Selling old furniture can be a hassle. It’s usually heavy and difficult to move. That doesn’t mean it’s not valuable. Assuming the piece is still in good condition, you can sell used furniture for cash and use the proceeds to supplement a new purchase or pad your savings.
This can include anything from your gently used couch to that end table that never seems to get used. A lot of people watch for furniture deals and don’t mind shopping used. This is where opportunity lies.
Heck, you don’t even need to replace a piece of furniture. Selling used furniture can also be a terrific way to make money on the side. Some people will buy used furniture, clean it up, and resell it for a profit.
If you’re looking for places to sell used furniture for cash, read on.
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Best Places to Sell Used Furniture for Cash
It’s easy to think the only option for used furniture is to throw it away or give it away for free. It may be easier, but furniture resale is profitable. Here is where to look to make money.
1. Consignment Stores
Do you often ask yourself ‘where can I sell used furniture near me?’ If so, a consignment store is often your best option.
Furniture consignment stores are similar to secondhand or thrift stores, only some of them buy used items from you to resell.
Consignment shops have regular turnover, providing increased opportunity to sell your furniture.
Some shops will buy the item from you for a flat rate, while others offer to display the item for a specific time frame and pay you a percentage of the sale price when it sells.
They may give you a few weeks to sell your item. or some may give you as long as 90 days. It all depends on the owner and their rules. Other resale shops may give you a percentage of the sale price.
Search for local shops in your area that may be interested in your furniture and gather quotes if you can before coming in.
2. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a terrific resource for people to purchase used or new items. The platform is a good option to sell used furniture online as well as one of the best selling apps as it’s free to use.
Furniture tends to sell well on the Marketplace. To sell your used furniture fast on Facebook Marketplace, include the following:
- Brand name
- Condition
- Good pictures
- Honest, detailed description
- Size and measurements
You will have to be near your phone or computer to answer people’s questions and arrange a pickup day and time. However, it’s worth it in order for you to secure the sale.
When you find a buyer, make sure they pay you in cash. The Facebook Marketplace may have other payment options, but it’s best and safest to only accept cash.
Sell Now3. Craigslist
Craigslist is one of the best choices to sell anything, including furniture. Millions of people use Craigslist, so it’s a terrific way to market your item to people for free. This is helpful, especially if you’re looking for local pickup on a sale.
When you create a listing, potential buyers can email questions to a temporary email address that is used to protect your personal email.
From there, you can answer their questions and arrange a pickup time and date if the buyer is ready to purchase the furniture from you.
Again, make sure to use good pictures and a thorough description. And, only accept cash for payments.
Sell Now4. Bonanza
Bonanza is an alternative to eBay that lets you create a storefront to sell your items. It’s not as difficult as it sounds, as they assist you, and it’s integrated with Google to increase visibility. Your listings can also appear on eBay or Etsy.
Not only can you sell used furniture on the site, but you can sell virtually anything else. Listing your items is free on Bonanza, and there is no cost to set up a storefront.
Fees to sell your items vary on the asking price and the advertising options you choose.
Sell Now5. Chairish
Do you have higher-end or vintage furniture to sell? If so, Chairish is a good resource to sell furniture. In addition to furniture, you can sell any of the following items on Chairish:
- Art
- Decor
- Lighting
- Mirrors
- Outdoor furniture
- Rugs
The items sold on Chairish are primarily antique so keep that in mind as you begin selling. Once an item sells on Chairish, the company is involved with the whole shipping process.
Chairish does charge a fee to sell, and has several plans to choose from. They charge either 20 percent of a sale, up to $2,500, or three to 12 percent for higher priced items.
Chairish will not pay you until a buyer receives their item and reviews it. They have two days to decide if they want to return something or not.
As long as you were accurate and honest in describing the item, you will be fine. The return rate with Chairish is only two percent compared to the industry average of ten percent, according to the site.
Sell Now6. Letgo
Letgo is a popular Craigslist competitor that lets users sell items locally with no listing fees. The site allows you to share up to ten photos of each item you want to sell.
Letgo organizes items by category, like a photo gallery. So, good pictures are essential for this site.
If you’re not sure on what price to sell an item, you can set it as “negotiable” to start. All communication is managed through the app, but it does not manage payments.
Similar to Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, you will need to arrange payment with the buyer.
Sell Now7. OfferUp
OfferUp is another free online classified site that lets you sell old furniture. The site operates much like Craigslist or Letgo, and allows you to sell items locally.
OfferUp allows users to sell other items, including:
- Appliances
- Cars
- Clothing
- Electronics
OfferUp provides a twist, allowing potential buyers to provide a counteroffer directly on the site. It also has a profile section where you can vet buyers and sellers before agreeing on a price.
OfferUp allows you to promote items for a certain timeframe. A typical amount three to seven days. If you use this feature, your listing stays within the top 50 of the search results of that specific item.
This allows more buyers to see your item, and cost depends on the value of the item.
OfferUp promotes local purchase transactions, but you can work with buyers to ship if they like your item(s).
Sell Now8. Sotheby’s Home
Sotheby’s Home, formerly known as Viyet, is a higher-end option to sell furniture online for cash. If you have designer, vintage, or items with valuations of at least $1,000, Sotheby’s Home is a suitable choice.
*Related: Want to sell your car via private party? Read our guide on how to sell your car on Craigslist quickly to learn how to get top dollar.*
The platform is more involved in the selling process, working to match items with prospective buyers. As a result, they actively promote your items through social media and email efforts.
