Throughout the 90s, Beanie Babies were all the rage. Now, almost two decades later, the hype surrounding them is a distant memory for most of the people who lived through that era.
That said, there's still a massive market for Beanie Babies old and new, which means if you’ve got some old Beanie Babies in a closet somewhere, you could run into some serious cash by selling them.
If you're wondering where to sell Beanie Babies, I've got 12 of the best locations you should consider. Whether you prefer selling in person or online, there's a way for you to sell Beanie Babies quickly, easily, and for a fair price. Let's dig in.
How Much Are Beanie Babies Worth?
At present, most Beanie Babies will go for less than $20. There are, however, some that sell for hundreds, and some even command five-figure valuations.
So why is there such a wide price range for Beanie Babies? Well, a lot of factors collectively determine the value of a Beanie Baby, and the most important ones you need to know are condition, rarity, demand, and original MSRP.
1. Condition
The condition your Beanie Babies are in when you put them up for sale is incredibly important.
If they look like they just came out of the box and are in mint condition, you should be able to fetch a higher price for them. And if you have Beanie Babies that are still in their original packaging, that’s even better. Having the hang tags still attached will get you more money than those without.
On the other hand, if they're dirty, dusty, or torn, you’ll be lucky if you can get a double-digit figure for all of them. In most cases you might just get a few dollars for them, unless they are one of the most valuable Beanie Babies (more on this below).
Most Beanie Baby collectors say that condition is the most important factor—even more important than rarity.
2. Rarity
Rarity is another big factor that determines the value of Beanie Babies. If you have limited-edition Beanie Babies, it's likely you'll be able to fetch a pretty penny for these valuable Beanie Babies.
Below are some ultra-rare Beanie Babies you can find:
- Large Peking, Fortune, and China – These bears (together) have sold for $98,000 in the past.
- Scoop the Pelican – This plushy came out in 1996 but was retired just two years later because of a manufacturing error. A Scoop in great condition can go for $50,000, while a pristine Scoop with a blank tag can go for as much as $100,000.
- Libearty – This white bear has a flag on his heart and a red and blue ribbon around his neck. This plushy was only manufactured for a year as a 1996 Olympics promo. The OG Libearty has sold for $75,000 in the past.
- Sparky the Dalmatian – This one came out in 1996, and because he wasn't around for a long time, he’s sold for $55,000 in the past. And if you have the Sparky with the rare white star printed on its tag, you could get as much as $90,000 for this.
- Hope the Yellow Bear – Hope the Yellow Bear has fetched $16,000 in the past. What’s unique about her is she has a hopeful poem on her tag, and it’s really quite beautiful. This “Hope” came out in 1998. There’s a pink teddy bear named “Hope” for breast cancer awareness, but this plushy isn’t worth a lot of money.
Check out the video below for more info!
3. Demand
Demand is another important factor to consider when you're selling secondhand Beanie Babies. If there isn’t much demand for the Beanie Babies you have, you can't expect to get a lot of money for these.
On the other hand, if you have Beanie Babies that people still seem to love after all these years, you could profit handsomely from selling these, especially if they’re in pristine condition.
And don’t forget that demand and rarity don’t always go hand in hand when it comes to selling Beanie Babies.
A mass-produced Beanie Baby can be in demand because people love it, but that doesn’t mean it’s valuable.
In short, Beanie Babies that are in demand are easier to sell, but this doesn't mean you’ll automatically profit from selling in-demand Beanie Babies.
4. Original MSRP
Although it’s not all that important since these toys are almost 20 years old, you should consider your Beanie Baby’s original MSRP when setting an asking price.
If your Beanie Babies are valued at less than what they retailed for in the 1990s, it may be best to just give these away to children who need toys. Unless, of course, you can sell in bulk—then maybe you’ll scrape together a few hundred dollars from the sale.
Even the rare Beanie Babies didn't have a high MSRP when they were released; their high price tags came later, usually because of sudden discontinuation.
Best Places to Sell Beanie Babies (Online and Locally)
At the outset, I should point out that not every selling method below is ideal for every Beanie Baby seller.
For example, if you’re a first-time seller, you may have better luck on community-oriented sites like Facebook Marketplace and Reddit.
On the other hand, if you're a serious seller who’s looking to do business with collectors, you should go on one of the sites that caters to collectors or visit a collector’s shop in person.
Where you choose to sell your Beanie Babies in large part determines how much you’ll get for these, so taking the time to choose the right place is paramount.
Below are 10 destinations that individuals often visit to sell Beanie Babies:
1. eBay
You could also find a buyer for your Beanie Babies on eBay. Founded nearly two decades ago, eBay has grown to be the largest online marketplace, and since its inception it's been a first destination for individuals who want to sell collectibles online.
In fact, eBay was one of the main places for selling Beanie Babies back in the 1990s, as the site was new when Beanie Babies were white-hot.
