5 Steps to Save Money and Sell Your Used Tack
Horse people are constantly buying new tack and apparel items to find quality products that meet their needs. While some purchases will serve you for many years, others may end up gathering dust even if they’re well-made and valuable.
Do you have a trunk, closet, or horse trailer full of used equestrian gear? Here are some tips for selling used horse tack and recouping some of the money you’ve invested in items you no longer need.
1. Set a Price
Before you sell used tack, you need to assess its current value. It’s important to list used items at realistic prices that will attract buyers. Keep in mind that the current value will not be as high as the original retail price unless the product is difficult to find or a sought-after collector’s item.
A good general rule of thumb is to list used items in good condition for between forty and sixty percent of their original retail value. Here are some other important factors to consider as you choose a price for your item:
Brand
Some equestrian brands resell better than others. For instance, lightly used products from better-known companies—such as Ariat, Kastel, and others—are more likely to attract buyers than lower-end brands. However, any brand can sell well if priced realistically.
Price of Comparable Options
Make sure that the price you set offers an appealing discount over the same product purchased new. If a buyer is interested in your secondhand bridle, but it’s only slightly cheaper (including all applicable taxes and shipping) than the same bridle brand-new from a reputable tack shop, they’re more likely to purchase from the tack shop.
You can also use comparable listings online for reference, but be careful about relying on a price set by one individual that may be much too high or low. Look at the overall average of listing prices instead. eBay has a helpful feature that allows you to search for a similar item and filter the results for “completed” and “sold” listings. This can give you valuable context about how well similar items are selling. Simply select the “complete” and “sold” options under the “show only” filters on the left side of the eBay search results page.
Condition
Factor your item’s condition into the price you choose. If it shows little to no wear or still has retail tags attached, you can probably list it higher than if it’s been well-used.
Demand
Some items may be well made and in good condition but may simply not be in high demand. If you have a nice pair of English show boots you’ve been storing for years, but they’re the pre-zipper, pull-on style, you might be lucky if you’re able to give them away. Clean out your tack room regularly so you can sell items before they go out of style.
Seller Fees
Many online selling platforms charge seller fees to cover the costs of their services. Before you list on a new platform, read the fine print and factor any applicable fees into your final item price.
2. Create an Informative Ad
Many great secondhand items fail to sell because of ineffective ads. Take care to create an informative ad that represents your tack or apparel item accurately by including compelling ad copy and photos.
Ad Copy
Ad copy is the written information you include in your ad. It should be brief but helpful. You’ll have happier and more confident buyers if you include relevant details, such as the size, brand, model, age, and condition upfront. Potential customers will appreciate being able to quickly determine if your item is a good option for them without having to contact you for clarification.
Be honest about flaws or defects, such as pilling, rust, cracks, tears, and stains. If you have them, include the original product details and any personal insight the buyer may find helpful, such as whether the item fits true to size. Use appropriate grammar and punctuation. Even if the text seems clear to you, spelling errors and misplaced commas and periods can be confusing to others.
Photos
Include well-lit, clear photos that represent the item’s actual color and level of wear. These don’t have to be fancy—a cellphone camera will work—but ensure that the item is easy to see and that the background is uncluttered. Some clear floor space near an open window that provides natural light will do the trick.
Take a few minutes to clean your items before taking photos. With only a picture for reference, it’s often difficult to distinguish between serious damage and a little harmless grime. In addition, people are far more willing to pay full price for carefully presented and well-cared-for secondhand items.
If you include original product images from the manufacturer, ensure that they are for the actual item you’re selling—not just a similar style. Images of applicable brand size charts make a great addition to your listing’s photo gallery as well.
3. Choose a Selling Platform
Next, choose one or more selling platforms. You can list as many places as you like, but once your item sells, remember to remove any remaining ads. Creating additional ads takes extra time, but it may help sell high-value items faster.
Every platform has pros and cons to consider. Here are some of the most popular options:
eBay
eBay has a powerful online presence, and most people are familiar with it, so eBay listings are more likely to be viewed by a larger audience. eBay allows customers to send you offers and communicate in a regulated environment. However, eBay also charges higher seller fees than many platforms, so remember to factor those into your bottom line.
TackTack
TackTack is an equestrian-specific platform that is growing in popularity. It has much lower fees than eBay while still offering buyers and sellers a safer place to complete transactions and interact. Creating a listing on the TackTack app is fairly straightforward. You may encounter occasional glitches or errors, but overall, TackTack provides helpful support for most issues and is an excellent selling platform.
Facebook Marketplace
It’s free to create a listing on Facebook Marketplace, but keep in mind that it offers no seller or buyer protection for long-distance sales unless you complete transactions through Facebook’s optional built-in checkout feature. Read about Facebook’s seller policies and any associated fees to ensure you qualify for these protections before you make a sale.
Marketplace can be a great place to list, but watch out for potential scams, and don’t share personal information. Should you sell an item, don’t ship it before you verify payment.
Classifieds
Good old-fashioned local classifieds are often one of the most profitable options, depending on the number of fellow horse lovers in your area. Many local classified sites allow sellers to create listings for free, and local buyers will appreciate seeing items in person and saving on shipping costs.
Always consider your safety as you arrange to meet buyers in person. Communicate through a classified app when possible. Rather than give a stranger your home address, meet in a well-lit public place with plenty of foot traffic. Whenever possible, take a friend or family member along with you. Collect money in cash or through a reputable payment app, such as Venmo.
Ariat Reboot
Ariat Reboot is a resale platform launched by Ariat in 2023 to support sustainability and connect secondhand Ariat footwear with new owners. Sellers who use Reboot (which is powered by a resale company called Archive) keep seventy percent of an item’s purchase price in cash or one hundred percent if they opt for in-store credit with Ariat Reboot or another brand partner. Read the terms and conditions before listing, and be sure your item is represented accurately, or the buyer is permitted to return it for free.
4. Provide Great Customer Service
Improve your selling experience and collect positive reviews on your selling platforms by offering excellent service to your buyers. Remember to be kind and clear, respond to inquiries or problems promptly, clean your used items before shipping, package orders with care, and deliver purchases on time.
5. Be Patient
Some items sell right away, and others don’t. Try not to panic if you have to wait a while to make a sale or if you have to renew expired listings. It can take time for the right buyer to find your listing, especially if you’re selling a high-value or customized item, such as a saddle.
If you need to sell quickly, consider lowering your prices as needed to attract buyers. If you don’t have major time constraints, and you’re confident that the price you’ve set is reasonable, you’ll probably make the sale eventually. When you do, you’ll be glad you didn’t cut the price prematurely.
Enjoy Your Extra Cash
Now that you have all the necessary tools to sell your used horse tack, you’ll soon be counting your extra cash! If you enjoy reselling tack and apparel, remember that buying used or discounted items in the future will make them easier to sell with minimal monetary loss. If you buy a quality used item and take good care of it, it’s often possible to sell it later at nearly the same price you bought it for.Once you’ve had some practice, selling used tack and apparel will help you meet your future equestrian needs while staying within your budget.
For more helpful horse articles, please view our resources section.
Image by moodboard from Adobe Stock.
