You want *what* for that?

I am currently looking for a used futon to buy, as a result of a very long and convoluted story. So, I started asking around for them - I’m about to graduate, plus it’s college moving time. Finding a used futon isn’t that tough; it’s pretty much a buyer’s market at this time of the year.

An acquaintance of mine offered me her futon. And it really does sound like a very nice, high quality futon. She bought it for $500 four years ago.

So, I offered to move it - I’ll have a truck for one day, a rarity around here. We started talking prices. Given the market, I’m not really willing to go much above 100 for a used futon - I’ve had a half dozen offers from other classmates for about that much already. Plus, looking on craigslist - there are at least twenty ads for used futons with the upper end prices around $125.

She wants between $300-350 for this thing. A four year old, used futon. I am mildly shocked. This seems terribly high to me. But maybe I’m wildly undervaluing her futon. I really didn’t think used furniture kept its value like that. Am I wrong?

I think I paid $200 for my college futon back in 2001. It was brand new and was considered the basic model.

If she paid $500 it likely is quite a bit nicer than the ones you’re being offered for $100.

If it was $500 new it’s not worth more than $200 used, especially since you are known to her (not a random stranger) and can haul it away.

She’s relying on the idea that you are too polite to say, no thanks, and walk away. Or she thinks that stuff she owns doesn’t depreciate in value the way it does for mortals.

I’ve encountered people like this. They would never buy anything used themselves so they don’t understand that the used market is always a buyer’s market, and today more than ever.

Tell her you’ll give her $150 for it. Otherwise buy one of those high-end ones online for $125.

I’m not saying it’s not nicer - in fact, I’m certain it’s nicer. But $250 nicer? Really? After four years of heavy use? I would have thought it would be worth at least half of what she paid for it.

There are a number of people in my class that come from very well off backgrounds (as in - able to plunk down 40k in tuition out of pocket without blinking) . I wouldn’t be surprised if she falls into this category. I’ve had people offer to sell me temporary storage space in their basement for rates higher than professional storage companies in the past.

I didn’t say that. I’m just saying that the futon you buy from her may be nicer than the futon you can find on Craigslist for $100. So adjust your bargaining numbers accordingly.

I would think free or $50 to be more of the going rate for a Futon. I can’t even imagine what a $500 futon would be like.

Unless it’s so high end it’s virtually collectible furniture does not hold value that well although lots of people think it does until they go to sell it. I overpaid wildly for a POS used set when I was younger.

Any reasonable offer at this point is likely to be an insult. Politely tell her your needs have changed and you no longer need it then look elsewhere.

Based on my experience with a futon, I wouldn’t buy a used one. It worked okay for 3-4 years, at which point it stopped actually being a surface you could sleep on.

They DO wear out, ya know.

The best sleep of my life was had during the first week on the bed that replaced it.

No, you’re not wrong. A mattress or futon, in particular, will lose its value even more quickly. Tell her that you are not willing to spend that much on a used futon when (furniture store) has new futons for (sale price). Even if her futon is top of the line…used is used. The padding breaks down, the fabric wears out, it just deteriorates. Wish her luck in finding a sucker…er, buyer, and buy a new one, or find a used one that’s priced more reasonably.

I read an article lately suggesting that the used furniture market is completely oversaturated now and prices are lower than they have been, people trying to get a little extra cash or moving to a smaller place. A look at my local craigslist seems to confirm this… there are some damned deals out there.

So this is the wrong time for her to be trying to squeeze cash out of you.

If she’s never tried to buy a used futon herself, she may not have any idea what the market rate is. And she just may be one of those people who feels that their stuff should be worth more because they a) took really good care of it b) spent a lot for it to begin with and by gum, I’m going to get some money back outta this thing or c) feels that by virtue of it having been owned by her, it is simply worth more.

This lady has obviously never tried to move a futon.

They are not quite couches, which are in a rigid L-shape and flow easily up/down stairs and through doorways. They are also not quite mattresses or box springs, which can stand upright on their own.

Instead they are heavy (wooden) or flimsy (metal) frames which go from being L-shaped to flat on a whim - such as while you are trying to go around a corner or up the basement steps. The mattresses are big floppy affairs, and the more expensive they are the more unwieldy they are.

I’ve had to move two futons out of basements in my time - those heavy wooden ones with the blasted heavy mattresses. Probably along the lines of what this lady has.

Just being able to move one of those things successfully out of a house is worth about $50-100 for the movers. So screw this “deal” if you have to move it yourself. Save the toil and trouble and buy a new one and have it delivered.