The best places for collection sales
DoneDeal
Ireland’s biggest classifieds site, with buyers in every county. A basic ad is free in the main household sections, such as House & DIY, and you can pay for a package with bumps or a spotlight if you want more views. It’s especially good for furniture, garden and outdoor things, tools and sports gear.
Facebook Marketplace
It’s free for local collection, and lots of people looking for second-hand furniture near them start here. Buyers can message you straight away, so expect quick questions about size and condition.
Adverts.ie
A long-running Irish classifieds site that reaches buyers who aren’t on Facebook. General items for sale are free to list; motor, farming, services, jobs and shop ads pay fees.
eBay.ie, with collection
You can offer collection on eBay.ie, and the buyer pays through eBay, so you aren’t handling cash. But private sellers pay about 11% of the sale, which on a €150 piece is €17.50. See the eBay fee calculator.
Write a listing that sells
- Give the measurements. Height, width and depth, and for sofas the seat height. Most furniture questions are about whether it will fit.
- Photograph it in daylight from several angles, including any marks or wear.
- Say how it can be collected. Mention stairs, whether it comes apart, and whether you can help carry it.
- Price to go. Check what similar pieces near you are listed at. A quick sale is often worth a lower price.
Stay safe on collection
- Have someone else at home when a buyer comes.
- If you take a bank transfer or a Revolut payment, check it has arrived in your banking app before the item leaves. Don’t rely on a screenshot or an email saying it’s been sent.
- Be wary of buyers who offer to overpay, want to send a “courier”, or send you a link to “receive payment”. Those are common scam patterns. See selling scams.
If you have to deliver it
Bigger items can go with a man-with-a-van service or a courier, but quotes add up quickly. Get a quote before you agree a price, and add it to the “Postage you pay” box in the calculator to see what you’d keep.
If it won’t sell
Some charity shops take furniture, and some will collect it, if it’s clean, undamaged and has its fire safety labels. See where to donate, and the guide to clearing a loved one’s home if you’re emptying a whole house.