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Where do you sell your horse stuff? Don't say facebook!

Off Course
#1

I’d like to toss my facebook account. I used to say I kept it to stay up to date on local horse stuff, but my horse is retiring and I’m poor, so I’m out of riding until he dies in 10+ years or someone takes pity on me and funds my lack luster amateur riding dreams. With that in mind the only reason I “need” facebook is for a place to sell off the horse stuff I don’t use any more. Frankly, selling on facebook is a PITA. I’ll likely donate a lot of the rest, but is there any where (NOT FACEBOOK) that has a decent ability to sell the stuff I could actually make some money back on?

Yes, I’ve used ebay, but I find it underwhelming and frustratingly slow.

There is a local-ish (1+ hour away) place that appears to buy things outright to resell, vs only do consignment. That’s probably my best option but looking for others.

#2

I used Craigslist to buy a truck recently but it seems to no longer be used much for equestrian stuff.

#3

I’ve had my greatest success with yard/garage sales and just advertising at local feed stores and throughout the neighboring towns. I also tend to sell other garden/farm or household items at the same time. But it depends on where you live as I can literally put piles of broken horse items at the edge of my driveway and it’s gone in less than an hour. Plus it is great being “free” from social media.

#4

I second local feed, tack or co-ops as a place to advertise stuff for sale. Even our TSCs have a bulletin board for items for sale. There is no cost to you to, but having lots of people call/text you about whatever you are selling.

I like eBay for selling new/unused items or larger ticket items. Yes, it can take some time to sell them, but on the other hand, I get what I’m asking price wise (I don’t do “auction” styles sales - just “buy it now” sales).

#5

A tack shop about 1 hour from me has a HUGE consignment section, and it’s known for having this. They take 30%, but I decided having things sell quickly and not having to deal with shipping/payment was worth it. I suggest looking to see if there’s something near you, or go with the place that buys thing outright. Sometimes taking a little less is worth it to avoid the stress.

#6

eBay
My barn
Craig’s list
word of mouth
ads in local feed / tack stores.

#7

Another vote for ebay. Good pictures and a good description are a must.

#8

Donate it all for a tax writeoff?

#9

a lot will depend on your location and what other avenues you have available, as well as the types of things you are selling. Less expensive and/or bulky items won’t do as well on ebay or other methods requiring items to be shipped.

Locally, your best bets are probably tack shop/feed store ads, local consignments, craigslist

I’ve used FB, consignment shops and craigslist as both a buyer and seller, but I am also lucky to be in an area with a fair number of horses
I’ve looked at ebay, but never found what I was looking for, and have never attempted selling.

#10

Peruse FB for benefit horse-item sale events. You can rent a table and sell your items tag - sale style.
this is the prime time of year for it. Sometimes they take place simultaneously with hunter paces.
I know Akindale TB Rescue here in NY either just had one, or will have one this weekend.

#11

All my stuff is in the attic because I’m not messing with lunatics on Craigslist or whiners who complain about every little thing when an item isn’t perfect and it’s close to free.

It’s in my Will that my brother is stuck with everything, lollol. I told him to donate anything that makes sense to any 501C(3) horse rescue of his choice and sell whatever else doesn’t make sense to donate. He is THRILLED — not, lollollol

#12

We have Thrifty Horse consignment out here in Norco. :slight_smile:
I tend to just hold on to stuff, or give things away since selling seems like too much hassle.

#13

I have excellent luck on Facebook but I put good deal pricing on anything I’m selling second hand. The people who seriously want those items because they’re looking for it, recognize its a good price and snap it up, before you spend much timeon tire kickers. If you want stuff gone quickly, that would be my recommendation. If you have a limited amount to get rid of, bargain price it, get it cleared out and then close out your facebook. I take home a little less cash, but I also invest far less time into getting rid of the items.

This strategy works to a slightly lesser extent with local ads like Kijiji or craigslist too.

less desirable items, either to the buyers or to me, I will give away/donate to friends or a local rescue. Stuff that takes up a lot of space gets donated quickly unless its a really high $ sale. Items like brushes or nylon halters for example, I will donate.

items I have noticed do well; saddle pads, wraps and boots, CLEAN blankets, leather halters.

anything i can’t get rid of after a week of posting it for sale, I will donate, unless its something very high end like a fancy bridle.

#14
#15

Also worth noting how you value your own hourly rate. Your time might be worth $50/hour. I am not spending an hour photographing and posting set of used polos for which I will be paid $5, but it IS worth doing the same for a $100 bridle and so on.

2 Likes
#16

Definitely not interested in consignment. :lol: Takes way too long and requires me checking in. Nope! I’ve currently got a couple of the more expensive/valuable items on eBay. No bites. When they don’t sell I think I’ll take them to the excellent rescue nearby and donate them.

@Xanthoria - I agree, in my other life I’m worth way more than what I’m making per hour of photographing, posting, packaging, and standing in line at the post office. It annoys me to give away like new items but definitely time to let that go and soothe myself with the promise that at least I’m not spending money on horse things any more after this.:yes:

#17

Sometimes local horse organizations do once yearly tack swaps. Have you contacted 4H, therapy riding centers, Backcountry Horsemen, Pony Clubs or etc to check if anyone does a sale? It’s much easier to dedicate one day to getting rid of all of it than trying to piece out the lot. And at the last hour of the day, you can post “EVERYTHING $1” signs and I bet you won’t end up taking home anything. :smiley:

#18

@Horse Rider so true. I will say I gave in and took a carload to a consignment place an hour away. They sent checks monthly and while it wasn’t a ton it was certainly more than gas and time, and my space was freed up instantly!

Our local horse rescue is picky about donations tho - they don’t want blankets for ex, as they’re never waterproof. Understandable.

We we had a collection box in the barn for freebies and you should have seen some of the junk people put in there. Single torn bellboots. Ancient pads with rips. Rusty bits. Just recycle or trash it people!

1 Like
#19

I’ve had good luck with Craigslist before for both buying and selling. I also scout the local 4-H tack sales – they’re usually in the late winter/early spring around my neck of the woods, as all the teams get ready for the season. I swear, February through April there’s at least one per weekend…

I’ve also donated tack/stable gear I couldn’t get rid of to a therapeutic riding center that runs a consignment tack shop to raise money for their program. I get a tax write-off since they’re a 501c3, they get free stuff to sell, and someone out there gets tack for a fraction of the price. Everyone wins!

#20

Isn’t there a section here on CoTH where one can post their gently used items?

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