second-Hand Jellycat Is Worth Buying
If you are looking for cheap Jellycat UK options, buying preloved is a no-brainer. Here is why savvy parents are making the switch:
- Premium Durability: Jellycat uses premium materials. A gently used Bashful Bunny is often indistinguishable from a brand new one after a quick wash.
- Retired Designs: Jellycat frequently retires specific designs. Many discontinued characters are only available when you buy used Jellycat toys, making preloved the only option for sought-after styles.
- Massive Price Difference: A new Jellycat Medium Bashful Bunny retails at £25–£30. In comparison, preloved equivalents in Very Good Condition (VGC) often start from just £8–£14.
What to Check When Buying a Preloved Jellycat
Not all preloved Jellycat UK sellers have the same standards. Before you buy, ensure you check these four key areas:
- Fabric Condition: Look closely at photos for pilling, matting, or thinning in the plush. Some wear is normal for a loved toy, but heavy matting suggests it has been through the wash too many times at high heat.
- Eyes and Nose: Check these are firmly attached with no scratches. For children under 36 months, secure safety eyes are non-negotiable.
- Smell and Cleanliness: A quality seller will have washed the toy before listing. At EcoKartUK, every soft toy is washed and sanitised before it reaches you.
- Labels: For safety assurance, the UK/CE or UKCA safety labels should be intact and legible, especially if the toy is intended for a young child.
Where to Buy Second-Hand Jellycat in the UK
There are several places to hunt for Jellycat secondhand, but they offer different levels of quality and convenience.
| Platform | Price Range | Key Pros | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| EcoKartUK | £8–£20 | Quality-checked, washed, condition-graded | Stock sells very quickly |
| Vinted | £5–£18 | Large volume of listings | No quality checks; hidden shipping fees |
| eBay | £8–£30 | Wide variety of retired items | Condition descriptions vary; bidding wars |
| Facebook Marketplace | £5–£15 | Local collection (no postage) | No guarantees on cleaning/smells |
| Charity Shops | £2–£8 | Very cheap | Condition is unpredictable; hard to find |
Most Popular Second-Hand Jellycat Designs at EcoKartUK
We restock our soft toys weekly. These are the designs that fly off the shelves fastest:
- Bashful Bunny: The UK's #1 soft toy. Available in beige, cream, tulip pink, and silver.
- Smudge the Cat/Dog: Consistently requested for their ultra-soft, floppy design.
- Amuseable Series: The famous quirky food and object plushies (avocados, toast, clouds).
- Ocean Creatures: Odell Octopus and Larry Lobster are firm favourites.
- Woodland Animals: Foxes, badgers, and squirrels are always popular in autumn.
Caring for Your Preloved Jellycat
Once your second-hand Jellycat UK delivery arrives, keeping it soft is easy if you follow these rules:
- Wash Cool: Machine wash on a 30°C gentle cycle. Always place the toy inside a pillowcase or laundry bag to protect the eyes and fur.
- Air Dry Only: Never tumble dry a Jellycat. Heat melts the synthetic fibres and causes "frizz". Hang it up to air dry.
- Restore the Fluff: Once dry, brush the fur gently with a clean soft hairbrush or a pet slicker brush. This separates the fibres and restores that "new" fluffiness.
- Storage: Store away from direct sunlight to prevent colour fading.