How to Sell Used Toys On Craigslist

Are your kids' closets bursting with toys they no longer play with? From Barbie dolls and board games to Star Wars toys and action figures, toys can be expensive, especially to be played with for a few months then tossed aside. It can feel like such a waste to just toss them out and it can be a lot of work to host a yard sale or a lot of time to wait for them to sell at a consignment shop.

Instead, swap your toys for cash by selling them on online marketplaces like Craigslist.

Craigslist is a great place to make some extra cash on your kids' toys. It has one of the largest user bases and requires zero listing fees. People just like you are on Craigslist looking for great deals on toys like the ones you have, whether it's a rogue toy or a vintage toy worth some money.

If you are ready to let go of your kids' unwanted toys, there are some steps to take to successfully sell your toys online. Read on to find out how to sell used toys on Craigslist.

1. Consider Selling in Lots

If you have a lot of toys to get rid of, the easiest way to make some money quickly is to sell your toys in lots. As kids grow into the next stage of toys, they leave behind a whole category of toys they are no longer interested in. These toys are perfect for the next child.

Instead of having to manage 20+ listings, you can group these toys into one bunch and tag the listing as a lot for sale for 8- to 11-year-old boys. You can then offer a bundle price which makes your listing even more appealing.

Parents will be more likely to purchase a lot since it's easier to make one purchase instead of many, and it's a much better deal.

2. Take High-Quality Photos of Your Toys

The first thing to do to start your Craigslist listing is to take high-quality photos of the toys. These images will capture the toys in their best light, highlighting how good of condition they are in to persuade buyers to buy your toys and at a higher price.

The best photos are clear, taken at different angels, and shot in natural lighting. This is also your opportunity to show everything included with the purchase, whether it's accessories for the Barbie or showing you have all the parts of the Lego set.

3. Write a Compelling Ad for Your Toys

Your potential buyers will find your used toys through the Craigslist search bar so be sure to include keywords in the title and throughout the description, even including keywords at the bottom.

The title should capture the buyer's attention by highlighting the condition, brand, and type of toy to compel buyers to click on your listing.

Your description should have all the details your buyer needs to decide to purchase, including the age, condition, size, all parts included, photos, and price.

4. Set a reasonable price for your toys.

One of the most important pieces of your listing is the price. If you price your toys too high then buyers won't show any interest, but if you price them too low you might miss out on money.

To find the perfect price point, do a little research to find similar toys on other online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and eBay to see what they're going for. You will also want to consider factors like their condition, age, and popularity.

This will give you a sense of what your toys are worth and how to set a competitive price. Don't forget to leave some wiggle room for negotiations.

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.

5. Arrange to Meet in Public Locations

When it's time to meet with your interested buyer to receive payment and hand off the toys, always choose to meet in a public place. This can be a coffee shop, a library, or a store parking lot. A public location where other people will be provides a safer environment where you can walk away if you feel uncomfortable. You can also bring along another person for added protection.

Avoid meeting in private settings, such as your house or the buyer's house. This can put you in a risky situation and also give away private information like your personal identity or home address.

Kids are always moving on to the next great thing and leaving behind a trail of expensive toys you purchased for them. Selling these unwanted toys is a great way to make some of that money back and afford the next thing they're into.

By following these steps to throughout selling your toys, you can sell your toys quicker and at a higher price.

Happy selling!