How to Sell Used Exercise Equipment On Craigslist

Every year, we get sold on exercise equipment that is guaranteed to help us lose weight, get us back in shape, or make us 'swoll' like a bodybuilder.

However, this equipment can be very pricey and may not get used as much as we hope. If your treadmill is being utilized more as a laundry rack in your home gym, it may be time to sell it to recoup its cost or make some extra money to use towards the next piece of equipment.

Craigslist is a great place to sell exercise equipment. Craigslist users are looking for a good deal on pricey equipment and will jump at the chance to find one locally.

Read on to find out the best ways to sell your exercise equipment on Craigslist.

Prepare Your Exercise Equipment to Sell

Before you create a listing on Craigslist to sell your exercise equipment, there are a few steps you can take to prepare the equipment and make it more appealing to potential buyers.

• Make sure it works. Before you even start to sell your used exercise equipment, you will want to make sure it works. Plug it up and turn it on, test all features, and make sure everything is in working order. This will help avoid any potential issues or complaints from buyers, and can also help you set a fair and accurate price for the equipment.

• Gather Information. Try to get as many details as you can on your equipment, such as the brand, model, age, and any unique features or specifications. This information can be useful for potential buyers who are researching the equipment and can help them make an informed decision about whether to buy it.

• Clean it up. Make sure you clean and sanitize the equipment before you take pictures or meet with potential buyers. This will help the equipment look its best to make it more appealing to buyers. You should follow your equipment's manual for the best way to clean your unit.

• Take high-quality pictures. Take high-quality photos from a variety of angles to give your potential buyers a good idea of what they're purchasing. These pictures should show the equipment in good lighting, and should clearly display any important details or features. You can also take pictures of any accessories that are included with the gym equipment, such as weights or resistance bands.

Create a Compelling Listing

Once you have prepared your exercise equipment for sale, the next step is to create a listing on Craigslist to advertise the equipment to potential buyers. Here are some tips for creating an effective Craigslist ad:

• Write a catchy title. Grab the attention of potential buyers with a catchy title. You can include the brand and model of the equipment, its condition, as well as any unique features or benefits. Include keywords that will help your buyers find your listing.

• Write a clear description. Your description should clearly state all the details of the equipment, including its age, the condition it is in, any accessories that are included, and any relevant specifications or features.

• Set a fair and reasonable price. Be sure the price you set is both fair and reasonable. You can find a decent price by researching similar equipment on Craigslist or other online marketplaces to get an idea of what a reasonable price would be. Leave some wiggle room for negotiating, but try to avoid setting the price too low or too high.

If you need additional help creating your listing, see our step-by-step instructions in Step-By-Step Instructions to Creating Your First Craigslist Listing.

Communicate with Interested Buyers

Once your listing is live on Craigslist, interested buyers will start to reach out to you. It's important that you respond quickly to keep them interested, be ready to answer any additional questions, and schedule a time to show them the equipment.

• Respond quickly. When you receive an inquiry from a potential buyer, respond as quickly as you can. This will show that you are serious about selling the equipment and that you are available to answer any questions or provide additional information. Be sure to include any relevant details or pictures in your response to help the potential buyer make an informed decision about the equipment.

• Answer all questions. Potential buyers may have some questions about your equipment that aren't listed in the description, or they may want to see additional photos. Be ready to answer all questions and provide additional photos in a timely manner to keep buyers interested.

• Schedule a meet-up. It's likely potential buyers will want to see the equipment in person before agreeing to buy it so you will need to schedule a time to meet up. If the equipment is small enough, you can meet in a public location to be safe, such as a coffee shop or a store parking lot. Be prepared to demonstrate the equipment and answer any questions that the potential buyer may have.

Negotiating & Completing the Sale

The next step is to negotiate and complete the sale. This involves reaching a mutually acceptable price and meeting in person to hand off ownership.

If you are not comfortable negotiating prices with potential buyers, consider using a service like OfferTrackr. OfferTrackr can automatically track the availability of your items, negotiate prices, schedule pickups, and send out reminders on your behalf. See our blog post Using OfferTrackr to Make Selling Items Locally So Much Easier for more details.

Once you have agreed on a price and terms with a potential buyer, the final step in the process is to meet up and finalize the sale. Here are some tips to follow:

• Negotiate an agreeable price. Buyers on Craigslist are looking for a good deal so be prepared to do a little negotiating. This should be considered in the original price so you can be more open to reducing the price as needed. Try to find a price that is fair to both you and the buyer and avoid being too rigid or inflexible. You also don't need to accept a price that you feel is too low. By negotiating to reach a mutually acceptable price, you can earn a fair price for your clothing and satisfy the buyer.

• Accept secure payment. At this time, you will want to discuss a form of payment with the buyer. This may include cash, a check, or an online payment service. We suggest you opt for a third-party payment processor like Venmo or PayPal that gives both parties a paper trail of the transaction and the ability to dispute charges. Be sure to check the payment carefully to ensure that it is valid and that the full amount has been received.

• Schedule a pick-up or delivery. Arrange for the equipment to be picked up or delivered to the buyer. If you are delivering the equipment, be sure to agree on a specific time and location for the delivery. If the buyer is picking up the equipment, make sure that it is ready for them to take right away.

• Provide any documents. Your exercise equipment may have come with important documents that will be helpful to the interested buyer. This may include the original owner's manual, instructions, warranties, or receipt. Be sure to bring these documents to the meet-up in case it's time to make an official sale.

Reselling used exercise equipment can clear up some space in your home and help you make some extra cash.

The key steps in the process of selling exercise equipment on Craigslist are preparing the equipment, creating a compelling Craigslist ad, communicating with potential buyers, and meeting with interested buyers to finalize the sale.

By taking these steps and being prepared for the potential challenges and risks of selling on Craigslist, you can increase your chances of making a successful sale.