What's a reasonable price to ask for our (very much used) living room set?

[Honu]

Upholstered furniture has little to no resale value, even when it's like new. Put it on Craigslist or dump it. The Goodwill here doesn't accept upholstered furniture at all, no matter what the condition.

 

[mrzrich]

Umm...looked up used Berkline couches...found lots including this brand new one with the tags still on for $400

http://nashville.craigslist.org/fur/559255194.html

or this 3 year old one for $175

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/fur/554385192.html

Put it in your yard sale if you want, but don't expect much.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Wow, didn't know I would was going to come here and be told that my stuff, which no one has even seen, is junk. My question was how much to sell it for, not should I sell it or donate it.

Anyway, we have decided to sell it in our yard sale this spring. We won't be donating it to Goodwill or putting it out by the curb with "FREE" written on it. And no, I'm not overvaluing my stuff.

I would like to get something out of it if we can. Donating it will not get us a deduction because we no longer itemize on our taxes. But, like I said, if anyone I know needs a set and wants ours, they're welcome to have it.

YAY! Of all things I get to do today, I got to add "defend my furniture" to the list!

People responded based on what you posted.

I don't think anyone needs to see it. Based on what you posted, it's not in good condition.

Based on what you posted, someone would have to be desperate, in dire need, or just darn cheap to pay for what you described. They would be crazy to pay the price you mentioned.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Wow, didn't know I would was going to come here and be told that my stuff, which no one has even seen, is junk. My question was how much to sell it for, not should I sell it or donate it.

Anyway, we have decided to sell it in our yard sale this spring. We won't be donating it to Goodwill or putting it out by the curb with "FREE" written on it. And no, I'm not overvaluing my stuff.

I would like to get something out of it if we can. Donating it will not get us a deduction because we no longer itemize on our taxes. But, like I said, if anyone I know needs a set and wants ours, they're welcome to have it.

YAY! Of all things I get to do today, I got to add "defend my furniture" to the list!

If you're willing to give it to someone who needs it, a battered women's place will probably take it. There are many people who suddenly find themselves in the position of having to start over with nothing but the clothes they are wearing who would be happy to get it. Beats sitting on the floor!

My guess is that if you start asking around, you'll find someone who knows someone who could use it.

And while you might not get a tax deduction, you would get the satisfaction of helping someone out. Not that I think there is anything wrong with taking the dough and not helping someone out! I don't. But there is a non-tangible benefit to you.

I really can't see anyone paying the kind of money you're asking for the furniture you described. But good luck to you!

...and if it doesn't sell, please consider donating it.

 

[1rockinmamato2]

Umm...looked up used Berkline couches...found lots including this brand new one with the tags still on for $400

http://nashville.craigslist.org/fur/559255194.html

or this 3 year old one for $175

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/fur/554385192.html

Put it in your yard sale if you want, but don't expect much.

Thank you for doing some research for me! I have the entire matching set, which is why I think at least $150 is reasonable.

I'll do some research on Craigslist in my area later to see what's comparable and selling in my area.

If you're willing to give it to someone who needs it, a battered women's place will probably take it. There are many people who suddenly find themselves in the position of having to start over with nothing but the clothes they are wearing who would be happy to get it. Beats sitting on the floor!

My guess is that if you start asking around, you'll find someone who knows someone who could use it.

And while you might not get a tax deduction, you would get the satisfaction of helping someone out. Not that I think there is anything wrong with taking the dough and not helping someone out! I don't. But there is a non-tangible benefit to you.

I really can't see anyone paying the kind of money you're asking for the furniture you described. But good luck to you!

...and if it doesn't sell, please consider donating it.

I'm definitely taking the best offer at the sale and if there is none, it will get donated then. At all our yard sales, any unsold items get loaded up that day and taken to Goodwill. It doesn't come back into my house.

Yup, you did get some harsh comments! Seriously, I like the suggestion to put it on Craig's list for $50 best. ("Free" might bring too many crazy calls.)

When DH and I were buying upholstered furniture 15 years ago, there weren't a lot of "cheap new furniture" places around. Now you can get sofas for a song. Times have really changed, at least in my city! I don't think you'll get much for your furniture, BUT if you have the room, I think saving it for a yard sale is a fine idea.

I guess that is what may be a bit of an issue here. I do know that in my area, used furniture still has value. At our last sale, someone bought our upholstered bar stools with outdated, but like new, fabric for the price I had on them. I guess that's why I was thinking an entire living room set would be worth some money too.

I'm slowly getting this house updated with new paint and decor. We hadn't done anything except necessary maintenance to this house since we built it 8 years ago. Then, all of a sudden last year, I looked around and was like "and we painted the walls this color because?????"

 

[yeartolate]

Wow, didn't know I would was going to come here and be told that my stuff, which no one has even seen, is junk. My question was how much to sell it for, not should I sell it or donate it.

Anyway, we have decided to sell it in our yard sale this spring. We won't be donating it to Goodwill or putting it out by the curb with "FREE" written on it. And no, I'm not overvaluing my stuff.

I would like to get something out of it if we can. Donating it will not get us a deduction because we no longer itemize on our taxes. But, like I said, if anyone I know needs a set and wants ours, they're welcome to have it.

