Sometimes, the swing set you once loved is no longer a fun activity for your family – kids grow old! Or maybe you’re moving and don’t want to move the playset to your new home. When that day comes, it is time to find a way to sell your used swing set. Before you do, there are several steps you need to take to ensure you get the best price for your swing set. We are here to help you understand everything you need to know about selling a used swing set.
Plan in Advance
As soon as you decide to get rid of your swing set, you may feel tempted to disassemble it right away. We advise that you hold off on taking your swing set apart for the moment.
As with any project, the planning stage is critical to your success. No doubt, you spent plenty of time planning before you purchased and set up your swing set initially. Taking apart and selling your swing set takes the same level of foresight.
Instead, one of the most important aspects of selling a swing set is preparation. If you must break down a playset before attempting to sell it, take a thorough amount of pictures and read through all of your options in this article.
Regardless of what you are selling, high-quality product pictures will help entice potential buyers. Clear photos help people get an idea of what they are buying before they commit to the purchase.
This theory applies to a used swing set as much as any other item you might sell. Be sure to take plenty of pictures of your swing set before putting it on the market. Images of your swing set in action will make your used swing set stand out from the rest.
Pictures are also a matter of transparency. The chances are that your swing set has some wear and tear from years of use. Your potential buyer deserved to know the severity of any damage before they buy your swing set. So, do your part and be an honest seller by taking good pictures of your swing set.
Know How to Ship Your Model
Remember the manuals and manufacturer information that came with your swing set when you first bought it years ago? On the off chance that you still have those papers, it is time to get them out.
Once you have photographed your swing set, you should gain insight into the best way to disassemble it. Every swing set model will have a different method of construction, which means there will be a unique process for taking it apart.
Be careful to save every piece, including nuts and bolts. Then find ways to package each piece individually. You should also try to recall if your swing set required any special tools for assembly.
There are few problems more frustrating than trying to assemble a swing set only to find that there are pieces missing. Don’t let this be the case for your buyer. Ensuring that the swing set you sell includes all needed pieces makes life easier for whoever ends up with the set. It also allows you to maintain a good reputation as a seller in case you have any follow up items to list.
The size and shape of the pieces that comprise your swing set will dictate how you will ship your swing set. It is essential to figure this out at this stage. When the time comes that someone agrees to buy your swing set, you should already have a good idea of how you will get it to them.
For more, read our article on how to remove and disassemble a playset.
Consider Buyback Programs
Before you head to your favorite online marketplace to begin advertising your swing set, know that there may be an easier opinion. Rather than going through a potentially long selling process, see if there are any swing set buyback or moving programs in your area.
Some playset retailers have a system in place and are ready to take your swing set off your hands. Each program’s details will differ, but in most cases, the company will purchase your used swing set and often recycle the materials. The best programs even come with a disassembly service.
I don’t recall knowing about these programs when I sold my old swing set. Had I known about these convenient buyback programs, getting rid of my swing set would be much easier.
Just remember that if you choose to use one of these programs, you will have less control over the final price you receive for your swing set. These are still companies that are trying to make money, after all. Selling to individual people, rather than through a buyback program, opens the door to a competitive bidding process.
Get an Estimate from an Expert
No matter where you choose to sell your used swing set, it is best to get an idea of its value before you start taking offers. By consulting an expert in the field that you trust, you can ensure that you get the most for your swing set.
Start by contacting a swing set installer in your area. Invite them to give you an honest appraisal of your swing set. In that process, the installer may have greater insight into some potential issues with your swing set or some aspects that make it more valuable than you thought.
For the average homeowner, it is difficult to estimate the true value of a used swing set. For someone who installs them for a living, it is a relatively easy task.
After getting an estimate from your trusted professional, use that number to dictate the price you list for your swing set. Any seller wants to ensure that they are making the best possible deals. Expert advice will help prevent you from selling your swing set for less than it is worth.
Find a Place to Sell Your Used Swing Set
With most of the preparation complete, you are ready to find a place to sell your used swing set. Fortunately, you have many options here.
In the past, I have had success by simply listing my swing set in the local classified ads. But there are several online options that may be more effective. Here are some of the online places you can try to sell your used swing set:
- NextDoor
- Toy and Department Store Websites
- Craigslist
- eBay
If online selling is not your style, you can take a more community-based approach. Try seeing if anyone on your school board is interested in a swing set for their children. You may also want to consider using your neighborhood email list.
Online resources can make your selling process more efficient. But there are likely plenty of families in your own community that would love to have your used swing set in their yard.
Schedule Showings
Smart buyers don’t purchase large items sight unseen. So, even if you take accurate pictures, don’t be surprised when some potential buyers want to see your swing set in person.
Consider this before you breakdown your swing set so that interested people can stop by and try your swing set before they buy. As you garner interest for your swing set, be ready to schedule a showing.
The larger an item (and price) is, the more likely it is that someone will want to look at it before taking it home. No one wants to part with their money before knowing for sure that they will get exactly what they expect to receive.
A showing could be the difference between a hesitant buyer and one that is convinced that they need to buy your swing set. The chance to take a swing can drastically reduce the time it takes for you to find a new home for your swing set.
Know the Associated Costs
It is unlikely that you can sell your swing set with no additional costs. This is an unfortunate but necessary aspect of selling such large outdoor items. But knowing about these costs can save you some headaches as you try to sell your used swing set.
The most obvious cost to consider is the cost of shipping your swing set to your eventual buyer. Take a look at shipping fees before you agree to a listing price. Items this large may require freight transportation, which may cost upwards of a couple hundred dollars. By factoring in these associated fees from the start, you can make sure that you still turn a profit off of your swing set sale.
Even if you don’t intend to ship your swing set to a buyer somewhere else in the country, getting rid of your swing set will still cost something. Based on your swing set’s size and location, there can be great variation in swing set removal fees.
Final Comments
When you first set up your swing set, it was hard to imagine that a day would come when you would want to get rid of it. But for most, that day comes eventually. If you have come to terms with the idea that it is time to sell your used swing set, you should at least get some cash for it. You can also take joy in the fact that your swing set will go to good use in another family’s backyard play area.
