Jen
Selling your office furniture is a great way to make a little extra cash, or maybe even fund your office redecoration project. The best used office furniture retailers (cough, Arnolds, cough) will offer you top dollar for your old equipment (provided it's in usable shape). To make sure you get as much money as possible, follow these easy tips.
1. Do an inventory and inspection.
Finding out what, exactly, you want to sell, is the first step in selling your used office furniture. Don't rely on your memory or a vague sense of what needs to go. Getting a precise count will help you figure out which seller you want to hire as well as allowing you to estimate your profit down the line. Some retailers work with large lots only, while others will deal with single items or mixed lots.
2. Clean it up.
We're not just talking about a pass with a rag and a bottle of Windex here. No matter how neat and tidy your employees are, years of use adds up to layer upon layer of grime. To get your office furniture looking like new again, hire professional cleaners or rent steam-cleaning equipment and buff 'em up yourself. You'll be amazed at how much better your old furniture looks minus the dirt.
3. Replace missing parts.
Most major furniture manufacturers offer replacement parts for a small fee. It's worth it to get your furniture in good working condition before you sell. You'll get a lot more money for something that retailers can pass on whole than you would for something that amounts to a pile of spare parts. Make sure you check the warranty before you replace anything at your own expense. Some manufacturers will replace parts free of charge within a certain time frame, and that time frame could be longer than you think.
4. Compare prices.
Of course, you won't get full retail price for your old equipment. If you did, the furniture seller wouldn't be able to make a profit on it. Still, it's a good idea to see what your furniture goes for on the open market in its present (clean and repaired) condition.
5. Compare resellers.
Before you decide on a broker, ask around. Get bids from a few different companies and make sure you know what's included, especially in terms of pickup or drop-off. That great price might not be so impressive if you have to rent a furniture truck to move your stuff across town. Most places will be happy to send a representative out to look at your goods before giving you a quote. Not only will this enable you to figure out whether you're getting the best possible deal, but it will also give you a sense of who you're dealing with before you sign on the dotted line.
