What Sells Fast in Kingston (and What to Donate): 2026 Seller's Guide

Not all used items are created equal. Some fly off the virtual shelf in hours. Others will sit in your basement until 2037.

You've got stuff to sell. Great. But before you spend hours photographing, listing, and messaging, ask yourself: is this actually going to sell?

Because here's the truth: some items have a waiting list of buyers in Kingston. Other items you couldn't give away with a free coffee and a hug.

I've sold thousands of items in this city. I've learned the hard way what moves fast and what becomes a permanent resident of my living room. Here's exactly what sells in Kingston and what you should just donate and move on.

First: Why Some Items Sell and Others Don't

The 2026 Kingston buyer wants:

• Value (cheaper than new, obviously)
• Convenience (easy to pick up)
• Utility (actually useful)
• Condition (clean and working)
• Fair price (not "I know what I have" pricing)

The 2026 Kingston buyer does NOT want:

• Your sentimental attachment
• Your original price tag
• Your "vintage" junk that's actually just old
• Something that needs work (unless priced accordingly)
• Something hard to transport

Items That Sell Fast in Kingston

Gold Tier: Sell Within 24 Hours

1. Twin XL Bedding

Why: Queen's and St. Lawrence students need twin XL sheets. Regular twin doesn't fit. Stores charge $40-60 for a set. Used ones in good condition sell for $20-30 instantly.

Best time to sell: August-September, January

Price: $20-30 for sheet sets, $40-60 for complete bedding sets

2. Mini Fridges

Why: Every dorm room needs one. Every apartment wants one. They're portable, useful, and students will pay.

Best time to sell: August-September, April (students leaving sell cheaper)

Price: $50-100 depending on size and condition

3. Textbooks (During Add/Drop)

Why: The first two weeks of each semester, students are desperate for specific textbooks. After that, they're worth nothing.

Best time to sell: First two weeks of September and January

Price: 50-70% of new (if current edition)

4. Popular Video Game Consoles

Why: PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X. Always in demand. Hold value well.

Best time to sell: Year-round, peak in November-December

Price: Check current used market (varies)

5. Recent Model iPhones

Why: Everyone wants an iPhone. New ones cost $1,500+. Used ones at $600-800 sell fast.

Best time to sell: Year-round, especially after new model releases (people upgrade)

Price: 60-80% of new depending on condition and battery health

6. Winter Tires on Rims

Why: Kingston winters are real. People need tires. Having them already mounted on rims is worth extra.

Best time to sell: October-November

Price: $400-800 depending on tire quality and remaining tread

7. Bikes (Spring)

Why: Kingston is flat and bikeable. Students and residents want bikes as soon as the snow melts.

Best time to sell: April-June

Price: $100-500 depending on quality

8. Moving Boxes

Why: People are always moving. New boxes cost $2-5 each. Used boxes in good condition sell for $0.50-1 each or $20 for a bundle.

Best time to sell: April-September (peak moving season)

Price: $0.50-1 per box, or bundle deals

9. Lululemon / Brand Name Athletic Wear

Why: Queen's students love brand names. Lululemon holds value better than any other clothing brand.

Best time to sell: Year-round, peak September

Price: 40-60% of retail for good condition

10. Small Kitchen Appliances

Why: Instant Pot, Air Fryer, Keurig. Students and young professionals want convenience.

Best time to sell: September (students arriving), April (students leaving sell cheaper)

Price: $30-80 depending on item and condition

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Silver Tier: Sell Within a Week

11. Dressers (IKEA and solid wood)

IKEA MALM and popular styles: $60-120

Solid wood: $100-250

Best time: September peak, April (more supply, lower prices)

12. Desks

Students need desks. Always.

$40-100 depending on size and quality

Best time: September, January

13. Lamps and Lighting

Everyone needs light. Floor lamps, desk lamps, table lamps.

$10-40 depending on style and condition

14. Coffee Tables

Living rooms need coffee tables.

$40-100 depending on quality

15. Sofas (in good condition)

Clean, no stains, no smells, no pets? It'll sell.

$200-500 depending on brand and condition

Warning: Sofas with any issues (smells, stains, pet hair) are FREE category.

16. MacBooks

Apple products hold value.

$500-1,200 depending on age and condition

Best time: September (students), year-round

17. Power Tools (DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee)

Tradespeople and homeowners buy used.

$50-200 per tool depending on age and condition

Best time: Year-round

18. Patio Furniture (Spring)

April-June is peak.

$100-400 for sets, $20-60 for individual chairs

19. Air Conditioners (May-June)

Window AC units sell fast when it gets hot.

$50-150 depending on size and condition

20. Area Rugs (clean)

Good condition, no stains, no pet smells.

$30-100 depending on size and quality

Bronze Tier: Will Sell Eventually (Be Patient)

21. Books (non-textbook)

Most books sell for $2-5. Don't expect much.

Better to donate or trade at Berry & Peterson.

22. CDs and DVDs

Sorry, but physical media is dead. $1 each. Bundle them.

23. Everyday Clothing (Old Navy, H&M, Gap)

$5-15 per item. Better to bundle by size or donate.

24. Older Electronics (TVs from 2015)

$50-100 if they work. Free if they don't.

25. Basic Dishes and Glassware

$1-3 per piece. Better to bundle as "kitchen starter set."

Items That Don't Sell (Just Donate)

The "Free or Donate" Tier

26. Mattresses

Why: Everyone worries about bed bugs. Even clean mattresses are hard to sell.

What to do: Free on curb, or pay for disposal. Some charities take them in good condition (call first).

