Not sure if this is better suited for IMHO, but I believe there is a factual answer.
If I buy a new sofa, will the furniture company haul away the old when they deliver the new?
Some would be willing to, some might advertise it as a sales gimmick. Some might be willing to in exchange for a fee. Others will not be willing to whatsoever and you would have to arrange for a special pickup with your local trash company (many do this), and if that isn’t possible you will have to transport it yourself to a dump, give it away via Craigslist or similar, or hire a third party to remove it for you–or illegally burn it.
If it’s serviceable, there is likely a charity such as Big Brothers or the Sallies who will come and get it for free.
There was a time when they used to haul it away for free, but my last two big purchases of furniture, they would charge you for it. It was easier to toss it.
The GQ answer is, “it depends.”
There are companies that make a sales point out of hauling away your old furniture – the service distinguishes them from their competitors. Others don’t do it at all. In my experience, most of them do it for a fee, which ranges from nominal to ridiculous.
Cool. I’m willing to pay a fee. It is just easier to have them do it than to try and do it myself.
The salvation army will come to your house and take it away., and you can schedule a pickup online or by phone.
Even if the retailer doesn’t offer it as a formal service, you might be able to pay the delivery guys a few bucks to have them haul the old stuff out of your house and set it on the curb. Doesn’t solve the entire problem, but it gets the furniture to the point where you can have it hauled off by your garbage company.
Not in my town, they won’t. Goodwill, the SA and all the other pick-up charities announced a moritorium on sofas a few years ago. A lot of them switched to one-person crews on their trucks, and won’t pick up anything over 50 pounds.
If the guys will get it to the curb, you can freecycle it. Someone would be happy to come and score furniture if it isn’t all thrashed out and bedbuggy…
And at least where I live if you can get it out of your house the rag and bone men will do the rest! Don’t do it in the rain, of course.
Definitely don’t pay anyone to take it off your hands. Freecycle it. Best way I have found to get rid of large bulky unwanted things. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.