How to Run a Moving Sale That Actually Works
Based on what we see work on Nextdoor, Facebook Marketplace, and Buy Nothing groups.
The reality: Most moving sales make $200 to $800 total. The goal is not to recoup what you paid. The goal is to get rid of things quickly so you move less, spend less on movers, and start fresh. Price to sell, not to profit.
How to Price Everything
| Item Type | Price at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA furniture | 20 to 30% of retail | Everyone knows it is IKEA. A $400 KALLAX is a $80 to $120 sale. Nobody pays more. |
| Quality furniture (solid wood, brand name) | 30 to 50% of retail | West Elm, Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn hold value better. A $1,200 couch can sell for $400 to $600 if in good condition. |
| Mattresses | Almost unsellable | Most people will not buy a used mattress. List at $50 to $100 and expect no takers. Donate or trash. |
| Electronics (working) | 30 to 50% of retail | TVs, monitors, speakers. Check current prices on Amazon first. A 2-year-old TV sells for about half what a new one costs. |
| Kitchen appliances | 20 to 40% of retail | Instant Pots, KitchenAids, Vitamix hold value. Basic blenders and toasters: $5 to $15. Not worth the listing effort under $10. |
| Clothes | $1 to $5 per item | Unless designer. Bundle: “bag of women's medium, $10 for all.” Individual listing is not worth your time. |
| Books | $1 each or free | Nobody pays retail for used books. “$1 each or take the whole box for $5.” |
| Outdoor/patio furniture | 30 to 50% of retail | Sells well in spring and summer. Hard to move, so buyers are motivated. Price fairly and it goes fast. |
Rule of thumb: if you would not drive across town to buy it at your asking price, it is priced too high.
What Sells and What Doesn't
Sells quickly
- Desks and office chairs (remote work demand)
- Bookshelves and storage units
- Dining tables and chairs
- Patio furniture (seasonal)
- Power tools
- Brand-name kitchen appliances
- Kids toys and baby gear (not car seats)
- Exercise equipment
Hard to sell
- Mattresses (hygiene concerns)
- Particle board furniture (not worth moving)
- Old TVs (especially non-smart)
- Printers and scanners
- Generic dishware and glasses
- Decorative items and knick-knacks
- Textbooks (outdated editions)
- Large entertainment centers
Where to List
Facebook Marketplace has the most buyers. List with 3 to 4 photos, include dimensions for furniture, and set as “pick up only.” Respond quickly. First person to commit and show up gets it.
Nextdoor is best for neighborhood sales. Your neighbors are more likely to show up (shorter drive) and less likely to flake. Great for “everything must go” yard sale announcements.
Buy Nothing groups (Facebook or app) are for giving things away. If your goal is speed over money, post everything as free. Items go in hours, not days.
Craigslist still works for furniture and electronics. Buyers skew practical. Less browsing, more “I need a desk and this one is $60.”
OfferUp works well for electronics, tools, and smaller items. Built-in ratings help with trust.
Timing
Start listing 2 to 3 weeks before your move. This gives you time to deal with flaky buyers and re-list items that do not sell on the first try.
Post on Thursday evening. Most people browse Marketplace and Nextdoor on Friday and Saturday. Thursday posts get maximum weekend visibility.
If hosting a yard sale, do it on Saturday morning. 7 AM to noon. Serious buyers come early. Mark everything with prices (masking tape + marker). Have cash for change. Anything left at noon gets posted as free or donated.
Drop prices 30% after 5 days. If it did not sell at $80, it will not sell at $80 next week either. Drop to $50. If it still does not sell, post it as free or schedule a charity pickup.
What to Do With What Doesn't Sell
Post as free on Buy Nothing or Nextdoor. What would not sell for $20 will disappear in hours when listed as free. Set a pickup deadline.
Schedule a charity pickup. Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, and Pickup Please will come to your home. Free, tax-deductible, and the items go to someone who needs them. Full guide on donation pickup options
Ask your mover. Some movers will haul leftover items to a donation center as part of your move, especially on a slow day. Worth asking when you book. Compare junk removal options
Do not move it just because you could not sell it. Every cubic foot you move costs money. A $30 bookshelf costs $15 to $25 to move. If it did not sell for $10, it is cheaper to leave it behind and buy a new one.
Once the sale is done, find movers for what's left.