Selling used musical instruments is one of the best ways to earn quick cash with minimal effort. Many stores purchase these goods immediately, and there is a high demand for them on buy-and-sell platforms.
You can easily earn $200 or more overnight by selling your used music gear. To sell your instrument fast and at the value it deserves, consider selling in one of the 15 places listed below.
Key Takeaways
- Some of the best places to sell musical instruments in Canada are Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and musical stores like Long & McQuade.
- To get the best price for your used gear, ensure to clean it, take good photos, and research how others value your instrument’s model.
Where To Sell Used Instruments Online
1. Kijiji
As Canada’s number one classified advertising website, Kijiji tops the list of the best places to sell your musical instruments.
This platform has over 16 million users. So, you won’t have a hard time finding buyers who might be interested in the musical gear you offer.
To sell your used instrument on Kijiji, create an account for free, then post an ad for your item. Use the tags, description, and title to describe your gear as detailed as possible. This way, it’ll be easier for interested buyers to find your item.
2. Facebook Marketplace
Another buy-and-sell platform that has millions of active users is the Facebook Marketplace.
Listing your used instrument on this platform is pretty easy. All you have to do is log in to your Facebook account (if you don’t have one yet, sign up for free), then click the Marketplace button on your screen to list your instruments in minutes.
One helpful feature on this platform is the “Boosted Listing.” For a small fee, it allows you to increase the number of people seeing your listing, boosting your chances of selling your item faster.
3. eBay
This list will obviously not be complete without mentioning eBay, one of the most popular auctioning and shopping websites online.
Unlike the previous two platforms mentioned, eBay focuses on in-site transactions. Therefore, you’ll most likely receive the payment through eBay itself, and you’ll be expected to ship your instrument to your buyer’s address.
You can either auction or sell your musical instruments at a fixed price. In both cases, eBay will take a small portion of your income for every successful sale you make.
4. Craigslist
Craigslist also offers a convenient classified advertising platform to Canadians. Like Kijiji, this website is free-to-use and helps you connect with buyers within your proximity.
Take note that the Craigslist website doesn’t have a payment gateway. That means you must finalize financial transactions in person or through third-party platforms.
Related: Here are some alternative sites to buy and sell in Canada.
5. Reverb
Reverb is an online marketplace exclusively for music-related gear. So, it’s undoubtedly one of the best places to find potential buyers for your second-hand musical instruments.
While you can list items on this platform for free, note that you must pay a 5% selling fee for every item you sell.
Users are strongly encouraged to complete their transactions within the website. Avoid contacting or negotiating with buyers outside the platform, as doing so may result in penalties for your Reverb account.
6. Used Music Gear
Used Music Gear is another music-focused buy-and-sell platform for the Canadian community. This is a completely free-to-use site.
However, remember that Used Music Gear can’t be held responsible for any fraudulent encounters you may experience while using the platform.
7. Music City
Music City is a family-run music store in Ontario that allows musicians to trade in or sell their used musical instruments. This store accepts pretty much every piece of music equipment and has designated professionals who specialize in evaluating specific instruments.
To book an appointment, simply call the store’s hotline or send them an email. Once the store’s professionals evaluate your instrument, you’ll get an offer on the spot. You can cash out the amount or use it as credit for future purchases in Music City.
8. The Arts Music Store
Another trusted music store that buys used music gear is The Arts Music Store. This retailer has been around for over three decades and provides various services for musicians, including lessons, instrument repairs, and trade-in services.
The Arts Music Store determines a fair price for your instrument based on its model, condition, and demand. You can book an appointment ahead of time or drop by without one.
Related: Best Places to Sell Jewelry
9. Music Go Round
Unlike most music stores that sell new and used gear, this musical instrument resale franchise exclusively focuses on buying, selling, and trading used instruments. So, if you want the best value for your used musical equipment, Music Go Round is one of the unmatched experts to go to.
At the moment, Music Go Round only has branches in the US. However, it is not uncommon for people to cross the border to sell their used instruments for better prices. Especially if the instrument you want to sell is a high-demand vintage item that can reach thousands of dollars.
10. Cosmo Music
One of the biggest music retailers in Canada, Cosmo Music, also buys used instruments and accepts them for trade-in.
This store offers a highly-transparent way of evaluating the cost of your used musical gear. First, they assess the potential resale price of your instrument. Then, they’ll offer you up to 80% of that value as compensation for your product.
Note, though, that Cosmo Music only has one branch, which is located in Ontario.
11. Long & McQuade
Long & McQuade is one of Canada’s most trusted music stores that buy used instruments.
To sell here, simply bring your gear to one of the store’s 90 branches. If your instrument is still in good condition, the store’s professionals will either offer to buy it from you or allow you to put your used instrument’s value to supplement your next purchase at the store.
12. Green Moolaa
Green Moola is a pawn shop in Brampton, Ontario, that happily buys and sells used musical instruments.
It’s one of the best places to sell your used musical gear, as payouts are almost always instantaneous. Moreover, since Green Moola is a pawn shop, you’ll have the opportunity to sell or pawn other musical or non-musical related items for extra money.
13. Kaos Music Centre
This Toronto music store offers a helping hand for musicians who wish to sell their instruments through consignment. Kaos Music Centre will hold, display, and sell your gear at your agreed price. Once the instrument is sold, you will receive 80% of the selling price.
Apart from selling on consignment, Kaos Music Centre also allows you to trade your used musical instruments for other items in-store, just like most music stores do.
Related: Best Places To Sell Used Textbooks For Cash
Where To Sell Music Instruments Near You
14. Garage Sales
Of course, we can’t disregard the classic way of selling any unused item: through garage sales. If you want to skip the hassle of listing your instrument online or meeting up with buyers, this is the way to go.
All you have to do is set up a garage sale and display your used musical gear. Ensure that your instrument stands out from the rest of your unused items by placing it at the very front or displaying it with a bright sign. This will make it much easier for potential buyers to notice your instrument.
15. Your Local Music Store
Another easy way to sell your instrument is by visiting a local music store. Most music stores won’t think twice about purchasing used instruments that are still in good shape. After all, they are often the first choice for local musicians seeking access to high-quality used instruments.
How To Sell Used Musical Instruments Online
Let me share some tips to sell your musical instruments online faster and for much better prices.
Clean your instrument: The difference a thorough cleaning can make on a musical instrument is like night and day. Always clean your instrument before taking its picture or presenting it to an interested buyer. This way, your item won’t appear worn or older than it is.
Take good photos: Use high-quality images to easily capture the attention of buyers and show them exactly what you have to offer. When selling online, a picture speaks volumes and is often more effective at displaying what you’re selling than descriptions.
Research prices: Knowing how many other sellers are listing the same instrument you have helps you avoid overpricing or underpricing your goods. This strategy allows you to get the money you deserve without scaring away potential buyers due to hefty prices.
FAQs
Yes. Musical instruments are profitable when sold. However, the exact amount you’ll receive varies on many factors, including the type of instrument, quality, and rarity.
One of the largest Canadian music retailers is Long & McQuade. This store was established in the 1960s and currently has over 90 branches in Canada.
Harmonica is the most purchased musical instrument. Its small size and affordability make it one of the most accessible instruments worldwide, and it’s been popular since the mid-20th century.
Musical instruments aren’t necessarily seasonal items. Therefore, their prices do not change much depending on the time of the year. However, it’s best to avoid selling your items near big sale events like Black Friday as there’ll be a higher competition for affordable musical instruments.
Related: Best Online Sites To Sell Gift Cards
