Having a treadmill offers easy and efficient access to a cardiovascular workout. But, unfortunately, like any other piece of machinery, it depreciates over time. Not to forget that treadmill manufacturers are constantly releasing more advanced models.
So, where do you take the used treadmill then? Well, there are many ways to dispose of an old treadmill. For instance, you can donate it or take it to a junk removal company. Even better, considering how expensive these workout machines are, you can always find a person to sell them!
If done right, you can get good money for a used treadmill, provided it's in usable condition. But, where and how do you list used treadmills for sale? That's exactly what I'll be showing you in this guide. So, if you've got a used treadmill that's gathering dust in your garage/ store, this article is for you!
How to Sell a Used Treadmill at a Reasonable Price
⦿ Clean the treadmill
Cleaning your used treadmill before selling it is a great way to increase its appraisal value. Besides, this will help you make a good impression on potential buyers. So, make sure you wipe down the machine with disinfectant before listing it for sale. At the same, make sure you clean out the water bottle/ device holders. More importantly, brush off the dust and dirt buildup on the running belt with a broom. Also, remember to clean any tight crevices with a compressed air duster.
⦿ Understand depreciation
Like any other piece of machinery, the monetary value of a new treadmill drops right from the moment you buy it. As a result, its perceived value reduces significantly, and so does its resale value.
However, this isn't always the case. For instance, if you've got the right piece of equipment in the right venue at the right place, you'll get top dollar for it. Also, if you buy a workout machine from a reputable brand, the chances are that it will have higher resale value.
⦿ Know the right time to sell
Knowing when to sell is very important, especially when dealing with used fitness equipment. Besides, like any other product, the used treadmill price is affected by demand & supply. So, before you put your depreciated piece of equipment up for sale, make sure you consider these aspects.
⦿ List your item for sale in many selling avenues
Consider listing your old exercise equipment on as many platforms as possible. This will help your listing get too many prospective customers. Better still, it will increase your chances of getting top dollar for your equipment since you can compare bids and rates from various prospective buyers.
⦿ Capture good photos for online listings
After cleaning your treadmills and ensuring it's working smoothly, capture a few pictures in good lighting from various angles. If possible, use sunlight since it is more appealing than camera flashes. This will help you display your treadmill as attractively as possible, making it more attractive to prospective buyers.
Value of Used Treadmill
Estimating the current price of a used treadmill is a bit difficult, especially if you're a gym equipment expert. Besides, with new treadmill models being released in the market every day, that process becomes even more challenging. You have to be very cautious about the price you ask from prospective buyers for those reasons. At the same time, check out other factors, including your treadmill's brand, condition, and age. More importantly, you need to consider depreciation and come up with a fair price.
That said, follow these steps to determine the right price for your used exercise equipment;
⦾ Inspect the condition of your used treadmill
Check the running belt for fraying edges to determine if it has any tears and warps. Also, check if its electronic components are in good working condition. This will enable you to give your machine an accurate description when listing used treadmills for sale.
⦾ Check the brand
Generally speaking, treadmills from a well-known brand usually command a higher resale value. However, if your treadmill brand isn't well-known, prospective buyers will be willing to pay a low price for it, especially if it has known problems.
⦾ Compare Pricing
Use online tools to check other similar treadmills' pricing to establish a fair selling price. For example, eBay allows sellers to search for active and completed sales to determine the current market demands. Moreover, the advanced search tool will enable you to see the current value of your treadmill model.
⦾ Check with used gym equipment stores
Stores like Play it Again Sports specialize in buying and selling good-quality, used workout equipment. Better still, some stores offer free pickup services. Therefore, you don't need to worry about shipping the old gym equipment.
Where to Sell Used Treadmill
Currently, there are many offline and online places that you can use to sell your used treadmill. Yet all you need to do is find the most desired platform, list your used fitness equipment, a good description, and add a reasonable price!
This section will show you some places you can list your used treadmill. More notably, I'll include the benefits and drawbacks of each method to help choose the best platform for your equipment.
➊ Facebook marketplace
Today, Facebook has become more than a social platform. For instance, it's a great way to sell treadmills online, especially with the emergence of programs like 'Facebook Marketplace' where sellers meet buyers. Besides, it's the best way to sell a used treadmill, particularly if you're just getting started.
In addition, Facebook Marketplace is relatively easy to use since you only need an active Facebook account. Better still, the platform promotes quick and convenient communication. You need to browse through the profile of a potential buyer and start chatting with them. In addition, the platform allows sellers to customize the post to suit their needs. As a result, you can easily add nice pictures of your used treadmill and team it up with a quirky description. Best of all, unlike some platforms, you don't have to pay extra charges once you manage to sell your used treadmill!
