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Tools & Power Equipment Guide

Tools are evergreen sellers. Professionals need quality equipment, and smart resellers profit from sourcing premium brands at discount prices.

Premium Brands (Best Margins)

Professional Hand Tools

Snap-on: The gold standard - 40-60% of retail resale
Matco: Professional grade, strong demand
Mac Tools: Truck brand, loyal following
Wera: German precision, cult following
Knipex: Best pliers on earth
Wiha: Premium screwdrivers

Power Tools

Milwaukee (M18/M12): Professional favorite, strong resale
DeWalt (20V Max/Flexvolt): Construction standard
Makita: Reliable, contractor trusted
Festool: Ultra-premium, expensive new and used
Hilti: Commercial/industrial, holds value

💡 Battery Platform Lock-in: Once pros invest in one battery platform (Milwaukee M18, DeWalt 20V), they buy more tools on that platform. Batteries sell well.

What Sells Best

Category	Examples	Resale %
Impact Wrenches	Milwaukee 2767, Snap-on CT	50-70%
Ratchets/Sockets	Snap-on, GearWrench	40-60%
Drills/Drivers	Milwaukee Fuel, DeWalt XR	50-65%
Saws	Circular, reciprocating, miter	40-60%
Air Tools	Snap-on, Ingersoll Rand	40-55%
Specialty Tools	Automotive specialty, trades specific	30-50%

Where to Source

Estate Sales: Workshop cleanouts often underpriced
Garage Sales: "Tools" keyword = go early
Pawn Shops: Negotiate, check function
Facebook Marketplace: Local deals, bundle opportunities
Craigslist: Job site cleanouts, retiring tradespeople
Auctions: Business liquidations, contractor bankruptcies
Tool truck trade-ins: Snap-on trucks sell trade-ins

What to Check

Functionality: Power tools - do they run smoothly?
Batteries: Li-ion batteries die over time - test charge
Wear items: Brushes, chucks, switches wear out
Model numbers: Some versions more desirable than others
Completeness: Cases, chargers, accessories add value
Warranty: Some brands have lifetime warranty (Snap-on)

Where to Sell

Platform	Fees	Best For
eBay	~13%	Everything, largest tool market
Facebook Marketplace	0% local	Local, no shipping hassle
OfferUp	0-12.9%	Local pickup focus
Craigslist	0%	Local, trades community
Mercari	10%	Smaller tools, quick sales

Outdoor Power Equipment

Chainsaw brands: Stihl, Husqvarna = premium prices
Mowers: Commercial (Scag, Exmark) hold value
String trimmers: Commercial 2-cycle equipment
Pressure washers: Commercial grade (Simpson, Pressure Pro)

Seasonal: Sell mowers in spring, snow blowers in fall. Buy opposite seasons for best deals.

Avoid

Harbor Freight/cheap brands: Low resale value
Dead batteries: Replacement costs kill margins
Obsolete platforms: Old battery systems nobody wants
Broken tools: Unless you can repair cheaply
Heavy/bulky items: Shipping kills profits