5 Best Places to Sell Old Glasses for Maximum Profit

man with glasses smiling into camera
Jen Graudenz

Hi, I'm Jen! I'm a personal finance expert and money coach aiming to help you take control of your money. I went from being broke to a six-figure net worth and am now on track to be financially independent at age 40. Discover Jen's story

Do you wonder what to do with your old eyewear? If your used glasses are in good condition, they are good for more than a journey to the landfill. Throwing away unwanted glasses means missing out on extra cash.

I’ve been wearing glasses since I was a child. My prescription changes frequently, so I need to buy new glasses often. I quickly learned to minimise the cost by selling my old eyewear. Below are the sites I like the most.

💡 Quick Answer: Sell Old Glasses

The best places to sell old glasses include eBay, Depop, and Etsy. You can also ask your optician if they have a recycling scheme that offers discounts.

1. eBay

Glasses on sale on eBay

eBay is probably the most well-known re-selling platform. You can practically sell anything on eBay, including selling old CDs. You can also find glasses among clothes, technology, and random stuff.

Select “glasses frames” when creating a new listing to sell glasses on eBay. You can select a match if the frame you want to sell is already on the platform. If it is not, you can create a new entry.

While eBay is a great place to sell eyewear quickly, you will likely not make much money. eBay is best for cheap and standard glasses. You should also choose the cheapest way to send eBay parcels.

✅ Pros❌ Cons
Wide audienceMay not earn much
Auctions take seven days
Pros and cons of selling glasses on eBay.

How to Sell on eBay

2. Depop

Glasses for sale on Depop

Depop is another excellent place to sell old glasses. Depop is a social e-commerce platform that works similarly to eBay. It does not have an auction function. Instead, you choose the sale price.

Depop focuses on a younger audience with its social media-like site design. It is a great place to sell fashionable glasses at a reasonable price.

✅ Pros❌ Cons
Great for fashionable frames
Can connect with potential buyers
Set your own sale price
Smaller audience
Pros and cons of selling glasses on Depop.

3. Preloved

Glasses for sale on Preloved

Preloved is a classified advertising website. It is also one of the best places to sell clothes for cash. With Preloved, there is no shipping. Instead, you sell items locally, and the buyer collects them.

Glasses may be tricky to ship since they break easily. This makes Preloved a great option as you don’t have this risk. The basic membership of Preloved is also free. You do not need to pay any commission or fees when you sell on Preloved.

✅ Pros❌ Cons
Great for vintage frames
No need to ship your glasses
Free to use
Smaller audience
Pros and cons of selling glasses on Preloved.

4. Etsy

Glasses for sale on etsy

Etsy is a website to sell handmade items. If you are creative and gifted in DIY, you can transform your old glasses into unique items. For example, old glasses are perfect for costume parties or cosplay. You could also turn them into a mask.

This requires a bit of work, but you can ask for more money in return. You may also find satisfaction in knowing your glasses have become unique frames.

✅ Pros❌ Cons
Great earning potentialYou will need some creativity
Standard glasses likely won’t sell
Pros and cons of selling glasses on Etsy.

5. Opticians

Offer to trade in glasses by optician

Opticians may run promotions or schemes to replace your old glasses. In return, you get a discount if you buy a new frame. While this is not selling your frames, it is a way to get money from them. Not all opticians run these schemes, but it is worth asking.

✅ Pros❌ Cons
No need to worry about shipping
Convenient and little effort
You won’t get money
Pros and cons of trading in your old glasses

Alternatives to Selling Your Old Glasses

1. Donate Old Glasses to Charity

If you do not want the hassle of selling, you can give your glasses to charity. Several charities give your glasses to people in need.

This could be either in the UK or in a developing country. One of those charities is Lions Club. They collect unwanted or damaged spectacles throughout the UK. After examination, clinics in Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Nigeria, and Nepal receive your old frames.

2. Reglaze Used Eyewear

You do not have to buy new glasses every time your prescription changes. When you get new lenses, you can ask your optician to reglaze your glasses.

Reglazing means you do not have the expense of buying new glasses. A good strategy is to own at least two pairs of glasses. When one pair is being reglazed, you can wear the other. If your frames have minor damage, opticians can often repair them.

3. Recycle Old Frames

If you want to get rid of your old glasses, don’t throw them into the bin. You can recycle your old frames and give them a new life. You can find recycling boxes in all optical stores in the UK. If unsure, you can ask your optician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Buys Old Spectacles?

People who want cheap glasses buy old spectacles. Other people interested in old frames include those working in arts and crafts.

Are Old Glasses Worth Anything?

Yes, old glasses still have worth. You may not be able to sell them for the full sale price. But you should still get some money for old frames in good condition. Used designer glasses frames sell particularly well.

Can I Trade in My Old Glasses?

You can often trade in your old glasses. You can check with local options if they have a trade-in scheme. There are also several online opticians you can send your glasses to.

Can You Sell Old Prescription Glasses?

Yes, you can sell old prescription glasses. Buyers are primarily interested in the frames and will remove the lenses. This is because the glasses are customised to your eyes. They may not fit anyone else.

Can You Sell Contact Lenses?

No, you can’t sell contact lenses. Selling contact lenses as a private person is against the law (Opticians Act 1989). If you have old contact lenses, speak to your optician. Perhaps your optician may accept them for a discount on your new lenses. At least they can dispose of them for you.

Best Places to Sell Old Glasses

The best places to sell old glasses include:

  • eBay
  • Depop
  • Preloved
  • Etsy
  • Your Optician

If you are looking for alternative ways to put your old glasses to use, donate them to charity. Reglazing is another good option to keep your frames.

If you like this post, please help My Money Yard grow by sharing it with your friends.

Jen's signature
Scroll to Top