Selling used furniture, a great way to recycle!

Posted on | March 1, 2010 | 3 Comments

Create a fresh look by getting rid of the old furniture and bringing new (or new-to-you) furniture.  It is easy to sell used furniture, just put a price on, advertise it, and help the new owners load it.

The first step is to decide what you want to move from your space.  Is it the living room suite, that dresser stored in the garage, the toddler’s bed, or almost everything?

Next, look, really look at the pieces.  Are they antique?  Do they have high value?  Do they go together?  Are they the early Salvation Army style, assembled by use and price?

More important, are they in fair or good shape?  Is there a little something you could easily do to make them more attractive?  You know that when you sell your car, you wash and clean the car.  It is the same thing with the furniture, dust it off, polish it up, vacuum the sofa, and make it as clean and attractive as you can.

Even if the items are well-used, price them low and someone may take them home to repair, paint, or recycle to a new use.

Research the price of the pieces you have.  Just go through a used furniture store, check a thrift store, have someone from a consignment shop come by, or call an antique dealer to appraise your furniture.  Then decide what price you want for each piece or as a unit.

Advertising is the most important step when selling used furniture.  A garage sale creates interest, if you want to have one.  Ads for the items can place on free sites on the Internet, in local give-away newspapers, and on bulletin boards at various locations.  Remember, a photo is worth a thousand words and makes people stop and look.

Buyers are looking for people selling used furniture.  Buyers know their money will buy more at a garage sale or from you.  Buyers may haggle over the price or ask for something else to be included.  Be ready for this.  It is easy to come down a few dollars or offer another item to be included instead of the requested piece.  Remember, the purpose is to have the furniture go to a new home and give you space for something different.

After you collect the money, help the new owners load their prizes, the recycled furniture, and wave good-bye.

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