19 Best Places To Sell Used Tools (For Extra Money)
Where are the best places to sell used tools? You may find that you don’t need the tool you bought or that it was priced too high.
Either way, selling your tools locally or online is a great way to get value from them before moving on to something else. Buying and selling used tools is also a great side hustle to make money quickly or you could turn it into a whole business.
Here are the best places to sell used tools:
Best Places To Sell Used Tools Locally
Are you looking for the best place to sell used tools near you? If yes, then try these proven local places that will pay lots of money for your tools:
1. Garage Or Yard Sales
2. Flea And Thrift Markets
3. Pawn Shops
4. Consignment Shops
5. Auction Houses
6. The Salvation Army Or Thrift Stores
7. Local Hardware Stores
8. Tool Recycling Centers
9. Habitat For Humanity Restore
10. Library Events
Best Places To sell Used tools online
The internet is full of options, so it can be hard to know where to start.
Here are some of the best places to sell used tools online:
11. Craigslist
12. OfferUp
13. Facebook Marketplace
14. Facebook groups
15. Etsy
16. eBay
17. Amazon
18. Letgo
19. Mercari
Bonus: Swap Meets
Conclusion
What is the best way to sell Used tools?
The best way to sell your used tools is to find a means where you can get the most money for them. In my experience, the most profitable has been to sell locally. There are several good places to sell tools as we will break down in detail later below.
What are used tools worth?
To know your tool’s worth, check out eBay and other online auction sites to see what similar items are sold for and get an idea of how much yours should be priced at.
If there are no comparable listings, do some research into the item itself and how much similar tools would cost new at retail stores like Home Depot or Lowes.
In my experience, the best tools that resell for higher dollars are power tools like drills and saws. They are worth more than other tools like wrenches and hammers.
Best Places To sell used tools locally
Selling your tools locally is the best option to get the most money out of them!
Local buyers are more likely to pay more than online buyers. This is because there are fewer local sellers, so you don’t have a lot of competition for your specific item in their area. Local buyers are also more likely to pay cash and be interested in buying your tools than an online buyer who will probably just check it out but not buy it.
Here are some of the options I have used and recommend for selling tools locally:
1. Garage or yard sales – Best Places To Sell Used Tools
If you have a large collection of tools, consider having a garage sale. To set up a successful garage sale, you’ll need to advertise and promote the sale well in advance.
However, it can be a great way to get rid of old tools quickly without having to pay for postage or shipping. You’ll also get some exercise moving everything around your home and setting up displays for each item.
2. Flea and thrift markets
These markets are a great way for people to buy and sell tools. They’re usually held outdoors, on weekends, and in the morning or early afternoon.
Flea and thrift markets can be found in rural areas where people want to get rid of unwanted items as quickly as possible without worrying about shipping costs or making an appointment with a buyer.
If you have a tool set in good condition, flea markets are one of the best places to get a good deal for your used tools. The key is to find a market that specializes in selling items like yours.
For a fast sale, try using these two methods. However if, you want to get the most money possible for your old tools, consider using a consignment and pawn shop instead.
3. Pawn shops – Best Places To Sell Used Tools Locally
It’s not just for tools, either. You can also sell your jewelry and electronics here. If you want to sell these things, keep in mind that they will be worth less than they were when new. However, if you want quick cash, pawn shops will be one of the best places to sell your tools.
Do tools sell well at pawn shops?
The answer is yes, tools can sell well at pawn shops, but it depends on the item and what you’re trying to sell. If you have a lot of tools that are in good condition and are popular, you can expect to get between 50% and 70% of the retail value.
If you have any specialized or antique tools, you may be able to get more for them than other kinds of tools. For example, if your grandfather’s old hammer is from the 1950s and he was an avid carpenter or mechanic, his hammer could be worth quite a bit more than just its retail value.
As with anything else that you sell at a pawn shop, make sure that all of your items are in good condition before going there. If they aren’t in good condition, then the pawn shop will likely offer you less for them than if they were in great condition.
What tools can you sell at a pawn shop?
If you’re wondering what tools can you sell at a pawn shop, the answer is pretty simple: just about anything.
A pawn shop will consider almost any tool as an item that can be sold on their shelves.
If you have a tool that is in good condition and still works well, then it’s likely that the pawn shop owner will take it off your hands for some cash. This includes power tools, hand tools and gardening tools.
How much are tools worth at a pawn shop?
Pawn shops usually buy items based on their condition and value. The more damaged or broken an item is, the less likely they’ll be willing to pay for it. If your tool is in perfect working order, then you should get close to what you were originally asking for it.
You should also consider the condition and age of your tools. If they’re brand new and still have the tags on them, then expect to get more than if they’re old and worn out.
If you’re going to sell your tools at a Pawn shop, you should find out what they’re worth first. This way you’ll know how much the pawn shop should offer you. You can look online or ask friends who work with tools for advice on how much they’re worth.
