So you’ve got new gear or are done playing hockey and have no idea what you should do with your old hockey equipment. No problem, I’ve put together a list of some things you can do with your old unwanted hockey gear.
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Donate your used hockey equipment
First and foremost, if you are in a position where you can afford to donate yours or your kid’s old gear, I would heavily suggest it.
Hockey is one of the most expensive sports in the world, and used equipment that has been donated is the only way some people even get the opportunity to play the game. By donating your used hockey gear, you are actively growing the game of hockey by helping people who otherwise could not afford it.
Where to donate used hockey equipment
The first place you should check is your local arena. Most local arenas have programs that take in used and unwanted hockey equipment. They will restore it to useable condition, and then make sure it gets into the hands of someone who really could use it. So you know it’s getting into the right hands.
Some NHL arenas will often times have drop boxes where you can drop your used hockey gear off as part of a community outreach program.
You could even put up a Facebook ad saying you are looking for someone in need of hockey equipment, be sure to list sizes. Do a little due diligence before handing it over, unfortunately, some people look to take advantage of these kinds of posts by turning around and selling it.
I would recommend avoiding donating used hockey equipment to places like the salvation army or the goodwill, these places don’t ensure the equipment gets into the hands of someone who truly could use it, most of the time people will swipe up anything worth taking and list them on eBay for a higher price.
5 places you can sell your old hockey equipment
Finding a place to sell your used hockey equipment can sometimes be overwhelming, that’s why I’ve put together this list for you.
1. Local sporting good shops
Every city or town will usually have a local sporting goods store, and most of the time these stores will buy used equipment to turn around and sell it for a profit.
If you go this route, it is important you know how much your gear is worth, because they will try to lowball you as much as they can. Give them an inch, and they will take a mile. Trust me, I used to work at one. If they give you a lowball offer and refuse to budge, just walk away and try a different store.
2. SidelineSwap
SidelineSwap has quickly become one of the best places to buy and sell used sporting gear. They even provide you with a value guide that will help you set fair and accurate prices to ensure you sell the gear quickly and get what it’s actually worth.
Once your equipment sells, the process of getting paid is really smooth. Once you ship the gear out and provide a tracking number to the buyer you will receive the funds from the sale in your seller dashboard, which you can then withdraw right to your bank account.
3. Play it again sports
If you don’t like the idea of selling your used hockey equipment online, play it again sports may be the best option for you. They have over 300 locations in North America and are opening new locations all the time.
You don’t need an appointment or anything, all you have to do is bring your old hockey equipment into your local play it again sports store, and they will offer you what they believe it to be worth and if you decide to go through with their offer you walk out cash in hand that same day.
4. Facebook
This one is pretty obvious. Facebook marketplace is a great place to unload your old hockey gear locally, which can save you time and money. There is never any shortage of people browsing the Facebook marketplace looking for hockey gear.
Facebook groups are also a great place to list your used hockey gear. Join a local hockey group, make a post, and in no time you should have people hitting you up for more information about your gear.
5. eBay
eBay is one of the biggest online markets in the world, and most people I know use it to unload their unwanted hockey equipment.
It’s fairly simple, all you need to do is sign up for an account. Once you are signed up just create a listing, provide a photo of the equipment you are selling along with a title (title is usually the product name, year etc.) and a short description of the gear, include how used it is and if there are any blemishes a buyer should know about.
eBay will give you the ability to either set a buy it now price, or list it as an auction where people have a time limit to place their bids. Sometimes with auctions, you can get more than you would if you set your own buy it now price.
Final thoughts
Donating is obviously the first thing you should consider when getting rid of your old hockey equipment. However, sometimes donating isn’t always an option for everyone, and that’s totally understandable. I hope I have provided you with sufficient information to find your old gear a new home, whatever your situation. Cheers!
