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Where to Sell Your Unwanted Stuff for the Most Cash

Person taking a photo of clothing with a smartphone

Westend61 / Getty Images

If you're looking to turn your used goods—from musical instruments to clothing and appliances—into cash, you have plenty of options for where you can earn top dollar, either online or at local stores and dealers. You just have to know where to look. Find out where to sell your unwanted stuff for the biggest return.

Quick Tip

If you're unsure what to do with your unwanted stuff, a great place to start is always a local recycle program. You could also try a yard sale or flea market.

  • 01 of 12

    Books

    Stack of used books on kitchen countertop to sell for cash

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    You may think your old books don't have value anymore, but you'd be wrong. While rare vintage classics have obvious market appeal, textbooks are actually the most profitable and desired book for resale. In addition, offloading your hold books can be helpful for anyone looking for books at an affordable price.

    • Check Bookscouter to find out which online book buyer is paying the highest price, or list your books on eBay.
    • Sell your books to used bookstores, though you'll have to hoof it to the store, give the proprietor time to go through your collection, and probably lug about half of them back home or to the next bookstore. Still, it's a fun way to spend a day if you enjoy visiting used bookstores.
    • Visit Half Price Books and bring your old books to the counter. They'll buy them back from you (they buy everything from books to comics to magazines).
  • 02 of 12

    Clothing

    Clothing folded to sell for cash closeup

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    You have a lot of options when it comes to getting rid of clothes. You'll find designer or limited edition finds are going to be the most desirable in terms of making a profit. You can sell on your own or opt to go through a consignment program.

    • Sort out your best clothes and sell them to a consignment store.
    • Go through Poshmark, eBay, or similar other consignments sites. Note that these types of websites will take a commission.
    • Group the rest into lots, and post an ad on Craigslist or in your local classifieds.
    • You can also list your vintage pieces on Etsy.
  • 03 of 12

    Furniture, Antiques, and Collectibles

    Old gray furniture covered with fluffy white, blue and black pillows to sell for cash

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    Throwing out old furniture can be problematic. Give yourself some extra money and save yourself the hassle by selling pieces you no longer want or need. The most desirable types of furniture for reselling are small items like accent tables and nightstands.

    • Sell pieces of exceptional quality on consignment or at auction (online or off).
    • List good-quality pieces on Craigslist or in the newspaper classifieds.
    • Try an antique dealer for antiques and collectibles.
  • 04 of 12

    Sports Equipment

    Small football, basketball and soccer ball on white surface to sell for cash

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    Think twice before tossing your old sports equipment—you can actually make a profit off it! Pricier gear/equipment will usually do best on resale as people don't always want to spend a ton of money buying it new. You can always post fliers when your child goes to practice to help get the word out, too!

    • Sell lightly used sports equipment to a used sports shop like Play It Again Sports
    • Visit a local pawnshop
    • Sell through Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or through your local classifieds.
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  • 05 of 12

    Electronics

    Electronic phones, laptops and controllers stacked on each other to sell for cash

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    There's always a market for used electronics. Not only is tech expensive to buy new, but you may also encounter those looking for older, limited edition versions of items that they can no longer buy new.

    • Sell newer electronic items on eBay, though note that they will take a commission.
    • Sell through Craigslist or the classified section of your local newspaper.
    • Sell obsolete or broken electronics through eBay (when there's a market for them)
    • Look into recycling them through ​Best Buy or another retailer.
  • 06 of 12

    Video Games

    Game controller, video games and discs on wooden surface to sell for cash

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    The most desirable video games to sell are going to be cult-popular ones like Minecraft, or vintage games that are no longer made. You'll be surprised how much of an appetite there is for used games!

    • Sell newer releases on Craigslist, through a classified, or on eBay.
    • List through a site that buys used media. Second Spin Disk is one to try. 
    • Sell your used games at your local GameStop.
  • 07 of 12

    Housewares

    Stacked ceramic housewares on white surface to sell for cash

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    Before you get rid of your old housewares, consider how you could make some money off of them. There is definitely a market for it, particular rugs, wall art, and valuable or vintage dishware from name brands.

    • Sell highly sought-after items on eBay, but note they will take a commission.
    • If you have antiques, visit a local antique store. You may be able to sell on consignment there.
    • List on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
  • 08 of 12

    Appliances

    Black can opener, toaster and blender next to houseplant to sell for cash

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    The most desirable appliances to sell are washers and dryers, but it's worth trying to sell any old appliance in good, working condition.

    • List working appliances on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for local pickup.
    • Sell broken appliances to a recycling center for scrap or list them on eBay.
    • Check a local appliance store. Many of them will buy used appliances from you.
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  • 09 of 12

    Jewelry

    Old jewelry surrounding vintage jewelry box next to houseplant to be sold for cash

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    Jewelry is definitely an item you can make money off of on resale. Expensive name brands tend to sell the best, as there's a large market of buyers looking for them at a discount. Make sure to have any antiques and good-quality pieces appraised.

    • Sell at auction.
    • Sell through Poshmark or eBay. Note that these types of websites will take a commission.
    • Sell to a consignment store.
    • Sell junk jewelry to a jewelry store for the scrap value.
  • 10 of 12

    Musical Instruments

    Saxophone musical instrument in black case to be sold for cash

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    Musical instruments can be expensive to buy new, so there are plenty of people looking to get them secondhand for a more affordable price point. String instruments like guitars and violins are the most popular for reselling.

    • Reverb.com is a great place to sell—and buy—used instruments and audio equipment online.
    • Contact band directors at area middle schools and high schools to let them know you have an instrument for sale.
    • Advertise on Craigslist or through a classified ad.
    • Sell your instrument to a music shop or pawnshop.
    • Sell through eBay, but note they will take a commission.
  • 11 of 12

    Children's Clothes and Toys

    Children's toys and clothes have a short shelf life. They grow out of things so quickly, and their absolute favorite toy becomes neglected after a few short months. If you're looking to resell some of them, note that the most valuable children's items to sell are toys.

    • You can sell kids' items on Poshmark or eBay. Both will take clothing as well as toys, but note that name brands do tend to sell better for both categories.
    • Take your items to a local consignment shop if you prefer to sell in person rather than online.
    • In addition to options like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, you can also try Mercari for selling children's toys.
  • 12 of 12

    Accessories

    Whether you've got old sunglasses, handbags, or scarves to sell, there's definitely a secondhand market for accessories. Handbags (particularly name-brand ones) will be one of the most desirable items to shop used.

    • Go through Poshmark, eBay, or a site like Rebag.com for handbags. While the sites will take a commission, it's an easy and relatively quick way to reach a large audience of buyers.
    • Take your items to a local consignment store.
    • Sell through Fashionphile via Neiman Marcus. You can sell your accessories in person or online.