This post was contributed to Leisure Freak by antique furniture enthusiast Robert Plane.
So, you’ve been thinking about downsizing lately? You still haven’t figured out what to do with some of your old furniture? Since you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve decided to sell it. We know it’s not the easiest thing to do. Saying goodbye to pieces of furniture that have been in your home for god knows how long is never easy. Still, we’re going to help you get the best offer. In the article below, you’ll find some tips on how to sell your old furniture for the best price. Stick around for some helpful info.
How to determine value?
Since you’re probably new to selling old furniture, here we’ll try to show you how to determine the value of your possessions. First and foremost, see what you already know about the item you’re planning to sell. Here are some questions you might need answers to: Was it made by a famous manufacturer? How old is it? What’s the current shape of it? If you lack answers here, you might want to consult an expert antique dealer. You might want to get a quote from a couple of them. Also, check the online market for similar items and see how they’re priced. Now, your furniture doesn’t have to be antique-kind-of-old to sell it for a good price.
Try to be realistic
While determining the price before putting your item(s) on the market, try to be realistic. What do we exactly mean by that? Well, imagine you have a wardrobe that once belonged to your grandmother’s mother. You don’t want to underprice it, right? Since you’re emotionally attached to it, there’s a chance that you’ll overprice it so much no one will want to buy it. Keep in mind that the potential buyers don’t have that kind of bond with the objects you’re trying to sell. The best price is the one you can achieve by never going too low or too high. Finding something in-between is, as always, the best option there is. On the other side, being a bit more optimistic won’t hurt, not just when selling furniture. Find the balance!
Where to sell? (the price depends on the place)
When wondering how to sell your old furniture for the best price, it’s crucial to figure out where you will sell it. Here we’ll show you a couple of options when it comes to choosing the place where you’re going to sell your stuff.
Organize a good old yard sale (offline mode #1)
Now there’s a picture pretty much branded into our brains. Nothing like a good old yard sale! Raymond Carver covered it in his stories and poems, so it’s pretty safe to say that yard sales scream Americana more than anything else! If you have a lot of furniture to sell and some time on your hands, you might want to try this option. Maybe you’re a natural bargainer, and this option might help you get the best price.
Contact a consignment store (offline mode #2)
If you’re a bit short on time, this might be the best option. Contact a consignment store and see if they can send someone over to check your stuff. Please note that you probably won’t get a good offer since they plan to profit from selling your furniture later on. As we’ve mentioned, this comes in handy if you want to save on time.
Put in on the web
If you’re putting your items on the web, uploading quality photos is a must. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and imagine what you’d think if someone didn’t include the images in the ad. Also, try not to provide false information. Be honest with the buyer about every little thing that might need some repairing. Buyers know how to recognize fraud nowadays, and they’re more likely to buy an item that seems believable.
Preparing your items for shipment
Imagine someone bought the king-sized bed you put up for sale a couple of days ago. The buyer is not from your town and says they will organize the shipment; you just need to pack it the right way to avoid getting damaged during the transport. Don’t worry; we’ll tell you how to prepare it with ease. It’s very simple: first of all, clean it like a pro. Secondly, see if you can dismantle it into parts and wrap everything in bubble wrap and plastic sheets. If the bed goes as a whole, put a blanket underneath it and carry it safely to the truck.
Learn some negotiating skills
Now, this is something that comes naturally to some people. We all have that one friend that’s a great bargainer. Let’s assume you’re not so good at it. The first rule of the process is: try not to lose your cool. Always know you have the option to turn down any offer you find unjust. By being honest with yourself, you’ll seem more confident to the buyers. As we’ve mentioned before, be reasonable when naming the price. That way, you’ll probably earn the trust of your buyers, and there won’t be any need for some serious haggling. Still, it would help to be well-prepared for the ordeal.
Final words
Those were some tips on how to sell your old furniture for the best price. We’re sure that by following the simple tips we’ve mentioned above, you’re bound to get the best offer for your old pieces. Put some of your natural trading skills into action! Most folks have them; they just don’t use them!
Much thanks to Robert Plane for contributing this timely article to Leisure Freak. There’s no time like the present to find ways to downsize, pickup some needed cash, and at the same time put unused or unneeded furniture into the hands of those who can use it.
Author’s bio:
Robert Plane is an antique furniture enthusiast with an almost religious approach to indie video games and 80’s VHS culture. A weird combination, but one that works.