27. Upholstered Furniture with Issues

Stains? Smells? Pet hair? Rips? Free only.

28. Tube TVs (CRTs)

Why: They weigh 50 pounds and no one wants them. Unless you find a retro gamer (rare).

What to do: Electronics recycling at Best Buy.

29. Exercise Equipment (Bulky)

Treadmills, elliptical machines. Hard to move, hard to sell. Free if you want it gone.

30. Baby Gear with Expiration

Car seats expire. Used car seats are dangerous. Donate only if within expiry and unused.

31. Helmets

Same reason. Helmets expire after impact. Don't sell used helmets.

32. Cribs (Old Models)

Safety standards change. Old cribs may not meet current regulations. Check before selling.

33. Encyclopedias

No one has used these since 1998. Recycle them.

34. VHS Tapes

Unless they're rare horror or Disney (and even then), no one wants them.

35. Half-Used Toiletries

Just throw them out. No one wants your half-empty shampoo.

The Kingston Specifics

What Students Buy

• Twin XL bedding
• Mini fridges
• Microwaves
• Desks
• Desk chairs
• Lamps
• Small rugs
• Basic kitchen stuff
• Textbooks (during add/drop)
• Bikes
• IKEA furniture
• Storage bins
• Power bars / extension cords

What Families Buy

• Quality furniture (solid wood)
• Kids clothes (bundled by size)
• Toys (brand name, clean)
• Baby gear (within expiry)
• Outdoor equipment
• Tools
• Vehicles

What Military Families Buy

• Everything (they move often)
• Furniture (they don't want to move heavy stuff again)
• Appliances
• Vehicles
• Household goods

What No One Buys in Kingston

• Large, heavy furniture (hard to move)
• Mismatched dishes
• Clothes with stains
• Shoes with wear
• Anything broken
• Anything that needs "just a small fix"
• Old printers (ink costs more than printer)
• Desktop computers (laptops only)

The "Should I Sell This?" Flowchart

Ask yourself these questions:

Is it clean and in good condition?

Yes → Keep going

No → Donate or trash

Is it something people actually need?

Yes → Keep going

No → Donate

Is it easy to transport?

Yes → Keep going

No → Price lower or offer delivery (rare)

Is it worth at least $20?

Yes → Sell it

No → Bundle with similar items or donate

Is it seasonal and the right season?

Yes → Sell now

No → Store for later or price low

Price Points That Work in Kingston

Under $20:

Sells instantly. No thought required. People impulse buy.

$20-50:

Still sells fast if item is desirable.

$50-100:

People think about it. Need good photos and description.

$100-200:

Serious buyers only. May take a few days.

$200-500:

Takes time. Price right. Be patient.

$500+:

Small audience. May take weeks. Use multiple platforms.

Bundle Strategy

If you have small items that won't sell individually, bundle them:

"Kitchen Starter Set" - pots, pans, dishes, utensils - $40

"Student Dorm Package" - twin XL sheets, lamp, storage bins - $60

"Winter Gear Bundle" - coat, gloves, hat, scarf - $80

Bundles sell because:

• Buyers feel like they're getting a deal
• You move multiple items at once
• Less work for you

What to Do With Unsellable Items

Donate:

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

• 2455 Princess Street
• Furniture, appliances, building materials

Mission Thrift Store

• 816 Division Street
• Clothing, housewares, small furniture

Value Village

• 1075 Wellington Street
• Everything (but they're picky)

Talize

• 1953 Division Street
• Clothing, housewares

Recycle:

Best Buy

• Electronics, batteries, cables

City of Kingston Hazardous Waste Depot

• 196 Lappan's Lane
• Paint, chemicals, electronics

Free Groups:

Free Stuff Kingston (Facebook)

Buy Nothing Kingston (Facebook)

Curb alert with address

Why Fliku Helps You Sell Faster

Fliku connects you with buyers who are actually serious:

• Verified profiles (no time-wasters)
• User ratings (trustworthy buyers)
• Kingston focus (local only)
• Safe meetups (built-in)

When you list on Fliku, you're not competing with Toronto scammers and bots. You're selling to real Kingston people who want what you have.

[List your items on Fliku - Kingston's fastest-growing marketplace]

FAQ: What Sells in Kingston

Q: What's the #1 fastest-selling item in Kingston?

A: Twin XL bedding in September. Students will fight for it.

Q: What never sells?

A: Mattresses, tube TVs, encyclopedias, and anything with stains.

Q: Should I sell clothes?

A: Brand names only. Lululemon, Aritzia, Patagonia. Everything else donate or bundle.

Q: What about textbooks?

A: Only during add/drop weeks. After that, they're worth $0.

Q: How do I know if my price is right?

A: Research similar items on Fliku and Marketplace. Price slightly lower to sell fast.

Q: What's the best furniture to sell?

A: IKEA (popular styles), solid wood, anything student-friendly.

Q: Should I sell electronics?

A: Yes, if they're recent and working. Include charger, show it working.

Q: What about winter tires?

A: Gold. Sell in October-November. On rims = bonus.

Q: How do I sell a sofa?

A: Clean it. Photos in good light. No stains, no smells, no pets. Price fairly.

The Bottom Line

Not everything you own is worth selling. Be honest with yourself.

If it's clean, useful, and wanted: list it on Fliku and Marketplace.

If it's not: donate it, recycle it, or put it on the curb.

Your time is valuable. Spend it selling things that actually sell.

Have something you're not sure about? Drop it in the comments. Kingston sellers will tell you if it's worth listing.