How to Sell Used Appliances for Cash and Get Top Dollar

Have you upgraded or replaced a washer, dryer, or another household appliance recently? If so, it’s possible to sell used appliances to earn money and declutter your house. 

Some people recycle old appliances for cash as a side hustle. However, you can also use the following suggestions to make a one-time sale and earn top dollar.

How to Sell Used Appliances Near You or Online

Selling a used item is a terrific way to recoup costs for a new one or make money on the side. It also lets the appliance avoid collecting dust and rust in a storage area.

Here is how to be successful when selling an old washer, dryer, or other appliance.

1. Be Strategic

You will need to be strategic about which items you choose if you want to make a living selling used appliances.

The most desired big-ticket items include:

• Washer
• Dryer
• Refrigerator
• Stove

Small appliances, like coffee makers and vacuums, can also be popular if they are in good condition but cheaper than brand-new items.

For example, working appliances sell a lot easier than their non-working equivalents. If you decide to fix and flip old machines, you may want to choose ones that are easy and affordable to repair.

You should also consider if you will offer delivery to the buyer since many people don’t have the strength or proper equipment to transport an appliance to their location.

If you have experience fixing appliances, this can become a profitable side hustle. As long as the item looks good but just has a few simple parts to replace, that’s all you need to get started.

Read our guide on the top side hustle apps to use if selling items doesn’t appeal to you.

2. Take Good Pictures

Quality photos are essential when you’re ready to list your appliance online. A picture is worth a thousand words, and people want to know how the item looks.

Consider what you look for in imagery when you shop for something.

You can use your smartphone camera or a digital camera. It’s not difficult to take a good photo with either, especially when you do the following:

• Make sure the area is well lit
• Take pictures from different angles
• Include images of damages

Taking clear and detailed pictures can eliminate additional questions from the buyer about the appliance’s condition and speed up the process for both of you.

You may also want to record a short video of the machine running if you’re going to unplug it and store it since the buyer can’t fully test the appliance until they hook it up at home.

This video is an easy way to build trust and possibly make a sale sooner.

3. Be Descriptive and Honest

Most buyers like to read the full description before inquiring about an item for sale. You likely do as well, so remember that when you try to sell used appliances for money.

A great description will include the following:

• Age of the appliance
• The brand name
• Dimensions of the appliance
• Its current condition

Be honest, and don’t say it’s ‘like new’ if the item is worn. If there are any issues with the appliance, include that or mention how well it works.

Including the serial number can be helpful since some buyers like to research the cost of replacement parts before making an offer.

It’s also worth mentioning why you’re selling the appliance in the first place.

If you’re moving to a new home that already has a washer and dryer and you want to get rid of your current set ASAP, be sure to include this in the description.

Most importantly, you want to write an ad that stands out. Strive to make a catchy headline that’s descriptive and highlights its features so that you’re more likely to have people view your listing.

4. Check Pricing

It can be tricky to figure out how to price your appliance. The best place to start is by comparing what others are listing similar appliances for on local sites.

You may also want to factor in the age and condition of the appliance.

For example, an old washing machine can be priced similarly to other online listings since there are probably several. You may also decide to list it for a little cheaper to make a quick sale.

In contrast, a dryer that’s approximately two years old may not have many comparable listings. In this scenario, you can look up the brand-new item cost and adjust the pricing since it is used but still in working condition.

You may also want to include an image of the appliance on a retailer’s site. Take a screenshot of the image and price to help show potential buyers the pricing difference.

People often like to negotiate a lower price than what you’re listing the item for. It can be a hassle when people do this, and you can lose a lot of time haggling.

Instead, if you list an electric stove for $400 and show that it would be $650 to buy a new one in the store, this will show people that they are already receiving a fair price.

5. Consider How to Transport the Appliance

Large appliances are bulky and may not sell as quickly as smaller ones that can easily fit in the back of a car or are lightweight.

As a result, you may need to consider helping buyers carry the item out to their vehicle. Confirm beforehand to ensure the buyer has a large enough vehicle or trailer to fit the appliance.

You can also volunteer any of your moving tools or recommend that they rent some from Home Depot. A cargo van might be necessary to haul larger items. Rentals start around $20, so include any costs in your profit margin.

However, if you have no plans to assist the purchaser with moving the used appliance, make that clear in your description.

6. Be Accommodating

Do your best to accommodate people, especially when dealing with bulky and pricey appliances. Simply responding to an inquiry in a timely matter can go a long way and help you sell your old appliance faster.

If you’re open to negotiating or “best offers,” mention that in your ad. If your pricing is firm, say that as well.