Setting up an account on eBay is free, and this auction-style site allows you to see exactly how much individuals are willing to pay for the Beanie Babies you have.
If you're selling on eBay, keep in mind that they do charge almost 13% of the sale price (+ $0.30) in fees. This is a lot when compared to what similar online marketplaces charge.
That said, it’s customary for buyers to pick up the cost of shipping on eBay, so you do save in this respect (but not always!).
The main advantage of selling through eBay is the access to a large pool of potential buyers. You can easily sell your entire collection on eBay and get the most money for your collection because of the pure amount of people buying. The is the best place to sell Beanie Babies in my experience.
2. BB Novelties
BB Novelties is an online marketplace where individuals can buy and sell collectibles, toys, sports cards, board games, and related products.
This is a one-stop shop for those who want to sell and buy Beanie Babies, Ty Beanie Boos, and other Ty products.
How it works is BB Novelties will buy what you have to sell and then resell it on their site for a profit. And if you choose to do business here, you can count on fair appraisals and offers.
Because the transaction is handled this way, you won't make as much as you would selling to a collector but it's a fast and easy option to sell your Beanie Babies online.
You could also sell your Beanie Babies to them and then buy some of the products they’re offering with the proceeds.
And sometimes they offer attractive deals to those who want to sell in bulk, and if you take advantage of one of these you could replace your old collectibles with more modern ones.
Either way, BB Novelties is a quick platform to sell Beanie Babies online if you want some extra cash.
3. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook is no longer just for connecting with friends, family, and individuals who have similar interests. A lot of people are using the Facebook Marketplace to sell items locally.
Using the Facebook Marketplace, you may find a Beanie Baby enthusiast who’s the perfect buyer. However, you may also find people who are just trying to clear out their attics and make a quick sale.
For this reason, expect haggling when using Facebook Marketplace.
And don’t forget to take proper precautions if you're doing a face-to-face transaction. Most users now conduct transactions at crowded shopping malls or in front of police stations just in case.
There’s no selling fee when you sell on Facebook, which is another reason why it’s a preferred option these days.
The only downside is that it can be tough to find buyers depending on where you live. Most collectors tend to be in large cities, so if you're in a rural area, it could be more challenging to sell your Beanie Babies on Facebook Marketplace.
4. Local Collectable Shops
Selling at a local collector’s shop is a good move if you prefer face-to-face transactions and want money fast.
Collector’s shops are usually staffed with individuals who know a lot about vintage toys, and in most shops there’s a space for Beanie Babies.
However, you’re going to run into the same problem of getting a mere fraction of what your Beanie Babies are worth if you sell to a collector’s shop, since they need to resell what you sell to them.
Additionally, selling to a nearby collector’s shop will stimulate the local economy and support a small business – which can be a good feeling.
5. Craigslist
Craigslist is another option for individuals who don't want to travel far to sell Beanie Babies. You can, however, ship the products you sell on Craigslist, though face-to-face transactions are the norm on this platform.
Of course if you have boxes of Beanie Babies to sell, selling in person may not be feasible.
The thing about selling on Craigslist is you narrow your market. In other words, there may not be a lot of people in your area who are interested in buying your Beanie Babies, just like Facebook.
There's also a lot of haggling on this platform, and you may have to dodge some scammers before you come across a legitimate buyer who’s willing to pay a fair amount for what you have to sell.
6. Ruby Lane
You can sell your Beanie Babies on Ruby Lane who buy all kinds of vintage toys.
A lot of the plushies on their site sell at $30-$50, though some sell for over $75. Of course selling to them means you'll only get a fraction of the price they sell at.
Selling to Ruby Lane is a good option if you have in-demand plushies and you care more about selling quickly than getting the best price.
Note: Ruby Lane isn’t a good place to sell collector’s items, as they won’t be able to pay the hundreds or thousands of dollars you could get selling directly to a collector.
7. Etsy
Etsy is mainly a platform for selling handmade goods, but there is a market for collectibles and vintage items like your Beanie Baby collection.
While selling on Etsy will be more challenging than eBay or other marketplaces, it's still possible.
Selling in bulk on Etsy is definitely unique, as most of the buyers are really only looking for individual Beanie Babies, and most know ahead of time which plushies they want.
For the most part, the buyers on Etsy are individuals who are looking to use Beanie Babies as part of their artistic projects—you’re not going to find the collectors on this platform.
8. Pawn Shops
Looking to get cash in your hands quickly?
You could also pawn your Beanie Babies, but you won’t get a lot of money for them unless they’re ultra rare.
And even if you pull up with some rare Beanie Babies, the pawnshop is only going to give you a fraction of what they’re worth, as they’ll need to turn a profit on these.
However, if you just want fast money and you intend to get your Beanie Babies back, pawning them is a great move.
