Stuffed animals are comforting objects that children adore and adults cherish too. But over time many people accumulate more stuffed animals than they know what to do with. If you’re looking to part ways with your once-beloved plushies, there are many places where you can sell stuffed animals.
Online Marketplaces and Classified Ads
eBay
With over 180 million buyers, eBay is one of the largest online marketplaces to sell your used stuffed animals (82% of items sold on eBay are used). You’ll have access to a huge buyer base of collectors and bargain hunters looking for deals. eBay also makes selling super easy.
Just create a listing with photos, set your price and shipping details, and eBay handles the rest. Their seller protection programs help ensure safe transactions too.
Craigslist
Craigslist is a popular classifieds site to sell locally. Create an ad for your stuffed animals and set up meetups with interested buyers in your area. The advantage of Craigslist is no listing or transaction fees (unlike eBay which takes a cut).
The drawback is you’ll generally earn less money, but if you want to declutter quickly, Craigslist is worth trying. Just use common sense when meeting strangers – meet in a public place in daylight hours.
Facebook Marketplace
With over 1 billion daily users, Facebook Marketplace allows you to sell to friends, family and followers on Facebook. Create a listing right from your Facebook app and interested buyers can contact you through Messenger. Meet locally for a safe exchange.
An advantage of Marketplace is leveraging your existing connections for sales opportunities. However, there are no seller protections in place, so only meet with buyers you trust.
Mercari
Mercari makes selling stuffed animals online easy with their mobile app. Take photos of your items, set a fixed price, and Mercari handles shipping logistics when something sells. They have over 100 million downloads in the US and allow sellers to fund future purchases by accumulating Mercari credits.
One downside is their selling fees – they take 10% of sales + transaction fees. But if convenience is key, Mercari is a user-friendly option.
Consignment Shops and Secondhand Stores
Once Upon A Child
Once Upon A Child is a popular consignment store chain with over 380 locations across North America that buys and sells gently used children’s clothing, shoes, toys, and equipment, including stuffed animals!
According to the store’s website, they accept high-quality plush toys without holes, stains, or rips from name brands like Ty, Douglas, and Gund. For the best price, make sure all stuffing is secure and cleanly wash toys before bringing them in. You’ll earn 40-60% of the selling price. 👍
Parents love shopping at Once Upon A Child because you can find everything you need for kids at fraction of retail prices – up to 70% off! So it’s a great place to sell quality secondhand stuffed animals. 😊
Plato’s Closet
While known mostly for stylish secondhand clothing and accessories, many Plato’s Closet locations also buy and sell toys and stuffed animals! This popular teen/young adult thrift store has over 600 locations across the United States.
Give your local Plato’s Closet a call to ask if they accept plush toys. If so, items should be clean and in great shape with no holes or damages. As long as your stuffed animals are from popular brands in demand, don’t be surprised to get 30-50% cash or more of the resale price! 🤑
Kid to Kid
Specializing in children’s secondhand goods, Kid to Kid has over 100 stores primarily based in the Midwest, South, and western states. They buy “gently loved” stuffed plush creatures to resell at reasonable prices.
Before bringing in stuffed animals, give each a fresh wash and make sure all limbs are attached and seam lines secure. Kid to Kid pays up to 60% cash of expected resale amount for clean, high-quality plush brands like Jellycat, Douglas, Aurora, and Ty. 👍
Clothes Mentor
While mainly focused on Used women’s fashion, some Clothes Mentor locations with extra space in kids sections also buy and sell quality stuffed plush toys.
This national chain has over 100 used clothing boutiques across the U.S. Check with your local store to see if they accept stuffed animals for resale. Popular brands like Build-A-Bear, Ty, and Jellycat tend to sell the fastest.
You can potentially earn up to 50% of the resale price in cash or more on the spot. 🤑
Specialty Toy Buyers
Toy Traders
Toy traders and specialty toy stores are excellent places to sell your pre-loved stuffed animals. These buyers appreciate unique, high-quality plush toys and are often willing to pay good money, especially for rare vintage pieces or popular brands like Steiff, Gund, or Ty.
According to the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, the stuffed animal secondary market has grown over 20% in recent years as collectors seek out one-of-a-kind additions for their collections.
