Whether furnishing your entire home or buying just one new item, you will find looking in the second-hand marketplace is always worthwhile. Furniture can be hugely expensive, especially if you are furnishing a whole room, or an entire house, but you can make big savings and get a lot more for your money by shopping in the second-hand market.
Buying second-hand allows you to save money, find unique and interesting items and even reduce your environmental impact. Still, the second-hand marketplace can also be hard to navigate. Therefore, it is helpful to be aware of a few rules when shopping in the second-hand marketplace for furniture that should help you to get a good deal.
1. Inspect The Item Carefully
First, you should always inspect the item carefully. It is best if you are able to view the item in person first so that you can check it over and ensure that it is in a usable condition. Still, if not, you need to review the listing carefully and ask questions. An item may not be in pristine condition, and this is to be expected, but you do not want to buy something that will fall apart when you move it in.
2. Check The Measurements
Following this, you also need to check the measurements to make sure that the item will fit through doorways and fit in the area that you have in mind. You do not want to buy a sofa only to find that it won’t fit in the room, so ask for the measurements if they are not given and measure your own doorways and the space that you have in mind.
3. Plan The Shipping
Another important rule when buying second-hand furniture online is to consider the shipping of the item. Keep in mind that it can be challenging to ship large, bulky items, so you will want to research your options and decide before buying. It is not always easy or cost-effective to pick the item up yourself, so you will want to look into Gumtree delivery options. You can find companies that can pick up and deliver the item for you, which is often the best solution. You can use platforms to compare Gumtree delivery companies online, and this could help you to save as much as 75% on your shipping costs.
4. Negotiate
Buying furniture (or anything else) in the second-hand marketplace is always worth negotiating. Negotiations are expected to take place, so you might find that you can get an even better deal on an item. You should always be friendly in your negotiations. Still, it is worth asking for a better price as you might be able to save yourself a decent amount by asking.
These are the main guidelines to keep in mind when it comes to buying second-hand furniture online. If you follow these rules, you should find joy in the used furniture marketplace and get a good deal on any item you want to buy.