YAY! Of all things I get to do today, I got to add "defend my furniture" to the list!

I personally don't think your sofa is junk. I think people (including myself) are saying from experience that it is a tough sale. Folks in our area want new and there are many low priced new options with free delivery and zero interest.When I drive past all the garage sales around here, the sofa's never move. Maybe the culture of your area is different. I can certainly tell you from experience that our local charities will not take it. If sofas move in your area, then you should have luck selling. Either way I wish you luck.

 

[swilphil]

Thank you for doing some research for me! I have the entire matching set, which is why I think at least $150 is reasonable.

Did you notice that her research found a THREE YEAR OLD set for $175? Not a 14-year-old set that is outdated, worn, threadbare and has holes as you described below:

The one we have now is 14 years old and it is outdated (although still pretty, IMO) and worn.

It is a Berkline motion set (all pieces recline). It is still in reasonably good condition. There are a couple of threadbare places and the beginnings of some holes.

 

[bumcat]

Here's what I would need to know before I bought a 14 yr old couch:

Did your kids ever throw up on it?
Did you ever change a poop diaper on it?
Did you have animals? Did they throw up, pee or poop on it?
Any one smoke around the couch?
Did any one ever sit on it naked and well you know.......
So much can happen to a couch in 14 yrs

 

[jobhunter]

Honestly, from the way you described them here, I think you should take them to the dump!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21944626&postcount=1

 

[disneyjunkie]

WOW

 

[Loverly]

If I had something that old, I'd donate it to a shelter.
My college kid wouldn't even take things sort of threadbear when they got their own place.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

Not sure what you expected. You asked for a reasonable price and people responded. People told you, that free would be reasonable, given the age, and condition. I personally think $50 is the most you could hope for, and probably won't get that, but of course ask whatever you think you want out of it.

We just got new living room furniture, tossed around alot of idea. Our set was only 5 years old, but the couch had not been the same since our 3 state move two years ago. We thought about donating it vs selling vs giving it away. We sat the chair, and ottoman outside while taking our new stuff off the truck, and into our living room. Someone asked for it within 15 minutes.

We trashed the couch w/ a crow-bar, hammer, and saw---GREAT stress relief.

 

[bumcat]

Honestly, from the way you described them here, I think you should take them to the dump!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21944626&postcount=1

Wow, that must be another couch.

 

[Mermaid02]

Here's what I would need to know before I bought a 14 yr old couch:

Did your kids ever throw up on it?
Did you ever change a poop diaper on it?
Did you have animals? Did they throw up, pee or poop on it?
Any one smoke around the couch?
Did any one ever sit on it naked and well you know.......
So much can happen to a couch in 14 yrs

How about- did your childs sippy cup of milk ever up end on it... I swear a frat house must have taken our old couch.... nobody else would have wanted it... we have kids and a dog....

 

[polyfan]

I would put it on Craigslist for a price. You will be amazed at how much people will pay. Good friends of ours buy or pick up the free stuff and then turn around and resell for an easy $150-$200.

 

[Green Tea]

If the yard sale thing doesn't work out, put it on your curb with a sign saying $150 for the set. Turn off your porch light and wait. I bet someone will come and steal it if they think it is worth $150. Now, granted, they might bring it back and re-dump it come morning's light. But, maybe not. Then it is gone and you don't have to rent a truck to take it anywhere.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Here's what I would need to know before I bought a 14 yr old couch:

Did your kids ever throw up on it?
Did you ever change a poop diaper on it?
Did you have animals? Did they throw up, pee or poop on it?
Any one smoke around the couch?
Did any one ever sit on it naked and well you know.......
So much can happen to a couch in 14 yrs

Well, since you put it that way, I don't think I could buy something that was used for a month!

 

[yeartolate]

Honestly, from the way you described them here, I think you should take them to the dump!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21944626&postcount=1

Whoops.

I don't know what shocks me more. That this might be the same sofa or that somebody got the search function to work.

 

[grlpwrd]

Did you notice that her research found a THREE YEAR OLD set for $175? Not a 14-year-old set that is outdated, worn, threadbare and has holes as you described below:

Those things never sell around here. I always see then overpriced and then they get deperate and list them for free.

I can understand that other people's junk is another person's reasure, but come one now. No offense, but no one wants to buy worn, threadbare, and holed "junk."

You might want to list it on ebay as a "haunted couch," though. (I am actually half kidding, but half serious. "Haunted" stuff gets sold on ebay a lot.)

I really need to see a picture of it...

 

[Cool-Beans]

Oh, my gosh.

Now's not the time for us to be buying living room furniture. But the ones we have are 13 years old and are looking pretty shabby. For years I put of replacing them because I knew with children in our future, the furniture would take further abuse.

But, these things are just embarassing. There is no more spot cleaning and vacuuming of these things to make them look decent anymore.

We could buy a more expensive set from the same store we got these years ago, but I would rather not spend that kind of money or put that much on credit when I am about to stay home with the kids.

Is this the same furniture you now say we're nuts to think won't sell for $200?

Fourteen years old, looks pretty shabby, is embarrassing, can't get rid of the spots, is threadbare, has small holes. Same stuff?