# What's a good way to sell used furniture? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 4, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850 "2016-12-04T19:43:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/1 "2016-12-04T19:43:47Z")
Other than Craigslist? Someplace I can take the stuff, or call somebody to haul it away for resale? Making a dollar or two is the goal. **BTW–I live in a one bedroom condo, so I can’t just store it.** Solutions must reflect this. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/2 "2016-12-04T19:55:47Z")
If it’s desirable furniture, there are consignment galleries around. Selling them on eBay is another idea. You just specify that the buyer comes and gets it. I’ve sold stuff like that on eBay before. You might be able to donate it for a tax deduction, depending on your finances. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/3 "2016-12-04T19:59:21Z")
Do you have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in your area? You could donate it and get a tax deduction. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/4 "2016-12-04T20:07:57Z")
Talk to your friends and acquaintances. You might be surprised at who might want this or that item. If that fails, I would recommend a furniture consignment if you need the money, or a charitable organization if you don’t, because they will come and get it and you don’t have to worry about safety issues. I had an extra bed that was just taking up space in my apartment, so when a local organization said they were needing beds, I called them and two men showed up a day or two later and hauled it away. 🆒 They even gave me a $150 tax receipt. An auction house may be helpful, but you may have to wait quite a while for your money. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/5 "2016-12-04T20:34:28Z")
What kind of furniture is it? How old? What is the quality? What was it worth when you bought it? Except for high quality fine furniture most stuff has very little value. Take a look at what it would cost to replace it from the big box stores, you’ll be lucky to get a quarter of that. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/6 "2016-12-04T20:41:46Z")
The options vary with the type of area you live in: central city, suburban, rural, etc. An option might be a weekly consignment auction. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/7 "2016-12-04T21:04:27Z")
My cousin moved to Europe and was able to sell her furniture very quickly using the Offerup app. It’s like Craigslist was before all the jerks. [https://offerupnow.com/](https://offerupnow.com/) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/8 "2016-12-04T21:16:40Z")
Bedbugs, fleas and other critters have made buying used furniture less desirable. That may impact any sales the OP hopes to make. Be sure the ad indicates the furniture is clean and like new. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/9 "2016-12-04T22:27:39Z")
A good description with a couple of photos, and clear purchase/pickup policies, should work fine even on Craigslist. It’s the one rambling paragraph that fails to answer most questions and has one bad photo or none that gets the crap responses. A simple “No, I won’t just call you, so don’t send your cell number” helps. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/10 "2016-12-04T23:00:35Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > A good description with a couple of photos, and clear purchase/pickup policies, should work fine even on Craigslist. I got the impression the OP simply didn’t want to deal with multiple people messaging, calling, visiting. OP: please clarify. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/11 "2016-12-04T23:17:10Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > What kind of furniture is it? How old? What is the quality? What was it worth when you bought it? > > Except for high quality fine furniture most stuff has very little value. Take a look at what it would cost to replace it from the big box stores, you’ll be lucky to get a quarter of that. If it’s high quality stuff in very good condition you might get a few bucks for it otherwise you’re better off just giving it away as trip to the dump will cost you more than you will get in many cases for stuff with wear. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/12 "2016-12-04T23:48:35Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > I got the impression the OP simply didn’t want to deal with multiple people messaging, calling, visiting. OP: please clarify. Well, if there’s a way to find the _one_ person who might want the item at the price you’re asking, I’m not sure how to find them. 🙂 “Fred? Fred Gopinsky? You don’t know me but I have the mahogany bombe chest with brass handles you’ve been thinking about. It’s at the upper end of your budget but it’s as nice as you’ve been dreaming about. Come get it tomorrow at 2. …me? Name’s Bester. Al Bester.” ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/13 "2016-12-04T23:54:26Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > A good description with a couple of photos, and clear purchase/pickup policies, should work fine even on Craigslist. It’s the one rambling paragraph that fails to answer most questions and has one bad photo or none that gets the crap responses. > > A simple “No, I won’t just call you, so don’t send your cell number” helps. > [@PastTense](#): > > I got the impression the OP simply didn’t want to deal with multiple people messaging, calling, visiting. OP: please clarify. **PastTense** you are spot-on. I’m looking to replace some furniture soon, & lack the space to keep extra furniture. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2016, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/14 "2016-12-05T00:34:17Z")
In some communities, there are regular weekly auctions of household goods - their bread and butter are estates. If your stuff is of considerable value, they will take it all (don’t expect them to send a truck for a crapped-out bed and a sofa that the cats have been using as a scratching post). A 1 bedroom is going to be about minimum of “enough to be of interest” if you say “Everything goes”. A consignment shop is going to be more selective - they have to house the stuff until it sells - and they want to make a real good profit because they are NOT a high-turnover operation. Aside from charities, the only other “send a truck and take it all” are “Thrift” stores. Don’t expect more than a token payment from these. Aside from price, these have the same problem as consignment shops. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2016, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/15 "2016-12-05T08:08:54Z")
Wanting to sell something but not wanting to make any effort…good luck with that. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/16 "2016-12-05T17:44:22Z")
I had very good luck with Craigslist. I sold a house full of couple year old fairly expensive furniture for about 1/3rd of what I paid for most items. Most items went to the first or second person to see them. I wrote thorough accurate descriptions, took several pictures and quoted both the new and asking prices. With receipts. When folks wrote back I ignored the illiterates and called the others back promptly. If they were businesslike I was on them to come right over. If they were vague flakes I was too busy to see them until next week. Worked good. If you can define losing 2/3rds of a shitload of money as “good”. Logistically it was easy & efficient. This was in the suburban Midwest. I hear that down here in FL the whole thing would have been a fiasco with flakes and druggies as the only possible customers. IOW, Craigslist has a local personality. Only the OP knows his local area. If the OP has well-worn stuff made of particle board covered in woodgrain contact paper then Goodwill might take it with no effort on your part. Even a dumpster needs you to carry it out there. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-way-to-sell-used-furniture/773850/17 "2016-12-05T17:51:33Z")
If you have a yard and there are no regulations to prohibit it, a yard sale is a good way to sell used furniture (especially desks, bookcases etc. which are not upholstered). I still have fond memories of getting decent $$ for a cheap pressed fiberboard dresser at a garage sale. There is also the old-fashioned method of posting a flyer on message boards at supermarkets, churches etc.