Sotheby’s Home is not free to use. The platform charges 50 percent of the item sold if you sell 20 items or less. If you have more than 20 items, the fee is 40 percent.
This may seem steep, but if you have higher end items and want help selling, Sotheby’s Home can be a good option.
Sell Now9. AptDeco
Do you live in New York City or a surrounding area? Aptdeco is a good option to sell gently used furniture. You can also sell items if you live in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., or Boston.
You can list any of the following items on Aptdeco:
- Decor
- Furniture
- Lighting
- Rugs
The site specializes in name brand items from retailers like Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, and Restoration Hardware.
You can list your items for free on Aptdeco, but they charge a fee of 19 to 29 percent to sell your furniture. AptDeco has a curation team in place that will give you feedback on your listing if they feel it’s warranted.
Once a piece of furniture sells, you receive payment within five business days.
Sell Now10. Trove
Trove is a good platform to use to sell furniture, or even pieces of art if you have them. Listing your items is free, but the site does take a ten percent commission upon sale, which is relatively low in comparison to other options.
*Related: Sitting on an old cell phone? Read our guide on the best places to sell old cell phones for cash and turn it into found money.*
Trove also doesn’t limit you to just online sales. If the buyer lives nearby, you can sell within your town or surrounding area. Buyers can make counter offers, but you’re under no obligation to accept a rate lower than you want.
One bonus is you can accept credit cards for payment, though you must pay the credit card fees upon sale.
You don’t need to exchange personal contact information, because you can chat with one another right in the app.
Sell Now11. 1stdibs
The final option to sell second-hand furniture is 1stdibs. You can sell items besides furniture on 1stdibs including:
- Antiques
- Art
- Fashion
- Jewelry
The company specializes in connecting sellers with dealers and collectors, making it one of the best online antique marketplaces.
You have access to an account manager that helps simplify the process of listing and selling. Sellers do have to go through an application process with 1stdibs.
Listing your items is free on 1stdibs, and they charge a commission of up to 15 percent to sell your items.
If you live in New York City, the company has a showroom offering displays from various gently-used designer items.
Sell NowSelling Used Furniture Online vs. Locally
As you can see, there are plenty of choices to sell used furniture – both online and locally.
A simple internet search for “sell used furniture near me” will return a plethora of local choices. These include consignment stores and resale shops.
Don’t limit yourself to these options. They may work for some larger pieces, or those you want to quickly flip. However, there are lots of choices to sell used furniture online for cash.
This allows you to broaden your sales reach and increase your chance of making good money.
What is the best site to sell used furniture?
Unless you’re selling a vintage item, Craigslist is the best website to sell used furniture. Millions of people use the platform daily, and there is no transaction fee to sell items. If you want to sell furniture locally, Craigslist is often your best choice.
How can I sell all my furniture at once?
Are you moving cross country, or need to sell furniture from a deceased family member? You may want to sell all of your furniture at once. Garage sales or estate sales are a good option, but you can also consider a junk hauler or showroom buyer to ease the process.
Just remember to be honest about the condition of the furniture and be willing to negotiate with them on price.
How can I sell my furniture online safely?
Selling anything requiring meeting an individual requires safety. That includes selling furniture. If possible, ask to meet the person in a public place. If that’s not possible, make sure you have multiple people at home during the sale.
Don’t accept anything other than cash, and don’t give out any banking information. If it doesn’t feel right, move to the next buyer.
What type of furniture sells the most?
Not all pieces of furniture are equal. You can move some pieces fast, especially if they’re in good condition. Here are some of the best selling used furniture pieces:
- Living room furniture such as couches, end tables, and TV stands
- Bedroom furniture such as chest of drawers and beds
- Dining room furniture such as tables and chairs
- Hallway furniture such as a coat rack
If you have any of these items for sale it’s likely you can turn them around quickly for cash.
Top Tips to Maximize Earnings
You obviously want to receive the most money for any item you sell. By following a few simple practices you can increase earnings. Below are a few of the best ways to maximize your return.
Take Good Pictures
Good, clear pictures are essential to selling your furniture fast. They don’t have to be taken by a professional, but they must look good.
A clear picture is the best way to put your piece of furniture in the best light possible. It also ensures a quick sale.
Without good visuals, buyers are left guessing about the quality of the piece and more apt to move on.
Be Willing to Negotiate
Negotiation is key when trying to sell used furniture. Leave some wiggle room in your asking price to guarantee a quick sale.
You may not always get the price you want, but it’s better to receive 90 percent of your asking price than nothing at all.
List on Multiple Platforms
There are multiple free options to sell used furniture online and locally. Take advantage of as many free options as possible to ensure a quick sale.
Not everyone uses the same platform, so listing on multiple sites results in more eyes to your future.
Have A Good Description
A good description is second only to a clear picture when trying to sell used furniture fast. This is your opportunity to truly highlight the value of the item.
Put yourself in the shoes of the prospective buyer. Consider what you would like to know about the item. List the name brand, how long you’ve owned it, and mention some ways to use it.
Summary
There’s no reason to let bulky furniture you no longer use take up space in your home. Instead of tossing it to the curb or dropping it off at a donation center, you can sell used furniture online with any of these sites.
Furniture that is in decent condition usually sells well and the more you sell, the more you can earn. Plus, you’ll declutter your home and add extra money to your budget.
What is your favorite way to sell used items? What process do you follow to maximize your earnings?
Choncé is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), personal finance freelance writer, and blogger who focuses on helping others manage their money better in order to live a life with more possibilities and fewer limitations. Her work has been featured on Business Insider, LendingTree, Credit Sesame, and Barclaycard.
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