Let’s face it, whether you’re moving into a new place or just redecorating your current home, the last thing you’ll want to worry about is having to sell your furniture. On the other hand, there’s an opportunity to make money while decluttering your home!
To help you out, we’ve come up with a simple list of quick and effective strategies that will teach you how to sell used furniture online fast — and for the most money:
1. Determine the condition of your furniture
The first thing you should do is to take a look at the condition of your item. Does it have blemishes? Is it in good shape? Does it have any useful life left?
These are some the questions you should objectively ask yourself while reviewing your furniture. You may love your item, but it’s important to consider whether it’d also be desirable to someone else.
2. Consider your timing
Most people don’t know that timing plays a huge role in the process of selling your furniture. If you need to sell your furniture right away, it’s recommended to lower the price of your item. This increases the chances of selling your item much faster (hint: people are always looking for deals).
On the other hand, if you’re not in a rush, you can offer your item for a higher price and take it from there. The right buyer will appear!
Another interesting fact about timing is that furniture market trends are similar to those of real estate. People tend to start selling their furniture during summer because it’s a desirable time to move into a new home.
3. Determine the value of your furniture
When thinking about pricing your item, consider its characteristics: age, condition, brand, and of course, your time of sale. We generally encourage sellers to list used furniture at about 20 – 50% of the original retail price since furniture is very much like any other depreciable asset.
One exception: pieces that are part of a unique or special collection because they tend to lose value once they’re taken from their retail location.
If you’re still not sure how to price your furniture, try using our Furniture Calculator. It estimates the value of your furniture based on its details.
4. Check your competition
If you’re selling in a well-balanced marketplace like AptDeco, search for pieces that resemble your item in style, condition, brand, and age. Then figure out how you can improve your item to make sure it’s more competitive and attractive than the rest. This will also help you define the right price for your item.
Remember: This is a game of supply and demand.
5. Take great pictures of your furniture
We’ve seen thousands of furniture listings on our site, so take it from us: pictures do matter.
Now, when we say “pictures,” we’re not just making reference to stock photos. We’re actually talking about real-life images that show the actual conditions of your item.
Keep in mind that people buying furniture online are making decisions without seeing the item in person, and thus it’s important to provide a full glimpse of the piece to help them make informed decisions about their purchase.
Not an expert in photography?
No problem!
Follow these four easy tips to help make your furniture look picture perfect and command the highest price possible:
- Clean your furniture before you photograph it.
- Remove any clutter, such as pillows, throws, cups, and books
- Take photos during prime daylight hours.
- Take eye-level pictures of your furniture’s front, back, and sides.
6. Tell your furniture’s story
This is your moment. Be creative with your sales pitch. Make your listing rich with details.
Think of all the things that are important to you when you’re buying furniture: color, dimensions, brand, style, materials, etc. All those things are also key drivers for buyers of used furniture.
Was your item made by a popular brand like CB2, West Elm, or Room & Board? Or was it made by a local craft maker with a unique story? Include those details as some shoppers may prefer one manufacturer over the other.
Is your item an antique or a high-value piece? Share a proof of authenticity like a photo of the furniture’s label or your purchase receipt.
By following the above tips, you will accomplish these three things all at once:
- Reduce the number of questions that shoppers ask you.
- Make your furniture look more irresistible to shoppers.
- Increase your furniture’s perceived value so you can sell it for a higher price.
7. Be honest about your furniture’s condition
It’s normal for furniture to suffer a bit of damage with use. You know this, we know this, and buyers know this. Feel free to share some details and pictures of any damages, such as stains, tears, chips, scratches, and dents.
Buyers like to know exactly what they’re getting beforehand. They don’t mind damage as long as you’re upfront about it. Keep in mind that the used furniture market is a sharing economy that depends on trust. This is what really motivates people to buy furniture from someone they’ve never met.
8. Be proactive
Lastly, make sure to step up your game and share your listing in a marketplace like AptDeco. We’ll help you promote your item to our community, take care of pickup and delivery, and make sure you earn the most money from your furniture.
This article was written by AptDeco, an online marketplace for quality pre-owned furniture. With a verified community of buyers and sellers and pre-arranged pick-up and delivery, AptDeco is a simple and reliable way to buy and sell furniture without the hassle.