What tools do pawn shops pay the most for?
The tools that pawn shops pay the most for are those that can be easily resold. These include:
Tools that are in good condition and have a high resale value.
Popular tools from well-known brands.
Tools that are new or still in their original packaging.
Tools that work perfectly and don’t require any repairs or maintenance.
Some of the less popular items that pawn shops will still buy include:
Antique tools (like hand saws).
Tools from unknown brands (such as cheap tools sold at hardware stores). These won’t be worth much unless they’re really rare or valuable in some other way. like if they were made by a famous person or artist (like Andy Warhol’s paint brushes).
Old tools that are broken and need repairs before they can be used again (like old lawn mowers).
4. Consignment shops
If you have tools that are in good condition and don’t need repairs, a consignment shop may be the best option for you.
When selling tools in this way, there are some things that you should know:
- The store will evaluate your tools to determine what they can sell and how much they can sell them for.
- The store will take care of shipping any items that need to be shipped or returning them by mail if necessary.
- You will receive a check once all items have sold, but only after the shop has received payment from the customers who purchased your item(s).
Before heading over to a consignment shop with your toolbox full of goodies:
- Make sure all items are clean and well organized
- Make sure each item is individually wrapped so it doesn’t get damaged during transport.
If all goes according to plan and everything works out well—that is, if your stuff sells—it’s time to go pick up those hard-earned bucks!
5. Auction houses – Best Places To Sell Used Tools
This is a good option if you have an item that’s in high demand and in excellent condition. Tools such as a power tool, vintage tools, toolboxes, or other durable equipment will sell well here.
The prices at these auctions can be quite high, so it’s important to do your research beforehand and know what similar items have sold for in the past.
6. The Salvation Army or thrift stores
The Salvation Army and Goodwill stores are two of the biggest nonprofit organizations in the country that help people in need. They even partner with each other to make sure that used goods get from one location to another as efficiently as possible.
If you’re looking for an alternative way to recycle your old tools and make a few bucks at the same time, try to sell them at a thrift store like Goodwill or Value Village.
These stores will often buy items outright if they’re still in good condition. Otherwise, they’ll offer you cash back towards store credit or maybe even offer something else as compensation (like coupons).
7. Local hardware stores
You can sell your old tools to a local hardware store. The advantage of selling your old tools to a hardware store is that you don’t have to ship them or package them up.
The disadvantage is that the price you’ll get for them might not be as good as if you sold them at other places. If you decide to sell your old tools to a hardware store, find out if they buy and sell used tools, and how much they pay for them.
If they do, take the time to clean up your tools and make sure they’re in good condition before taking them in for appraisal.
8. Tool Recycling centers
Tool recycling centers are a great place to sell tools. They will pay you for your tools or accept them for free.
This is great if you have an old tool sitting around that you don’t need anymore and want to get rid of. Tool recycling centers also accept electronics and appliances, so if you have any of these items laying around too, bring them in!
9. Habitat for humanity restore
A good place to sell used tools is Habitat for Humanity Restore. The Restore sells new and used furniture, appliances, home accessories, and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price.
Customers can also bring in items they no longer need and receive cash or store credit in return. The Restore has stores across the country, including one in Sacramento, California; Houston, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Orlando, Florida.
10. Library events
Check your local library’s calendar. They might have a used book sale, a yard sale, a community event, and more that could be good places to sell tools.
If you’re not sure where to start, ask the librarian what they know about local events or find out if any new books are coming in that they can tell you about.
How do I sell tools locally?
It’s easy to sell your tools locally. You can do it in person, or by posting a Craigslist ad. If you’re going to sell your tools locally, first make sure you have the right tools for your local market.
Here are some tips for selling tools locally:
- Find out when and where flea markets and tool auctions are held in your area. You can also look up yard sales on Craigslist or on social media sites like Facebook and Reddit.
- Before heading out to sell your stuff, take some time to clean up and organize everything so that it looks appealing and inviting at a glance.
- Put together a display stand with shelves and hooks so people can easily browse through what you have on offer.
Best Places to sell used tools online
This is perfect if you want convenience and exposure to more buyers:
11. Craigslist
If you’re looking to sell your tools online, Craigslist is one of the best websites to consider. This popular classifieds site has a massive following and gets tons of traffic every day.
It’s easy to use and free to post on, and there are plenty of buyers and sellers just waiting for you. However, while Craigslist has its benefits, it also comes with some notable downsides.
For starters: there are lots of scammers on Craigslist who try to trick people into sending them money or personal information.
Also: despite what many people think about Craigslist being “safe”, there have been cases where criminals have used this site to stalk victims or commit crimes such as robbery.
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12.OfferUp
OfferUp is a mobile app that helps you buy and sell locally and online.
Just like Craigslist, it’s an online marketplace where you can post free listings to find the perfect buyer or take advantage of great deals from nearby sellers.
