Most American households have hundreds — sometimes thousands — of dollars sitting unused in closets, garages and drawers. Here is what sells well, where to sell it, and how to get the best price quickly.
Electronics are among the highest-value items to sell and tend to move quickly when priced fairly. Old smartphones, tablets, laptops, gaming consoles, cameras, headphones and smart home devices all have active resale markets.
Best platforms: eBay reaches the widest audience for electronics and often yields the best prices. Swappa specializes in used phones, tablets and laptops with a clean buying experience that can justify slightly higher prices. Facebook Marketplace works well for local pickup (no shipping needed) for larger items like TVs and monitors.
Tips: Include the original box if you have it. Clean the device and photograph it well. Check recently sold listings on eBay before setting your price — asking price is not the same as sold price. Factory reset devices before listing.
Clothing resale has become a major market, driven by sustainability-conscious buyers and the popularity of vintage and secondhand fashion.
Poshmark is ideal for women's clothing, shoes and accessories — particularly name brands. The platform's social features and established buyer community make it easier to sell here than on generic marketplaces. ThredUp lets you mail in a bag of clothes for evaluation and resale — low effort but lower payout. Depop suits streetwear, vintage pieces and trend-forward items with a younger buyer demographic.
For maximum return: focus on brands (even mid-market brands like J.Crew, Levi's, Nike), photograph items on a flat surface or worn, and include measurements in your listing. Items in excellent or like-new condition sell significantly faster.
Furniture is heavy, so local pickup platforms work best. Facebook Marketplace is the dominant platform for furniture resale in most US markets. OfferUp is strong in some regions. Craigslist still works for large items but attracts more no-shows.
Solid wood furniture, mid-century modern pieces, IKEA items in good condition, and name-brand sofas sell consistently. Flat-pack furniture in poor condition and very large sectionals are harder to move. Price 40 to 60% below retail for good-condition items. Include accurate dimensions and multiple photos from different angles.
Bikes, golf clubs, skis, kayaks, camping gear, exercise equipment and fitness accessories all have strong resale markets. Many buyers prefer used gear over paying full retail for activities they are new to.
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist work well for bulky outdoor items. eBay is better for smaller, shippable gear. SidelineSwap specializes in used sports equipment and often yields better prices for niche items like hockey gear or lacrosse equipment.
Individual books sell for low prices but textbooks are the exception — used college textbooks can fetch $20 to $100 or more. eBay offers the broadest audience. AbeBooks and ThriftBooks seller programs work for volume sellers. Local used bookstores offer instant cash but at significantly lower prices than selling directly.
Check the ISBN of any textbook or educational book on eBay sold listings before assuming it has no value. Older editions of popular textbooks still sell. Rare, out-of-print or collectible books can be worth researching on AbeBooks before discarding.
Baby gear has a short useful life and many families are motivated to buy secondhand. Strollers, car seats (check expiry dates and recall history before selling), high chairs, swings, bouncers, clothing and toys all move quickly.
Once Upon a Child is a retail chain that buys children's clothing and gear in-store for immediate payment — lower than selling directly but zero effort. Facebook Marketplace and local parent groups on Facebook are also strong channels for larger items.
If you have inherited items, old toys, coins, trading cards, vintage posters, vinyl records or antiques, they may be worth more than you think. The challenge is knowing what is actually valuable versus what just looks old.
eBay is the best starting point for researching what similar items have sold for. Search your item and filter by "Sold listings" to see actual transaction prices, not just asking prices. For potentially high-value items (jewelry, fine art, rare coins), a professional appraisal before selling could be worthwhile.
Local selling through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and OfferUp involves meeting strangers. A few precautions reduce risk considerably:
Our sell-what-you-do-not-use tool could help you identify items worth selling and match them to the best platforms. General guidance only — not financial advice.
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