Best Place to Sell Used Tools

Do you have any secondhand tools that you would want to sell? Several stores allow you to sell used tools and receive a portion of your money back. But what is the best place to sell used tools?

Most people will realize that they have too many tools when looking around their homes. Or, to put it another way, they discover they don’t have adequate storage to keep all of their instruments. When this occurs, it’s usually advisable to find a place for buying and selling used tools.

If you are wondering where to sell used tools for cash and if you can still make a reasonable profit, have no worries.

What tools sell the best?

Power tools will always be valuable. However, it might not be easy to find buyers for old non-electric instruments. Power tools can sell for a profit, regardless of where you sell them.

Thousands of dollars have been paid for antique woodworking tools, old levels, and tool chests. However, when they went to auction, each was at least a century old and in near-perfect shape, ensuring that they would look fantastic on display.

The demand for vintage items is high. Selling old shoes from thrift stores can now bring you hundreds of dollars [1].

However, your tools don’t have to be a century-old to sell. In fact, tools are still one of the most popular items to sell on eBay [2]. It could be time to sell anything your family has passed down to you that you don’t need.

Where Should You Sell Used Tools?

If you want to sell used stuff, there are various places that buy used tools for a reasonable price. This article will look at two types of venues where you can sell secondhand tools. Local and online marketplaces are included. We’ll go over each significant used tool marketplace and give you an idea of what to expect.

Best Place to Sell Used Tools Locally

Not everyone likes to bother with shipping; many people prefer to do business in person. These are the most popular methods for selling old tools in person and what sells best.

1. Auction Houses

These may be the best approach for antiques and one-of-a-kind objects to assure that you are paid what your item is worth. Complete sets of tools or toolboxes are the best-selling items at auction houses.

Although you might sell single things, such as old wood carving equipment, you may not receive the price you want. Before putting old tools to auction, don’t fix them up or refinish them, as this will reduce their value.

Auction sites and companies saw remarkable growth in 2020 and 2021 due to a vast quantity of available antiques. According to Consumer Reports, sellers who post products at auctions are more likely to receive the total value of their items than sellers who use other methods.

2. Flea and Thrift Markets

It might be time to rent a booth at a flea market if you have a whole shed full of outdated tools. It’s not as challenging learning how to sell at a flea market

Although you can sell one-of-a-kind items at these markets, those with enough to put up a booth usually make more money.

Rustic-antique sells well at flea and thrift markets, as does anything that gracefully shows its age. Place the most eye-catching things front and center to entice customers to look at the remainder of your stand.

3. Small Neighborhood Hardware Stores

Although not every neighborhood hardware store provides this service, many will gladly buy your old tools or sell them for you for a commission.

This is only viable in one-off and tiny stores, not in big retailers like Lowes. However, if they don’t sell old or used tools themselves, they may know someone who does, so don’t hesitate to ask!

4. Pawn Shops

If you need to sell anything quickly, these are the places to go. Toolboxes, power tools, and unique or outstanding items that aren’t overly common are the best performers at pawn shops.

Unfortunately, this is one of the lowest-paying businesses on our list, as most pawn shops strive to buy for as little as possible to earn a significant profit. Remember to haggle if you want to make more money in this type of store.

 

5. Garage and Yard Sales

Yard and garage sales are fantastic ways to make money while also allowing you to display your stuff without competing with others. The secret to a successful garage or yard sale is to promote it in the weeks preceding up to the day.

Allow folks to see what you’re selling before the big day by posting on Facebook, local Craigslist, and Instagram tags. This will create excitement, causing them to come out to buy.

Each year, between six and nine million garage sales are held, so yours must stand out [4].

Offering digital payment options, such as Payoneer or PayPal, will ensure that your consumer base is not limited and that more individuals can buy from you.

6. Consignment Shops

Clothing is not the only thing you can find in a consignment shop. Many people sell furniture, antiques, and secondhand tools.

It isn’t easy to forecast what will sell at these events, but the more you have, the better. However, be warned that they deduct a percentage from your sales, and if your item does not sell after a few months, you may be given it back.

Best Places to Sell Used Tools Online

It’s easier to sell tools online since it gives you access to a broader audience and the potential to discover someone interested in vintage tools. The best websites for online tool sales are listed below.