To get started, download the OfferUp app for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone devices. You’ll be directed to create an account with your email address or username, password, and birth date.
OfferUp supports shipping to and from all US states (except Arkansas, Hawaii, and Alaska)!
13. Facebook marketplace
When it comes to selling and buying tools, Facebook Marketplace is definitely one of your best bets. It’s an easy way to sell or buy tools locally or online. You can also use the app on your mobile device and list your item for free.
The Facebook online Marketplace allows users like you to post pictures of all sorts of items—and then other users will respond with their own offers on those items.
Just like OfferUp and Craigslist, I recommend you upload high-quality images of your listings in order to get more buyers.
14. Facebook groups
Another awesome way to sell used tools is by using Facebook groups dedicated to buying and selling second-hand goods. These groups are great because they allow sellers to target specific niches with their advertisements.
For example, if you have a bunch of gardening tools, then you can advertise in an ad hoc group focused on gardening enthusiasts who live nearby. This type of targeted advertising helps increase visibility, which leads to more sales.
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15. Etsy
Etsy is the world’s most popular marketplace for handmade goods. Sellers can list their items for sale and buyers can browse the site to find unique gifts.
This site is great for selling used tools because it’s a place where people are looking for handcrafted items that are unique. If you have a few tools that aren’t being used anymore, chances are someone else will love them just as much as you did when you bought them.
Etsy has over 80 million buyers who visit the site every year. That’s a lot of potential customers! To start selling on Etsy you are going to create your online store and list your items.
They also have a mobile app. Just like amazon and eBay, Etsy charges a commission when you sell an item.
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16. eBay
The most obvious place to sell your used tools is eBay. The two key things to remember about selling on eBay are that you need to be realistic about the prices you set and you need to be patient.
To get a good price for your items, you will have to be patient and wait for the right buyer to come along. If you’re in a hurry, then it’s probably not worth selling on eBay as you’ll end up taking a loss on your items.
If you’ve got a high-value item that won’t sell at auction, then consider offering it as a fixed-price listing instead. For smaller items like screwdrivers, hand tools, and hammers, try putting them up for auction instead of offering a fixed-price listing.
This will give buyers more choices and allow them to bid against each other until one person wins out with the highest bid.
17. Amazon
Selling tools on Amazon is another great option. The site has a huge audience, and it’s easy to list your items for free.
You can even set up an account to sell tools locally, but there are some things you should know first.
Once you know how to list your items and ship them, selling on Amazon is pretty simple. Here’s how:
- Sign up for an Amazon seller account (or log into yours if you already have one).
You’ll need to fill out some basic info about yourself and create payment methods for when people buy from you.
Then, add the product(s) that you want to sell by adding them through the “Sell Yours Here” button found under each product listing on Amazon’s website or app (you’ll see this as soon as you sign up). - Listing these products takes just a few minutes.
Just fill in the details of each product including name, SKU number (which identifies each individual item), price per unit (or combination of units), quantity available for sale at that time; description text explaining what makes this particular tool unique compared with other similar products available elsewhere online. It really is easy once we get started 🙂
Just like Etsy and eBay, amazon lets you list your items for free and only pay a commission when you sell the item.
18. Letgo
LetGo is a mobile app that lets you sell your stuff. The good thing about LetGo is, that it’s easy to use as well and has a lot of traffic.
It’s one of the most used apps to sell items locally and online including tools. LetGo is also free and probably the fastest way to sell your tools in just three steps:
Step 1: Take photos of your items.
Step 2: Enter some basic information such as make, model, condition, and price.
You can even include an optional description if there are any special features about the item that might not be obvious from looking at the photo alone (like if it comes included with an instruction manual).
It’s important because this will allow potential buyers who want more information before making a purchase decision to know what questions should ask themselves before buying something new).
Step 3: Post it and wait for the buyers.
19. Mercari
Mercari is a mobile app that allows anyone with a smartphone to buy and sell used items. It’s the eBay of smartphones, so it’s not surprising that you can use the app to buy or sell tools.
The best part about Mercari is that it’s free for sellers. You don’t need to pay any listing fee. All you have to do is snap a photo of your item and post it on the marketplace.
If someone buys your item from you, all you have to do is ship it out to them or meet them locally.
Bonus: Swap meets
If you’re looking to make some fast cash for your tools in the short term, try swap meets. These events are held at places like fairgrounds, parking lots, and even warehouses.
The events can be as small as one person selling their tools on a folding table or as large as hundreds of people with various tools in an open space.
Typically, these events will be held on weekends during the warmer months when people are more likely to spend their free time outdoors.
You’ll want to keep an eye out for them near your location because they don’t occur every weekend. They may only happen once every couple of months or so!
Conclusion
In the end, there’s really no one “best” place to sell used tools.
I recommend you weigh your options and determine what’s most convenient, best for your wallet, and makes the most sense for you as a seller. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.
