hmm, it's a good question about resale, but I'm gonna say "not really". You can expect almost all used ukes to resell for at least 25% less than new. Some more.
I don't know of any sites the take trade ins. But trades do happen in the Marketplace here.
Best sites to sell are here and Flea Market Music. Then reverb.com. eBay as a last resort
OP asked about the best sites to *sell* a uke. As you say, eBay can have some good deals for a buyer, but sucks for the seller as they take 10% in addition to paypal so could be 14-15%. Although, looking today, it looks like eBay is not as bad as it used to be for musical instruments - probably to compete with reverb.com which is more like 6% total. Still if you can find a buyer here or at FMM, you just have to pay PayPal, or you can side-step that with something like a postal money order.I've gotten some very good deals on Magic Fluke instruments on eBay.
Do any brands hold their resale values better than others? Also do any sites take trade ins? Or if not what are the best sites to sell a used ukulele? Thanks
I always speak to the potential buyers over the phone rather than only texting or email.
Why is that? Are texts and emails more often from scammers or maybe lowballers, or is it another reason?
UU best
Craigslist next
Reverb next
eBay last
At the start of COVID, I sold an Ohana tenor on CL. We met at a local store parking lot in my town. When she arrived, I was amazed she drove over 3 hours, to buy a $150.00 used uke. Amazing!
It's not scammers as much as flakes. I've found email is the worst; lots of people just don't show up. A regular phone call, followed by texting the meeting location help immensely in this department.
But craigslist is slowly dying.