9. Reddit Groups
Selling through Reddit groups is a lot like selling on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
The thing about selling through Reddit groups is it’s likely you’ll come across a Beanie Baby enthusiast, but just because they love the product doesn’t mean they have deep pockets.
And although there’s a community of Beanie Baby lovers on Reddit, you’re still not going to find tons of collectors buying items on this site.
10. Yard Sales
Selling your Beanie Babies at a yard sale is what you should do if you don’t mind getting pennies on the dollar for them.
In other words, if you don't want to go through the hassle of making a listing for your Beanie Babies—or you don't want to go to a collector’s shop just to be turned down for having lackluster items—put them out with the other things you no longer want in your home.
Consider it a success if you get between $20 and $50 for a dozen average Beanie Babies.
11. Mercari
Selling Beanie Babies on Mercari is simple. Mercari is a popular online marketplace that resembles eBay in many ways, and on here toys, board games, and a variety of other fun items are bought and sold.
You can also download their app to sell your items from your phone. It's free to set up an account, and usually the buyers are the ones who cover the cost of shipping.
While Mercari does charge a 10% transaction fee, it’s cheaper than eBay’s.
If you're selling online, consider Mercari.
12. Flea Markets or Thrift Stores
Another option to sell locally are flea markets and thrift stores.
Selling at a local flea market isn't going to yield the most money for your items, but it's a relatively easy and fast way to get some extra money.
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How to Get the Best Price for Your Beanie Babies
As is often the case when reselling products, you’ll need to be tactical if your chief priority is selling for a good price.
1. Understand the Market
Understanding the market is critical. Not only do you need to know what your Beanie Babies are worth—you need to know exactly who’s out there looking to buy them as well.
You should also know which selling avenue is best for your situation.
For example, if you have collectibles to sell, you should avoid going to Facebook Marketplace or similar platforms, as collectors don’t use these sites when shopping for Beanie Babies.
And knowing when these toys are in demand and when they’re not is important too. Around the holidays they're in demand because people give them as gifts; they do make a great stocking-stuffer.
You also have to be cognizant of the fact that a lot of Beanie Babies lovers are individuals who grew up in the 90s, so catering to these individuals in your marketing is likely to yield good results.
2. Negotiate Smartly
It’s likely you’ll have to do some smart negotiating when selling Beanie Babies online or at a collector’s shop.
One tactic you can use involves leaving out a few of your best Beanie Babies when you’re selling these toys in bulk. This way, if an interested buyer wants to haggle, you can offer these left-out toys as a deal-sweetener, which will likely lead to a close.
You could also set the total price of the Beanie Babies higher than what you’re really looking for, as this way negotiating down means you're negotiating to the more realistic price you wanted all along.
And if you can create a viral listing, it's likely a bidding war will break out, which you'll have to handle properly in order to get the best price being offered.
You could also offer other collectibles to ensure a sale. Often individuals who are purchasing Beanie Babies are purchasing other old toys as well, so mention what you’ve got, as these products may be enough to make a buyer agree to do a deal.
3. Be Reasonable
Being reasonable is incredibly important when you're selling Beanie Babies. After all, you don't want a good deal falling through the cracks just because you couldn’t secure a few more dollars.
If you're selling Beanie Babies that aren't in mint condition, for example, you need to be willing to accept a final price that’s below your asking price, provided it's not outrageously low.
You could also offer to pay for shipping as a way to close the deal. Remember that secondhand Beanie Babies aren't valuable until someone’s willing to pay for them.
At the end of the day, would you rather have no money because you were inflexible with your asking price or proceeds you didn't have before because you found the right buyer who was willing to pay a fair, but lower, price for your Beanie Babies?
I think that one’s a no-brainer!
4. Don’t Accept the First Offer
One of the first things you'll learn when you start reselling products is never take the first offer. Buyers usually throw out lowball offers in hopes that sellers will accept because they’re desperate to get the products off their hands.
For this reason, you should always have a counteroffer in your back pocket. If you respond to an unreasonable offer with a reasonable one, you could turn the tables and give the buyer the impression they just struck a great deal.
And when someone presents you with an offer, don’t feel pressured to make a decision right away. Bending under pressure almost always leads to getting less money than you could’ve got.
It's best to mull an offer for at least 24 hours before making a decision. If the buyer demands a response before this, decline. No buyer who cares about ensuring a mutually beneficial transaction is going to apply this kind of pressure.
Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Sell Your Beanie Babies Locally and Online
At the end of the day, selling Beanie Babies that are just taking up space in your closet, basement, or attic can be a great way to get some quick cash.
If you have some stuffed animals in mint condition, you might be capable of fetching hundreds of dollars for them by put them for sale online or selling locally.
And once you get the hang of selling Beanie Babies, you can start selling related collectibles alongside these.
If you're looking for other ways to make money checkout these posts!
- Flipping on eBay – How to Make $1000 a Month+
- How to Flip 1000 Dollars – 13 Proven Methods
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