While it can be easy to overlook, good communication is a surefire way to make extra money by selling stuff or completing other tasks. 

It also might help to share that your appliance was ‘cross-posted’ if you listed it on more than one selling app.

Posting on multiple platforms is a great way to get more exposure for your used appliance and helps sell it quicker.

What Are the Best Places to Sell Used Appliances?

Knowing how to sell old appliances for cash is important. Without this knowledge, you won’t earn as much as you want.

Additionally, knowing the best places to start selling your used appliances is essential to reach more buyers and charge competitive prices. 

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace has become one of the go-to platforms for people trying to sell their used items since it’s free and has many users. You simply have to have a Facebook account to get started on Marketplace.

All communication is done in the Facebook Messenger app. Most buyers are willing to come to your home to pick up the item or meet somewhere, which makes it even easier for you.

The social media platform also lets your friends share your post, and you can include your listing in your neighborhood buy and sell page or a garage sale group.

Additionally, buyers complete the purchase via debit card within the app if you prefer receiving digital payments to cash. There are no selling fees until you ship a sold item, making it one of the best apps to sell stuff.

Craigslist

Many people buy and sell stuff on Craigslist because it’s one of the oldest online selling sites. You can sell almost anything on the platform, including used appliances.

Additionally, you don’t need to create an account to view listings or communicate with buyers. Listing an item is easy, although you need an account to repost, edit, and delete your ad.

A free listing lasts anywhere from 30 to 45 days, depending on the city and category. It’s possible to renew a listing free of charge, which places it at the top of the search results again.

OfferUp

OfferUp is another popular local selling app as it’s free, easy to use, and emphasizes security. You can create an account and add your first listing in less than 30 seconds.

Not only is this platform one of the best options to sell things locally, but you can ship items as well. While shipping may not work for large appliances, it will work for countless other items.

However, selling fees apply to shipments.

You can answer questions from potential buyers and negotiate right from the app. The listings closest to the buyer’s current location appear first.

OfferUp has grown to over 100 million app downloads and is one of the best Craigslist alternatives to sell used items.

5miles

Since 2014, 5miles has been another great resource for selling appliances. The platform has a simple mission to help you sell an item to someone else within five miles of where you live.

Buyers have the option to follow sellers so they can easily keep up with each new listing.

5miles is an option in many major cities across the United States. Specifically, the Dallas metro area is the app’s busiest hub.

You will need a Facebook account to start selling on this platform, but it’s free to use.

VarageSale

VarageSale is an online garage sale site where you can sell your used appliances. Similar to other appliance-selling platforms, you can create a listing for free to sell your items.

Sellers can shop in multiple cities in the United States and Canada. To get started, you will verify your account through Facebook.

This verification is one of the ways they do safety checks on their members. Each person has to be approved to use the platform by an admin.

eBay

eBay lets you sell virtually anything on the platform, including small and large appliances.

You might believe this online marketplace is only for items you want to ship, but that’s not the case. It’s possible to sell items locally as well by selecting the “Local Pickup” option.

Unfortunately, selling fees of approximately 13 percent apply for sold items, so you may want to consider sites like eBay to avoid this charge when you require the buyer to pick up the item.

Since most people use eBay for long-distance transactions, this platform can be best for selling appliance parts or small appliances that are relatively easy and cheap to ship.

Local Scrap Metal Recyclers

One final option is to take your used appliance to a scrap yard. This strategy is best if you have exhausted all other options and have been unable to sell it on social media or to a local appliance reseller.

You won’t get top dollar for your unwanted appliances, and you will likely need to haul them yourself. Nevertheless, it’s a legit way to make a little extra cash.

Before loading up your vehicle, see if your local scrap metal recycler has any restrictions. For example, they may not accept refrigerators or freezers that contain refrigerant since its an environmental risk. 

Read our guide on scrap yards near me to learn how to take advantage of this option.

Can I Have a Store Pick Up My Old Appliance?

Most appliance stores and national retailers will charge a fee to haul away your old appliances. It’s possible to waive the fee if you make a qualifying purchase or are a professional contractor.

Pricing and haul-away terms differ by merchant. 

Some of the participating stores include Best Buy, Home Depot, and Lowe’s. You might be responsible for disconnecting it and removing movable parts, including doors or hoses.

Bottom Line

If you are having trouble selling appliances like washers and dryers for cash, these platforms can help. Each one is credible and lets you sell your item fast to make money quickly.

Another great thing about these online selling sites is that they are free and widely used. This allows more people to see your listing.

Take your time when putting up your listing, and remember to take clear pictures. Be extremely detailed so potential buyers will have everything they need to make an informed decision.

What do you do with old appliances when you need to replace them?