Whether you’re looking to buy your first snowboard or you’re planning to de-clutter your garage after accumulating multiple snowboards over the years, it’s good to know the best place to buy or sell used snowboards.
For serious snowboarders, you might realize that you have too many snowboards you’re no longer using. On the other hand, there are also those newbies who are looking for old snowboards to start their hobby.
I’m writing this article to help both hobbyists and avid snowboarders buy or sell their snowboards. I’ll be writing based on platforms that I’ve used both as a buyer and a seller.
How much do used snowboards cost?
So how much do used snowboards cost? There are plenty of factors that can affect a used snowboard’s price.
Models and Condition
One, is it in good condition? A lot of snowboarders realize that the board they bought doesn’t fit their boarding style. At times, some snowboards were only used once or twice. If this is the case, then a 20% to 30% below its retail price is somewhat a good deal for both seller and buyer.
Sell Your Used Snowboards in a Hurry
Another factor that can affect the price is the urgency behind the decision to sell a snowboard. There are instances when the owner wants to sell the snowboards fast. In that case, some would even be willing to sell good-conditioned boards 60% to70% below the current market price.
Your Location
Next, the location where you’re buying or selling the snowboards will affect its price. For one, expect used snowboards for sale in place without a winter season to have rock bottom prices. And lastly, the time of the year will also matter. Expect the price of used snowboards to go up starting fall.
Best Place to Buy Used Snowboards
Ski Swaps
Ski swaps are held in different areas. It’s a great way to save money on snowboarding and ski gear. You’d typically find a variety of brands and gears from ski swaps. Some people go to ski swaps to clear their garage while others sell old gear to use the money so they can buy new ones for the current year.
There are lots of popular ski swap events all over the world. Ski Sundown Ski Swap is New England’s longest-running swap. It is popular not only for snowboards but also for clothing, poles, and anything snow sport-related. Colorado also has several ski swap events. You have the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Swap and the Vail Ski and Snowboard Swap to name a few.
You can find many ski swap events using social media platforms such as Facebook. Plus, going to ski swaps, you can physically inspect the items. Unfortunately, it’s only limited to places that have these types of events. I personally buy from ski swaps but only when I’m in these areas that have these events.
Website: Theskiswap.com
Geartrade
Outdoor enthusiasts love Geartrade. It’s a website that caters specifically for outdoor gear. There are lots of snowboards and other snows sport related gear on the website.
This website is easy to use. You can take pictures of the snowboard you’re trying to sell and upload them. There are also millions of active users on Geartrade.
Now, this can be a good and a bad thing. If you’re buying a used snowboard, it means that there are a variety of options out there. You can even buy snowboards that are almost brand new.
Unfortunately, if you’re selling your snowboard, better make sure that it stands out for one reason or another since you will compete against a lot of sellers.
Plus, for sellers, you have to take into account the 13% fee that the platform asks from sellers. But even with the 13% fee, a lot of users are still happy with Geartrade simply because it is offered to a specific niche.
eBay
Even if eBay is no longer as popular as it used to be, it is still a great place to buy or sell used snowboards. For starters, you can still find great deals on the site if you’re looking to buy a used snowboard.
On top of that, if you’re a seller and you have a popular item, you can take advantage of eBay’s auction bidding system. You’d be surprised by how much you can earn from your used snowboard using this feature.
Another reason why eBay is still relevant today is that it is available worldwide. You get to transact with people from different parts of the world.
For those who regularly sell on eBay, the platform displays your rating and the number of items you’ve sold over the years. This makes it easier to get the trust of potential buyers. However, there are instances when buyers will have to pay the sales tax.
Craigslist
One of the best places to buy or sell your snowboards online is via Craigslist. A platform that’s been around since the 1990s, it’s a site that became popular for several purposes. It’s a great place to find jobs, sell products, or even find random listings within your area. Craigslist is available in more than 70 countries and 700 cities. Lots of people try to look around local listings. And on top of that, it is free.
I regularly posted on Craigslist since it is easy to use and put items up for sale. Just click the area where you are currently based and pay close attention to its guidelines. But to get the attention of users, you’d want to post photos and write accurate descriptions about the snowboard.
The biggest downside to Craigslist is that it doesn’t have any ad customization. You don’t get to boost your listing to get more eyeballs.
FB Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is an easy and convenient option when it comes to selling or buying snowboards.
First, Facebook remains the number one social media in the world. Next, it means every account has access to Facebook Marketplace where people can buy or sell items.
Plus, once you place the photos and description, it is possible to use the link and share it on Facebook groups. Facebook groups could be a group of outdoor enthusiasts in your area. Or perhaps, it’s a group specific for buying or selling snowboarding and other related gear.
For buyers, Facebook Marketplace offers tools that help provide a better match. It comes with filters that sort items based on price, location, and even whether it’s brand new or used.
For sellers who are looking to sell their snowboards in a hurry, they don’t always need to sell them cheap. Instead, they can boost their post. I’ve tried boosting my posts on Facebook Marketplace and it significantly increased the number of inquiries that I received.
Offerup
I’ve tried Offerup a few times. It’s a great option for people who don’t like displaying their details publicly. Sales and communications are anonymous, which makes Offerup a great choice for data-sensitive individuals.
However, it also comes with a verification system wherein it asks for your phone number and driver’s license. Though verifying your identity is not a requirement, a verified account can attract more buyers based on my experience on the platform.
Its rating system is also advantageous for sellers and buyers. As a seller, I sometimes only trust people who already verified their account or if they have a good rating.
Posting ads on Offerup is fast and simple. It usually just takes less than two minutes and you’ll be able to upload the item on the app. But between buyers and sellers, I’d say that buyers will enjoy Offerup more. Based on experience, there are lots of low-ballers in Offerup. So if you’re after a good deal, then you might want to buy used snowboards on Offerup.
Final Thoughts
Knowing where to buy or sell used snowboards can have its advantages. For one, you can de-clutter your home and turn your old gear into cash. And for those who are just starting to learn how to snowboard but are not yet ready to buy a brand new board, then try to look for used items on these platforms. You might find great deals and save some cash.
