How to Sell Furniture on CraigsList

Do you have furniture items in your home that you don’t need or want any more? Ready to replace your dining room table and chairs, so the old set has to go? CraigsList is a reliable way to get your furniture out of your house, basement, or attic, and into a new home. By following these tips, you can make this a quick and painless transaction.

Before you sit down at your computer to write your posting, do the following:

1. Dust or clean your item and empty it
2. Move it to a spot where you can take one or several pictures of it. Good lighting is a must!
3. Take pictures of it – preferably several pictures from different angles. If it has doors, take at least one picture with the doors open so potential buyers can see what the inside looks like.
4. Move the pictures onto your computer.
5. Measure it – height, width, and depth

Write your ad, and include the following information:

1. The price – CraigsList wants you to put it in the title area. Be sure it is somewhere in your ad.
2. A description of your item, including what kind of wood it is, or what color and pattern. Words are free on CraigsList, so don’t be too short. More description will bring more potential buyers. Note if there are any repairs or needed repairs.
3. If you are selling other items the same day that might go with the item in this ad, be sure to mention that you also have other pieces for sale. Buyers might search for them also.
4. Any special requirements – will the buyer need a truck or large van? Will you be able to help load the item into their vehicle, or will they need to bring a friend?
5. Include the measurements of the item
6. Add the pictures to your listing.

DO NOT DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Do not put your address in the ad
2. Do not put your phone number in the ad
3. Do not make statements about your possessions – for example, stating “Just bought a new 52″ plasma TV, so the old entertainment center has to go” is telling potential bad guys that you have a nice new TV that they might want for themselves.
4. Do not put your furniture outside where someone could drive up and take it without paying you first.

Based on your ad, you will start receiving emails from people who are interested in your item. The more time you take with making your ad descriptive and extremely useful to potential buyers, the more interest you will have.

Once you have determined who will be invited to purchase your item, for your own safety, please consider the following:

1. If you can move your item to a public place, consider meeting the buyer there at a designated time, so you never have to give out your home address. (I frequently meet people in the local convenience store parking lot, for example.)
2. Don’t give out your home phone number unless you have no other choice. It can be tracked back to your address. Use a cell phone number if you must have a phone conversation with the buyer.
3. If the swap needs to take place at your home, make sure you are not home alone.
4. If you are a single person, in your emails back and forth to the buyer, give the impression that others live there. When the buyer arrives, you might even call back into the house “the guy is here for the futon” or whatever, even if no one is listening.
5. Don’t invite people into your home or garage. Move the item to the front porch or the driveway shortly before the designated pickup time.

While most people are basically honest, good, people, there are always some who aren’t. While these tips are not guaranteed to keep you safe, following good judgement and exercising caution are very good ideas.

Be fully descriptive of your item, and be cautious with your potential buyers. You’ll get some extra cash, reclaim some space in your home, and being cautious will keep you safe while doing it. Good luck!