Where to Sell Tools: Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Craigslist?

Planning on selling some hand or power tools, or maybe you have some electrical testing and diagnostic equipment to sell? In this short guide, we explain the different online and local methods of selling, along with the cheapest ways to ship your unwanted tools.

Drill and impact driver on a workbench ready for sale.


Selling Privately


If you want to earn a little more cash when you sell your tools and have some spare time, selling privately is a great option. There are plenty of places to list your items, but we recommend starting with these top platforms:

eBay

eBay is an online marketplace that offers both auctions and fixed price listings. It is an excellent place to sell if you want to reach a massive nationwide audience and get the highest price for your items. Items can be listed as a "Buy It Now" fixed price or put up for auction over 3, 5, 7, or 10 days.

If you are looking to sell quickly, use the auction option. You can also set a reserve price so that if your tools do not reach a specific minimum amount, you are not obligated to sell them. eBay charges a reserve fee of $5.00 or 7.5% of the reserve price (whichever is greater), which you must pay even if the item does not sell.

"Buy It Now" is a great alternative if you do not mind waiting a few weeks, as it allows you to hold out for a higher selling price.

Listing items on eBay is usually free, and you pay a final value fee when your item sells. For most tool and home categories, this fee is 13.6% plus a flat $0.40 per sale. For example, selling a power tool for $100 means you will keep roughly $86 after the final value fee is taken.

Note for New Sellers: If you are new to the platform, consider the total value of the tools you want to list. eBay restricts brand-new accounts to a limit of 10 listings per month, with a total combined value of $500. To raise this limit, you need to gain eBay’s trust by shipping items on time, providing valid tracking info, and maintaining great customer service.

Craigslist

Craigslist is a free alternative to eBay and is much better suited for selling items locally. Creating a listing is simple to do, and there are no listing or selling fees.

Unlike eBay, Craigslist allows you to include your phone number directly in the listing. This makes it easy for local buyers to call or text you, ask questions, and quickly arrange a local meetup.

If you are new to selling online, this is one of the easiest ways to get started. However, because listings are sorted strictly by location, you will get less overall exposure than you would on a nationwide platform like eBay, meaning it may take longer for you to sell your tools.

Facebook Marketplace

Nearly everyone has a Facebook account, and with Facebook Marketplace built in as standard, this may be the easiest option of all if you already have an account. Listing items is completely free, and interested buyers can message you securely using Facebook Messenger.

Like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace is better suited to selling items locally, and it may take longer for you to flip your items due to a smaller market area reach.

Other Options

If you are a member of a specialized forum, such as a woodworking, automotive, or machining forum, check their "For Sale" or "Classifieds" sections and sell directly to fellow hobbyists.

Shipping Items

Shipping tools across the country can get expensive very quickly. Your local USPS post office is usually your best bet for smaller tools under 15 lbs, but for heavier tools, UPS or FedEx will usually offer much cheaper rates.

To save some money on heavier shipments, use an online shipping rate comparison site to compare and purchase discounted shipping labels, such as:

Skip the Hassle: Sell To Us

Want to take the hassle out of selling tools and save yourself some time?

Then we recommend using our service. We buy all kinds of tools, whether old or new, providing a fast and efficient way to get cash for your unwanted tools. You can get a free quote today by simply clicking the button below.

SELL MY TOOLS


Frequently Asked Questions


How do I get paid when selling on eBay?

eBay manages payments for you. Buyers pay through eBay’s checkout, and the funds are then added to your eBay balance. From there, you can transfer the money to your linked checking account.

How do returns and refunds work on eBay?

A buyer can return an item if it arrives damaged, faulty, or not as described. You must accept the return and pay for the return shipping. If a buyer claims they didn’t receive an item and the tracking information shows no delivery, you must issue a refund. eBay may also step in and refund the buyer directly if they escalate a case when an issue isn’t resolved, so it’s important to upload valid tracking information for every item you sell.

How do I handle unpaid items on eBay?

If a buyer doesn’t pay, you can cancel the order after 4 days. After that, you can relist the item.

What is the safest way to sell when selling locally on Craigslist or Facebook?

If you don’t want to meet a buyer at your home, you can arrange to meet in a public place such as a grocery store parking lot. Avoid accepting checks, cash is best when selling locally.

How can I avoid scams when selling online?

To avoid scams, never ship items when selling on local platforms such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Accept cash only for local sales. Common scams include overpayments and fake checks. Scammers may also try to send you a payment confirmation that looks real but isn’t, hoping you’ll ship the item before the payment actually clears, or they may make an overpayment and then ask you to refund the difference before their payment bounces. Always verify buyer profiles, trust your instincts, and stop the transaction if anything feels off. Never click suspicious links or share personal or banking information with buyers.