Pros & Cons of Facebook marketplace
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➋ Garage sale
You can sell used exercise equipment at a neighborhood garage sale as an alternative. The only challenge with garage sale events is that most customers want to buy low. For that reason, you may not get a lot of cash for your equipment. But, on the bright side, these events will eliminate the need for paying extra charges for advertising or transportation. Besides, you need to take your treadmill to the event, and you may meet a potential buyer.
Pros & Cons of Garage sale
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➌ Online selling platforms
Popular online selling platforms like Amazon, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Amazon are other places you can use to sell gym equipment. But eBay is by far the best website for selling used items. Here, you can meet many potential pre-screened buyers, thus eliminating the chances of being ripped off. Moreover, the platform has an easy-to-use interface and provides a secure payment collection method.
As a drawback, the site charges you up to 10%, both for eBay and PayPal fees. But, other than that, it's a massive platform that will connect you to many potential buyers who may be interested in your used treadmill.
Pros & Cons of Online selling platforms
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➍ Pawnshop
Although pawn shops are usually known for offering temporary loans, you can also use them to sell your used treadmill. Also, they're an excellent place to get free appraisals for your old fitness equipment. However, the pawnshop often buys old items to resell them at a profit. For that, you may not get good money for your fitness equipment.
Pros & Cons of Pawnshop
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➎ Craigslist
Craigslist is a classic website, primarily when selling used treadmills. It's more like Facebook Marketplace in the sense that it allows you to set your search radius and location. That way, buyers can search for treadmills based on locations such as used treadmills for sale in Philadelphia or used treadmills for sale in Michigan. Moreover, it connects you with many potential buyers, making it a great place to start. More notably, it allows you to sell your used treadmill at a higher price than the Facebook marketplace.
Pros & Cons of Craigslist
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➏ Online & Print advertisements
Both online and print, local newspapers have a section for classified adverts. Here, you can list your used treadmill, and you'll instantly gain immense reach among potential buyers. On top of that, advertising in a local newspaper is an affordable option. Yet it allows you to target prospective buyers within a specific location. For instance, this will enable you to target people looking for used treadmills for sale at Big Fitness or treadmills for sale in Detroit, Michigan. In addition, this will make it easy to transport the old treadmill since the adverts mainly target buyers within a particular geographical boundary.
Pros & Cons of Online & Print advertisements
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➐ Old treadmill retailers
Lastly, check if nearby retailers are willing to buy your used treadmill. However, some used item retailers only buy certain kinds of workout equipment. For that reason, it's good to check their website first to determine if they accept used treadmills. If you can't find that information online, visit their store or contact them via phone to make inquiries.
Pros & Cons of Old treadmill retailers
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Conclusion
Rather than storing your used treadmill in your garage gathering dust, it's about time that you sell it. And as you can see from this guide, there are several online and offline venues that you can use for that. However, before you list your equipment for sale, it's good to understand the issue of depreciation and how it will influence its pricing. More notably, make sure you clean the machine and check if it's working smoothly. Fortunately, we've included all those factors and many others in this guide. So, if you follow this guide, rest assured that selling your old treadmill will be easier than you would expect!
Frequently Asked Questions
① Is it reasonable to buy a used treadmill?
Buying a used treadmill is the same as buying a second-hand vehicle. If you pay close attention to the details, you can end up with excellent exercise equipment at an affordable price. On the downside, if you aren't careful, you may end up with a useless treadmill you may never use!
② How to sell your used treadmill fast?
List your second-hand treadmill for sale on sites like eBay or Craigslist. Also, place an advert in a local newspaper to reach prospective buyers within your area. In the advertisement, remember to add details like age, model, and brand of the machine. Also, on online sites, post good photos of your second-hand equipment.
③ How do I inspect a second-hand treadmill before buying?
There are various ways to inspect a used treadmill before you buy one. For instance, conduct a background check and look for a well-known brand. Also, search for a newer treadmill model, do a test run and determine if the machine is in excellent condition. To achieve that, you can check if the running belt is frayed or if the equipment is making loud noises or shakes. Finally, ask about the manufacturer's warranty and a service record from the seller.
④ How much is a used treadmill worth?
On average, a well-equipped used treadmill can sell for about $450 to $1500, based on its features, brand, condition, and size. So, to establish the worth of your old exercise equipment, you've to put all these factors into consideration.