Many people want to buy secondhand furniture to refresh their interiors, save money, or simply because they are more environmentally conscious. Secondhand furniture is no longer reserved for a select few; this practice is becoming increasingly popular in Switzerland. Are you looking for a unique piece to furnish your home, but you're not quite sure how to go about it? We offer five tips for buying secondhand furniture.
The first step when buying secondhand furniture is obviously to define your needs. In other words, ask yourself: what will I be using my furniture for? Will it simply be to enhance your decor, or will it have a specific function? This will guide your choice of materials. If it's purely decorative, prioritize aesthetics so the furniture matches your style. However, if you intend to use the furniture in your bathroom, for example, you'll need to check if it's waterproof.
Clearly defining your needs will also make your search easier, whether you're browsing flea markets or, even more so, online. In the latter case, furniture is often categorized, so the more precise you are in your search, the better your chances of finding what you're looking for. For example, try typing "drawer storage" instead of "storage furniture." Similarly, don't hesitate to specify the material you're looking for, such as a glass or teak table.
Have you ever bought a sofa that was too big for your apartment? When browsing in shops or at flea markets, it's very tempting to fall in love with an authentic secondhand piece of furniture. To avoid any unpleasant surprises once you get your find home, we recommend keeping the correct dimensions in mind. To make things easier, you can set a limit based on the size of your apartment. Be sure to check the dimensions of the piece of furniture in question.
Logistics are also very important when buying furniture, as it is usually large and heavy. Ask the seller if they cover the shipping costs and if there is insurance in case of damage during delivery. All these questions are necessary to ensure your peace of mind during your purchase. Recycling Market, We make your life easier by offering pre-owned furniture in excellent condition and an express delivery service. And if you're ever looking for a product not listed on the website, we provide a wish list and will notify you as soon as the product becomes available.
Buying secondhand furniture online certainly has its advantages, but its biggest drawback remains the inability to visually inspect the item. To mitigate this, don't hesitate to ask the seller about the condition of the piece, its flaws and signs of wear, its origin, and the potential cost of restoration. Request additional photos to provide further assurance. And if it's a valuable piece of furniture, remember to ask for proof of its authenticity. Designer pieces generally come with a certificate of authenticity. If the seller doesn't have one, ask about the brand, artist, serial number, and signature on the piece.
It's always difficult to gauge the price of a product, especially when it comes to secondhand furniture. Generally, owners want to get rid of their furniture as quickly as possible by selling it in lots, which means prices are already very low. You can still negotiate prices, within reason, even for items online. Typically, you start with an asking price of 30,000 and then agree on a price within 10 to 15,000. Note that these figures are only indicative, as each item is unique. In any case, the price must remain reasonable considering the condition and the actual market value of the furniture.
Finally, our last piece of advice is to not hesitate to buy if you're interested in the used furniture in question. Indeed, you know that some items are rare and hard to find. After your search, if you come across a piece you like and, after carefully checking all the details, you're still interested, then don't waste any time, because behind their screen, another buyer like you is also very interested in it. It's well known that good deals go fast! The seller usually operates on a first-come, first-served basis!
