Selling furniture in this low economy

[Radiance]

I have been trying to sell my dinner table and 4 chairs because it is glass and I don't like a glass table with a small child in the house.

I tried local grocery stores and craig list, I get a few calls, no buyers.
I paid $650 and I am trying to sell it for $200, it is in perfect condition. It's been 3 months already.

What am I doing wrong? is $200 still too much?

Now It seems I will be moving from a 3/2 house to a 1 bedroom apartment.
There are several pieces of furniture I will need to sell, I really don't see the point paying storage for them, don't you think? How will I sell all that stuff when I haven't been able to sell one table and 4 chairs...? Help!

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I am looking at buying a dinner table. Honestly people seem to be asking a lot for used furniture. I don't know how many people actually sell what they post. Personally when I sold our old couch, I sold it cheap because it had to go since we had a new one coming.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

For a table that was originally $650, I would consider paying $200, but I bet in your area there are just a lot of people selling furniture due to the economy. This would drive the price down, sad for those needing to sell. Have you priced similarly to how others are pricing? If yes, maybe you still need to notch it down a tad. 'cause maybe theirs aren't selling either.

I check Craigslist about once a week and I see the volume of furniture has gone way up since two years ago when I was actively looking for a certain kind of coffee table. (Found it, finally!) I think furniture is being offered by some people who've never sold or bought anything used and they have a bit unrealistic expectations. People sometimes ask around 80% showroom price. Not good enough. It is all on sale in the showrooms for less than that at least once a year.

[MonkeyMama]

If it's not selling, price it lower.

You may be surprised at interest if you price it at $199 or $175. If you want $200 you ask for $199. It makes a huge difference to buyers psychologically.

Price doesn't sound horrid with info given, but it is likely that market is flooded with used furniture and also that no one has cash to buy anything. My spouse usually snatches up old game systems for cheap and sells them for market value, but not a lot of cheap sellers nor any buyers, the last few months. Not that those items relate to furniture, but it has been unusual.

Are you willing to budge on price? People expect to be able to negotiate as well.

The simple answer is if it's not selling, it's priced too high.

Joan - I too am shocked sometimes at asking prices on Craigslist, etc. Geez - 80% - 90% retail - no thanks! You can get those deals going new.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by MonkeyMama

You may be surprised at interest if you price it at $199

The simple answer is if it's not selling, it's priced too high.

I agree on both points. If I wanted $200, I'd never actually ask $200. I'd ask $199 or $198. You're more likely to get a buyer and the dollar or two doesn't really matter.

Definitely do a search and see what similar stuff is listed for. Then, price yours a little lower.

[Daylily]

Do your ads include photos?
For me, I would rarely respond to an ad if it didn't already include a photo.

[Radiance]

Yes, picture included and all
I guess it goes down to pricing and using the 199 strategy.
Not only people are buying less, but there are more people selling as well.

Thank you everybody

[junosama]

Try taking better photos or just keep posting. Craigslist is prob your best bet still but its been slow lately. I think it will pick up within the next few months to a year.

[wincrasher]

Unfortunately furniture is something that has little value after it's bought, unless it is antique or of heirloom quality.

A glass table is something that is generally very cheap to begin with and generally not a traditional style. You probably will end up giving it away.

You may have more luck bartering. Maybe someone is selling their smaller table so they can get a bigger one. Looks thru the craigslist adds and make a few inquiries - maybe you can make a trade for something that will fit your new place.

[irmanator]

I think that buyers don't trust sellers sometimes there fore want it a little cheaper. And at the same time sellers think their item is highly valuable. I have been on both sides. I am looking for a dryer and am not willing to spend a lot for it not nowing the history of the item. Same token i sold a freezer and everyone was trying to talk me lower and i knew it was worth what i was asking.

[Radiance]

I ended up giving it away. My son banged his head and the table got a line fracture. I told the person who took it what happend and showed him the damage.

Since I will most likely move into a house and not a rental apartment I should be able to keep all or most of the furniture I currently have.

So, for now I am not putting anything else for sale.
When I choose a new place then I'll see what I need to sell or exchange....

[segmond]

yes, what spock0149 just said. if you have a truck or know someone that can deliever, add free delivery and it will sell!