Where And How To Sell Your Old Bongs, Pipes, Glass, And Other Smoking Tools/Devices When You're Ready For Something New Online

If you're as much a smoker as I am, you probably have a collection of smoking tools such as bongs, pipes, and vaporizers. As with any sm...

If you're as much a smoker as I am, you probably have a collection of smoking tools such as bongs, pipes, and vaporizers. As with any smoker, you probably don't use large portions of this collection at any point in time ever. Sometimes I look through my glass shelf and ask myself where a particular piece even came from.

But with any hobby, it's only natural to want to upgrade your equipment every now and then. When that time comes, you may be wondering what to do with your old smoking tools. Selling them can be a great way to make some extra cash and clear out space for your new purchases, especially if you have higher-end heady glass that can easily reach into the $1000+ range. Many people like to collect- many just like the function. Selling the stuff you're tired of can prevent you from ending up with a car loan payoff worth of glass (unless that's what you want!)

Before you start selling your old smoking tools, it's important to do your research. The first step is to determine the value of your items. Look around online and check out the prices of similar items. This will give you an idea of how much your items are worth so you can set a fair price. Knowing the value of your items will also help you determine if you should sell them individually or as a set. A big point of contention for most, if not all glass enthusiasts is going to be whether or not it's American glass or import glass, AKA "China Glass". Import glass is the typical no-name, unbranded, often weak and flimsy mass-production pieces we see come into your local run-of-the-mill smoke shop. There tends to be little to no value held within these pieces. To the right person though, a set of such glass or even the greater functioning pieces will still be a worthwhile secondhand purchase.

Lots of import pieces have great functions and work decently for what they are. But, like most art, it'll only be worth what someone will pay for it. This is a double edge sword particularly for expensive heady American glass, as the value we've seen pieces hold in years past is quickly fading.

Once you know the value of your items, it's time to take good-quality photos. High-quality photos are essential when selling your items online. They will help buyers see the condition of your items and make a more informed decision. Make sure to take multiple photos from different angles and include any close-ups of any unique or intricate designs. If you have any damage on your items, make sure to take photos of that as well and state it in your listing. One of the biggest hallmarks of online glass sales is to have the pieces completely clean. Nobody is buying dirty glass, and you really shouldn't even consider taking pictures until they've been thoroughly cleaned to their original state.

When it comes to selling your smoking tools, you have a few options:

GlassPass:

GlassPass is my go-to for selling my glass. With a variety of built-in safeguards to protect you such as payment escrow, in-app tracking, and ease of sale of items, there really isn't a better platform in my opinion for selling your glass quickly and easily. Upon receiving your item you record an unboxing video, and if it's broken or wrong for any reason, you'll get your money back. This video also serves as the seller's insurance claim info. With auction and regular listing functionality as well you can see just how much your piece can get. 

The only downside- much like most auctions, if someone wins and chooses not to go through with the sale for whatever reason, you'll have to relist it, start all over again, and hope those same bidders from before are hot on that piece. It can be disappointing. But hiccups like that are a small price to pay for such a high level of safety.

One great GlassPass benefit is super easy, super cheap ad services. They charge a super low flat rate to either bump your post to the top of the feed or boost it across the whole app for 24 hours. It's awesome and can be a game-changer for making a quick sale.

They pay out through a variety of methods, from PayPal to Cashapp to Venmo + their very own proprietary payment processor for reduced fees.

Facebook Groups:

Facebook groups are the hidden gem of glass sales. When nobody else will buy your crappy $40 beaker piece, somebody on a Facebook group will for sure. Within the heady glass groups, you can expect to find people who are highly knowledgeable about all things glass and will be quick to help (or correct) you with anything you need. 

They're also so, so picky. 

GlassGrab:

GlassGrab is another great platform for selling your glass. It's a little different and a little newer than GlassPass, but offers a lot of functionality that is really cool such as live verification pictures, and a plethora of options as far as classifying your listing goes to help people find it easier. They're also releasing changes all the time, and super great.

GlassGrab offers some additional functionalities that go beyond GlassPass's base-level stuff. Really cool.

Promoting your sale is also an important step when selling your smoking tools. Share your sale on social media, post flyers in your local community, and consider reaching out to local smoke shops to see if they would be interested in buying your items. This is also a great way to reach a large audience and increase your chances of selling your items quickly. While Facebook doesn't really have a way to help with this, both GlassPass and GlassGrab both have methods to help you promote within the app.

When selling your smoking tools, it's important, to be honest, and transparent about their condition. If there are any damages, make sure to disclose them in your listing. This will help buyers make an informed decision and avoid any confusion or disappointment after the sale. It is considered poor form to try and sell or even post pictures of a dirty piece and is even likely to end up removed.

Another thing to keep in mind is packaging and shipping your items. Make sure to package your items properly to avoid any damage during shipping. Consider using bubble wrap or packing peanuts to protect your items during transit. If you're selling your items online, also be sure to include shipping costs in your listing and be clear about your shipping policies.

In conclusion, selling your old smoking tools can be a great way to make some extra cash and clear out space for your new purchases. By doing your research, taking good-quality photos, and choosing the right selling method, you'll be able to sell your old smoking tools with ease and make the most money possible. Remember to be honest and transparent about the condition of your items, and to package and ship them properly to ensure a successful sale. With these tips in mind, you'll be on your way to upgrading your smoking tools and making some extra cash in no time.