Where to sell used power tools (and get a fair price)
In this guide
- Where can you sell power tools? The options compared
- The main ways to sell, and when to use each
- How to choose where to sell
- How to sell tools fast (and for more)
- Selling yard and garden power tools
- Shipping a tool with a lithium-ion battery
- Stay safe when you sell
- Selling one brand to switch to another?
- What you'll need
- Questions people ask
Selling a used power tool means picking a channel that trades price against speed. Local apps pay the most, eBay reaches the most buyers, and a pawn shop pays fastest. This guide is part of our hand tools and workshop hub.
Where can you sell power tools? The options compared
| Where | Fees to you | How fast | Price you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook Marketplace (local pickup) | No selling fee on local pickup | Hours to days | High | Common cordless tools, yard tools |
| OfferUp or Craigslist (local) | Usually free for local sales; check your area | Hours to days | High | Same as above; a second audience |
| Nextdoor or local tool groups | Free | Days | Medium to high | Neighbors and trades buyers |
| eBay (shipped) | 13.6% of the total sale for most categories, plus $0.40 per order over $10 | Days to a week | High for rare tools; fees cut into common ones | Pro-grade, rare or vintage tools |
| Pawn shop (sale or loan) | No fee, but a low offer | Same hour | Lowest | Cash today |
| Buy-sell or consignment shop | Varies by shop | Same day to weeks | Low to medium | No-hassle selling |
eBay's figures come from its published fee page. Check the page for your category before you list, because some categories differ. Other platforms change their fees from time to time, so check before you post.
The main ways to sell, and when to use each
Local apps: the most money for common tools
Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and Craigslist put your tool in front of nearby buyers. On Marketplace, local pickup sales carry no selling fee at the time of writing. Shipped orders do carry a fee, and Meta changes it, so check its current seller-fee page. You also skip packing and shipping. That makes local apps the best choice for everyday cordless tools, corded saws and yard tools.
The trade-off is your time. You'll answer messages, field low offers and meet buyers.
eBay: the most buyers for rare or pricey tools
eBay shows your listing to buyers across the country. That helps with pro-grade tools, rare models and vintage tools that few local buyers want. eBay's fee page lists a final value fee of 13.6% of the total sale for most categories, on sales up to $7,500. It adds $0.40 per order over $10. Most sellers get 250 free listings a month.
On a $100 tool, that's about $14 in fees before shipping. For common tools, a local sale often nets more.
Pawn shops: the fastest cash, the lowest price
A pawn shop can sell your tool outright or give you a loan against it. The National Pawnbrokers Association says that if a pawn loan isn't repaid, ownership of the item passes to the shop. Bring ID. The shop records the item, which helps police track stolen goods.
Use a pawn shop when you need cash today. Don't use it to get the best price.
Buy-sell and consignment shops
Some local shops buy used tools outright or sell them for you for a cut. Terms vary a lot from shop to shop. Ask what they pay and how long consignment items sit before they come back to you.
How to choose where to sell
- You want the most money: list on two local apps. Add eBay only for rare or pro-grade tools.
- You want it gone this week: price a little under recent sold listings on local apps.
- You need cash today: pawn shop or a buy-sell store.
- It's big and heavy (mower, table saw, generator): sell locally. Shipping costs can wipe out the profit.
- It's a whole collection: sell the best tools one by one, then offer the rest as a bundle.
How to sell tools fast (and for more)
1. Find the real market price
Search your exact model number and filter for sold listings. Asking prices tell you what sellers hope for. Sold prices tell you what buyers paid. Price a little under the middle of the sold range if you want a quick sale.
2. Clean, charge and test
Blow out the dust, wipe the grease and charge the battery. Run the tool. A buyer who sees it work pays more and haggles less. If a battery won't take a charge, check it first with our 5-minute battery swap test.
3. Shoot clear photos
Take 6 to 10 photos in daylight. Include the front, the back, the nameplate with the model number, the battery, the charger and any wear. A short clip of the tool running helps a lot.
4. Write a plain, complete listing
Put the brand, model number and voltage in the title, like "Ryobi 18V ONE+ drill/driver." Then list what's included, its condition and any flaws. Buyers search by model number and battery platform. Our guide to power tool battery platforms explains which batteries fit which tools.
5. Decide: kit or single tools
Most buyers already own batteries for their brand. A bare tool sells to them. A kit with batteries and a charger sells to someone starting fresh. If you're not sure, list the kit and say you'll split it.
