The best places for pickup sales
Facebook Marketplace
It’s free for local pickup, and most people looking for used furniture near them start here. Buyers can message you straight away, so expect quick questions about size and condition.
OfferUp
A popular buying and selling app that reaches local buyers who aren’t on Facebook. Listing is free, with optional paid promotion if you want more views.
Craigslist
Still well used in many cities, especially for furniture. Check the posting rules for your area, as some categories charge a small fee.
eBay, with local pickup
You can offer local pickup on eBay, and the buyer pays through eBay, so you aren’t handling cash. But eBay’s fees still apply: 13.6% plus $0.40. For most furniture, Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp leave you more. See the eBay fee calculator.
Write a listing that sells
- Give the measurements. Height, width and depth, and for sofas the seat height. Most questions are about whether it will fit.
- Photograph it in daylight from several angles, including any marks or wear.
- Say how it can be picked up. 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 pickup
- Have someone else at home when a buyer comes.
- If you take Zelle, Venmo or another payment app, check the money is in your account before the item leaves. Don’t trust an email or a screenshot.
- Be wary of buyers who offer to overpay or send a “mover”. See selling scams.
If you have to deliver it
Bigger items can go with a local mover or a delivery app, but quotes add up quickly. Get a quote before you agree a price, and add it to the “Shipping you pay” box in the calculator.
If it won’t sell
Many Habitat for Humanity ReStores pick up good furniture for free. See where to donate, and the guide to clearing a loved one’s home if you’re emptying a whole house.