1. eBay

Few markets are as large as eBay when selling secondhand products. For folks who consider themselves “shadetree mechanics,” this site has even become a significant vehicle sales hotspot. If you desire to sell something here, you can be confident that you will find a buyer. eBay, unlike many of the other sites on our list, is a global marketplace.

Although eBay is currently the most popular site for selling used tools, it is essential to note that it is not without flaws. Because it’s a flooded market, eBay, according to many sellers, tends to bring in reasonably low sales prices. Nevertheless, getting a good deal on a vintage item is doable.

The more distinctive something is, the faster and for a higher price, it will sell. When it comes to how to sell quickly on eBay, this is a little-known secret. [5]

Every year, vintage and collectible objects such as old tools are among eBay’s top 10 best-selling products. In addition, only 28% of eBay sellers are from the United States, so offering local and rapid shipping is a great way to differentiate yourself from the competition.

Critical factors to consider:

• eBay charges a listing fee. During select campaigns, fees for new vendors may be waived.
• Your account determines how much selling power you have. Visibilities, amenities, and sales protections will differ amongst seller accounts. A personal account with a bit of advertising may suffice if you only need to sell a few tools.
• There are serious problems with eBay’s treatment of sellers. If you look at online forums for eBay sellers, you’ll see several complaints about how eBay operates. However, even if the buyer is at fault, eBay is one of the few sites that explicitly sides with purchasers.
• PayPal is the most popular way of payment on both eBay and Etsy. For both, the payment platform offers a dedicated dispute line.
• You can outsource the labor to a professional eBay seller. They will take a commission on the sale, but they have a better track record.

2. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook has grown in popularity as a venue to sell almost anything, mainly because it allows you to connect with like-minded people in your town. [6]

This marketplace frequently offers some of the best used tool sales prices, but it depends on who buys them and what items you’re selling.

Critical factors to consider:

• There is a selling fee on Facebook, but it can be waived.
• Facebook Marketplace verifies the authenticity of a brand. You can’t sell phony tools here because it will get you banned. Facebook will even verify the origins of your ICON tools [7].
• When meeting someone in person, you must be cautious. Use secure payment methods and conduct your transaction in a well-lit area. Also, use monitored shipping and obtain proof of purchase.
• You can place ads in the classifieds for the products you want to sell. This will increase your chances of selling more unusual tools.

3. Etsy

Etsy may be a nice place to use, depending on the type of tools you’re selling. Although Etsy has a section dedicated to tool sales, it tends to cater to the hobbyist and maker crowd. Etsy is a fantastic platform to use whether you have awls, small drills, antique hammers, or leatherworking tools.

Critical factors to consider:

• There are seller protections in place on Etsy. Etsy has put regulations for sales that go wrong to assure quality sales.
• You’ll have to pay a charge to be listed. This cost varies based on your seller status and other factors.
• Unlike Craigslist, you may advertise your listings to increase their visibility. This is more expensive, but it is the most effective technique to ensure that your product gets noticed by many people. In addition, this is an excellent location for selling old tools.

4. Craigslist

For decades, Craigslist has been a mainstay of the internet’s marketplace. It existed long before eBay! Place an ad under “For Sale” in “Tools” to sell on Craigslist. Then, make an appointment with a buyer and sell your items. Unfortunately, this website is hit or miss when it comes to payouts. Thankfully, a used toolkit may be had for a reasonable price.

Important factors to consider:

• Craigslist has a significant problem with scammers. Hundreds of merchants have been duped into shipping tools to other locations or sometimes robbed during the transaction.
• You will have to pay a charge to post on Craigslist in most parts of the country. Depending on the area you’re seeking to sell in, this might be anything from $5 to $50.
• Sellers are not protected on Craigslist. Choose another platform if you want some security or peace of mind.

Wrapping Up

There’s no excuse for your old tools to sit around collecting dust when so many people want to buy them! Instead, consider selling your tools and investing in one of these fantastic options. There are a variety of platforms for marketing your old tools, ranging from local forums to online marketplaces, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. You may need to conduct your research to determine the best place to sell used tools.