Selling yard and garden power tools
Mowers, string trimmers, blowers and pressure washers are bulky. Sell them locally. For gas tools, drain the fuel or add stabilizer, and say in the listing that it starts. For battery yard tools, include the battery and charger. They're often the most valuable part of the sale.
Shipping a tool with a lithium-ion battery
Carriers treat lithium-ion batteries as hazardous materials. USPS sets its rules in Publication 52. Loose batteries, batteries inside a tool and damaged batteries can each have different rules. Read your carrier's current rules before you ship. If you're not sure, sell the battery locally, or ship the tool bare.
Stay safe when you sell
- Meet in public. Many police stations have a safe exchange spot.
- Take cash or a payment app you trust. Count cash before you hand over the tool.
- Never accept an overpayment. The FTC warns that a "buyer" who sends a check for more than the price and asks for the difference back is running a scam. The check bounces later, and you lose the money and the tool.
- Don't ship before payment clears when you sell outside a platform's own checkout.
Selling one brand to switch to another?
If you're leaving a platform, sell the batteries and chargers with the tools. They hold buyers' interest best. If you're weighing a switch, read is Ryobi a good brand and browse the brand owner's help hub. If you're on the other side of the deal, our buying used tools checklist shows what careful buyers will check.
What you'll need
- Phone camera and good light: 6 to 10 clear photos per tool
- Model and serial numbers: From the tool's nameplate
- A charged battery and the charger: Buyers want to see it run
- Rag and a soft brush: Clean off dust and grease
- Original case or box: Helps the price if you still have it
Key takeaways
- Local apps (Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist) usually net the most money, because local pickup sales carry no selling fee on Marketplace and you don't ship anything.
- eBay reaches buyers nationwide. Its fee page lists 13.6% of the total sale for most categories, plus $0.40 per order over $10.
- A pawn shop is the fastest cash, but it pays the least. A pawn loan is not a sale: if you don't repay it, the shop keeps the tool.
- Price from sold listings, not asking prices. A tool that's clean, charged and tested, with its battery and charger, sells faster.
- Ship lithium-ion tool batteries only under the carrier's hazardous-materials rules. Never accept an overpayment and refund the difference.
Questions people ask
What is the best place to sell power tools?
For most people, a local app like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp or Craigslist. Local pickup avoids selling fees and shipping. For rare, pro-grade or high-value tools, eBay can bring a higher price because more buyers see it, even after its fee.
How do I sell tools fast?
Price just under recent sold listings, post on two local apps the same day, and say 'charged and tested, can demo.' If you need cash within the hour, a pawn shop or a buy-sell store is faster, but it pays less.
How do I sell tools online?
Look up recent sold prices for your exact model. Take clear photos of the nameplate, the battery and the tool running. List the model number, what's included and any flaws. Then choose local pickup or shipping. Ship batteries only under the carrier's rules.
Can I sell power garden tools the same way?
Yes. Mowers, trimmers and blowers sell best locally because they're bulky to ship. Drain or stabilize gas in engine tools first, and say in the listing that it starts. Battery yard tools sell better with the battery and charger included.
What are the best alternatives to Facebook Marketplace for selling used tools?
OfferUp and Craigslist for local sales, Nextdoor for your neighborhood, and eBay for shipped sales. Local tool and trade groups can also work well for pro-grade gear.
Is it better to sell tools as a kit or one at a time?
Single tools often sell faster, because most buyers already own batteries. A full kit with batteries and a charger appeals to someone new to the platform. Try both: list the kit, and say you'll split it.
Do pawn shops buy power tools?
Many do, either as a loan or an outright sale. With a loan, you get cash and the shop holds the tool until you repay. If you don't repay, the shop keeps the tool. Either way, expect less than you'd get selling it yourself.
Sources
- Selling fees: final value fee and per-order fee (eBay Help)
- Selling stuff online? Here's how to avoid a scam (FTC Consumer Advice)
- How to spot, avoid, and report fake check scams (FTC Consumer Advice)
- Pawn transactions explained (National Pawnbrokers Association)
- Publication 52: hazardous, restricted and perishable mail, including lithium batteries (USPS)
Change log: Nov 6, 2026: Rewritten from the 2024 archive post. Dropped the claim that Amazon is a simple place to sell used tools, added eBay's published fees, pawn terms, battery shipping rules and FTC scam advice.
