Sell Used Items in Portland
Sell used books, CDs, vinyl, phones and games in Portland, OR. Compare local buyback shops with online prices - Powell's, Everyday Music and more.
Portland might be the best city in America for selling used stuff locally. Powell’s City of Books alone makes it worth considering. Add in Everyday Music, Jackpot Records, and a thriving thrift culture, and you’ve got real options.
But even in Portland, online buyback beats local for many everyday items. Here’s the honest breakdown.
What do you want to sell?
Books
Local options in Portland:
- Powell’s City of Books (Pearl District/Burnside) - the world’s largest independent bookstore buys used books daily; cash or store credit
- Powell’s Books on Hawthorne (Hawthorne) - second location, also buys used books
- Cameron’s Books (Downtown) - Portland’s oldest bookstore, buys antiquarian and used titles
- Mother Foucault’s Bookshop (SE Division) - buys art, literature, and critical theory books
Powell’s is the game-changer. Unlike most indie bookstores, they buy at volume and accept a wider range of titles. Store credit pays 30-50% more than cash. Expect to wait 30-60 minutes during peak times.
| Local (Powell’s) | Online | |
|---|---|---|
| What they buy | Wide range | Wider still |
| Average price | $1-5 (store credit) | $0.50-5 per book |
| Cash price | $0.50-3 | $0.50-5 per book |
| Experience | Iconic, worth the trip | Convenient |
Powell’s is genuinely competitive for books. But for the titles they reject, online picks up the slack. Compare book prices →
CDs & Vinyl Records
Local options in Portland:
- Jackpot Records (multiple locations) - Portland’s favorite record store for 25+ years, buys vinyl and CDs
- Music Millennium (NE Broadway) - Portland’s oldest record store, open since 1969
- Clinton Street Record & Stereo (SE Clinton) - great selection of rare vinyl, supports local artists
- Little Axe Records (NE Sandy) - eclectic selection, buys all genres
Portland’s record scene is exceptional. Multiple shops competing means better prices for sellers. Vinyl collectors are everywhere in this city.
| Local | Online | |
|---|---|---|
| What they buy | Most genres | Everything |
| Average price | $0.50-3 per CD | $0.15-3 per CD |
| Vinyl records | Strong market | Standard prices |
CDs: compare local vs online. Compare CD prices →
Vinyl: Portland’s local shops are hard to beat. Compare vinyl prices →
Phones & Electronics
Local options in Portland:
- Best Buy (multiple Portland-area locations) - trade-in for phones, tablets, laptops
- ecoATM kiosks - Lloyd Center and other mall locations; instant cash for phones
- GameStop (multiple locations) - trades phones and gaming hardware
| Local | Online | |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | $170-210 (trade-in) | $200-260 (cash) |
| Payout | Instant | 1-3 business days |
Best price? Compare online. Compare phone prices →
Video Games
Local options in Portland:
- GameStop (multiple Portland locations)
- Retro Game Trader (multiple locations) - retro game specialist, buys old and new
- Guardian Games (inner SE) - board games, card games, and video games
| Local | Online | |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 game | $15-25 | $20-35 |
| Retro games | Strong local market | Standard prices |
Current games: online. Retro: check local shops. Compare game prices →
Portland’s Thrift Culture
Portland takes thrift shopping seriously. These are destinations, not last resorts:
- Goodwill - multiple locations, including the massive Goodwill Outlet (“the bins”) on SE 6th Ave where you pay by the pound
- William Temple House (NW Portland) - long-running thrift with good vintage finds
- Red White & Blue Thrift (SE) - massive warehouse-style thrift store
Nobody Buying? Donate
- Powell’s - accepts book donations for charity
- Friends of Multnomah County Library - accepts book donations for their annual sale
- Goodwill - locations across Portland
- Little Free Libraries - Portland has hundreds
How Online Selling Works in Portland
- Enter your item - ISBN, EAN or select your model
- Compare prices - All buyers at a glance
- Pack your box - From your apartment
- Drop it off - USPS, UPS, or FedEx nearby
Portland perk: No sales tax in Oregon means your online earnings go further.
College Semester Ending?
Portland State, Reed College, Lewis & Clark, University of Portland, and more. Textbook demand spikes at semester’s end.
Compare Prices Now
Frequently asked questions
Portland is one of the best US cities for selling locally. Powell's City of Books buys used books daily and pays fairly. Everyday Music and Jackpot Records buy CDs and vinyl. For everyday items though, online buyback still often pays more because of national competition.
Yes! Powell's buys used books every day at their Burnside location. Bring your books in and they'll make an offer - cash or store credit (store credit pays about 30-50% more). They're selective but take a wider range than most indie bookstores. Expect to wait during busy times.
It depends. Portland's local shops pay better than most US cities because the secondhand culture is so strong. For books, Powell's is competitive with online. For vinyl, local shops can beat online prices for desirable genres. For CDs and mainstream media, online still usually wins.
Portland has USPS post offices, UPS Stores, and FedEx locations throughout the city. Many Fred Meyer and Walgreens locations accept UPS packages too. The MAX light rail connects many shipping locations.
Donate! Powell's accepts book donations for their charity program. Goodwill has many Portland locations. Friends of the Multnomah County Library accepts book donations. Or use Portland's extensive network of Little Free Libraries.