Tips for Selling Your Used Furniture Online Before a Move

Published: October 20, 2017

When moving from one home to another, we don’t always want to relocate every piece of furniture we’ve accumulated over the years. Whether you want to change up the design of your new home or simply don’t have room for that loveseat or extra dresser, there are many ways to sell used furniture online. Follow UNITS tips to quickly sell your old furniture online before your move:

Don’t settle for sub-par pictures

Sure, you might be able to find a buyer with a grainy photo taken in your garage, but you’ll have much better luck getting your asking price if you put some extra effort into the photos of your used furniture. Similar to staging a home, buyers want to imagine how the item you’re selling will fit into their homes and lives. Place the piece of furniture in a room with abundant natural lighting. Snap a few pictures of the item from about five feet away. Next, take some close-up shots of the material and detail. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Write a helpful description

You don’t have to be a marketing guru to write a good description when selling your furniture online. Be short, sweet and to the point. Mention the material the furniture is made out of and include measurements so buyers will know if the item will fit in their home before they drive to see it. If you have an SUV or pickup truck and are willing to deliver the furniture to a buyer, be sure to mention that in the listing description. For people with allergies, mention if the home has cats or dogs. Lastly, tell buyers how you prefer to be contacted and your general location.

Be upfront with any issues

Honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to selling furniture online. If your loveseat has some tears in the fabric, be sure to mention that in the listing and include a photo of the damage. If your mid-century coffee table has a large scratch on the top, you’d be better off adding that into the description. Buyers won’t be happy if they feel like you tried to con them into buying something that is damaged, but most people understand that used furniture isn’t going to pristine.

Be fair with pricing

Research the price of similar items being sold on Craigslist. Depending on the condition of your furniture, these should serve as an accurate estimate of how much you can get. If you notice that there’s a high demand for the item you’re selling, you may be able to nudge the price up. However, be prepared for interested buyers to bargain with you on the cost. Reference this guide for Craigslist negotiating to get an idea of what interested buyers might say.

Don’t limit yourself to selling online

While there are many websites for selling used furniture online, there are also local options you might be unaware of. See if there is a neighborhood Facebook group where residents post items for sale. Call up local consignment shops if you have some higher-end furniture you’re wanting to unload. If you’re not having any luck finding a buyer for some of your used furniture as your move approaches, consider donating it to Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity. You might not make fast cash, but you can often write off the donation in your taxes.

For all your other furniture and household items you plan on moving with you, UNITS has you covered. Get a free quote now on our hassle-free moving containers!