Before approaching a toy trader or specialty shop, research which types of plush they specialize in and make sure your items meet their criteria. Prepare photographs and be ready to show any tags verifying brands, ages, or limited edition status.
Stores like Squishable Hunter Toys focus exclusively on finding homes for retired or hard-to-find Squishables, while The Toy Trove deals in a wide variety of brands and eras. Contact them ahead to inquire about buying policies and pricing.
Friends of Stuffed Animals Charity
For those looking to declutter with a heart, Friends of Stuffed Animals is a nonprofit that accepts plush toy donations and distributes them to children in need. They have over 60 chapters across North America and have gifted more than 3 million stuffed animals to hospital patients, disaster victims, foster kids, and more since being founded in 2013.
Per their website, they accept all stuffed animals regardless of condition, though it’s best to launder items before donating.
After confirming your local chapter’s donation guidelines, consider rounding up that mountain of Beanie Babies gathering dust in your closet. Though you won’t profit, you’ll free up space in your home while knowing your beloved stuffies are sparking joy for kids navigating difficult circumstances.
It’s Loved Ones
For those wanting their pre-loved plush to find new homes with collectors who’ll cherish them, It’s Loved Ones is a reputable online marketplace launching early next year. Focused exclusively on stuffed animals, it provides a platform for buyers, sellers, appraisers, and even hosts authentication events.
According to founder, Maggie Hope, “Far too often, cherished stuffed animals end up boxed away in attics. Like a ‘plushie Match.com,’ we connect adoring owners with these toys’ next guardians. Whether you have a worn but much-loved bedtime buddy or a mint-condition vintage Steiff bear, It’s Loved Ones celebrates the joy these special stuffed friends can bring.”
The site, which emphasizes ethical practices and privacy protections, has already garnered praise from major plush brands and collectors. With specialty authentication services and fair market pricing guidance, It’s Loved Ones looks to be the ideal venue for finding stuffed animals their perfect forever homes.
In-Person Sales
Garage Sales
Garage sales can be a great place to sell gently used stuffed animals. As kids outgrow their beloved plush pals, parents are often looking for ways to declutter. Setting up a table at your own garage sale is an easy way to pass stuffed animals on to new homes.
You can group animals by size or type and attach clear pricing so buyers know what things cost. Some tips for successfully selling plush toys at garage sales:
- Price items competitively – Shoppers expect great deals at yard sales, usually paying just $1-5 per stuffed buddy.
- Merchandise animals attractively – Use baskets, shelves, or stacks to nicely display your fluffy inventory.
- Advertise widely – Get the word out on Nextdoor, community bulletin boards, and with sidewalk signs to drive traffic.
Craft Fairs and Flea Markets
Outdoor craft fairs and flea markets also lend themselves well to peddling pre-loved plush creatures. These events tend to draw big crowds searching for unique treasures. You’ll want to make your booth eye-catching to stand out from the competition. Some ideas:
- Curate stuffed animals by theme – Group together farm animals, jungle critters, teddy bears, etc.
- Use tiered displays – Place plushes on stacked crates or shelving so more inventory is visible.
- Decorate cheerfully – Add bright tablecloths or twinkle lights to attract shoppers.
- Offer bargain bins – Have bins of $1-3 animal bargains people can sift through to discover hidden gems.
The key is creating an inviting stuffed animal boutique shoppers will be eager to explore!
Donate to Children’s Hospitals and Shelters
For stuffed animals still in good condition, consider donating them directly to children in need. Here are some worthy outlets:
| Children’s Hospitals | Child life programs often accept plush toy donations to comfort kids facing medical procedures or extended hospital stays. |
| Domestic Violence Shelters | Help bring smiles to children staying at DV shelters by gifting beloved stuffed friends. |
| Foster Care Centers | New foster kids appreciate lovable plush pals as they transition into temporary housing arrangements. |
Call your local organizations to ask about current stuffed animal donation needs. This lets your pre-loved plushes provide nurturing and joy to children undergoing hardship. It’s often more rewarding than making just a few dollars through sale.
Conclusion
With many options like online marketplaces, consignment shops, toy traders, and in-person sales, selling your stuffed animals is easy. Consider what’s important to you – making the most money or knowing your beloved plushies will go to a good home.
Whatever you decide, you can find a stuffed animal buyer that fits your needs.
