The best places for collection sales
Facebook Marketplace
It's free for local collection, and most people searching for second-hand furniture near them start here. Buyers can message you straight away, so expect quick questions about size and condition.
Gumtree
Most Gumtree listings are free, with optional paid promotion if you want more views. It's a long-running classifieds site that reaches buyers who aren't on Facebook.
eBay, collection in person
Private selling on eBay is free, and you can list an item for collection only. When the buyer collects, they show you a code or QR code from eBay, and exchanging it releases your payment. That means you aren't handling cash.
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. Furniture that sits around costs you space, so a quick sale is often worth a lower price.
Stay safe on collection
- Have someone else at home when a buyer collects.
- If you take a bank transfer, check it has arrived in your banking app before the item leaves. Don't rely on a screenshot.
- Be wary of buyers who offer to overpay or send a "courier". That's a common scam pattern.
If you have to deliver it
Larger items can be sent by specialist couriers or on a pallet, but quotes for big pieces 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 actually keep.
If it won't sell
Some charities collect furniture for free. They usually only accept upholstered furniture with its fire safety label still attached, so check the label before you book.