The Complete Guide on How to Find, Refurbish, and Ship Furniture for Profit

Whether you’re decluttering your home or starting a furniture-flipping side hustle, Facebook Marketplace is a great platform for making extra cash. 

Shipping your furniture opens up more opportunities to sell at higher prices by reaching a nationwide audience. In this guide, we’ll cover everything from finding furniture to flip, preparing it for sale, offering shipping, and leveraging uShip to expand your reach.

Selling Furniture on Facebook Marketplace TL;DR

• Source smart: Find cheap, trendy furniture at estate sales, thrift stores, and curb alerts.
• Restore value: Clean, repair, and modernize with paint or new hardware.
• Stage & shoot well: Use natural light, clean backgrounds, and multiple angles.
• Write clear listings: Include details, upgrades, and honest condition.
• Ship safely with uShip: Avoid risky meetups, expand your reach, and offer secure, trackable delivery.
• Maximize profit: Price with shipping in mind, offer “free shipping,” and target high-value items.
• Sell to anyone, anywhere: Open your shipping radius to anyone, anywhere with uShip. 

1. How to Find Cheap Furniture to Flip for Profit

Not all furniture is equally profitable when it comes to resale value, so it’s essential to be strategic in your search for pieces. The more you learn about current trends and materials, the easier it will be to identify furniture with high resale potential. The key here is staying up on those trends as they change, too. 

Where to Find Furniture:

• Garage and Estate Sales: Look for estate sales in your area, especially those in older neighborhoods. These homes often have high-quality vintage furniture that can be purchased at a fraction of its resale value.
• Thrift Stores and Flea Markets: While these places can be hit or miss, they can be goldmines for low-cost furniture that you can restore or flip.
• Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist: Both platforms have free and discounted listings. Look for deals where sellers are offering furniture at little to no cost.
• Curb Alerts: Many furniture flippers score great pieces by responding to “curb alert” posts or simply driving through neighborhoods on bulk pickup day.

PRO TIP: Use Google Lens or your favorite AI assistant to search specific pieces to get an idea of what you’ve found and how much it might be worth.

 

2. How to Clean and Restore Furniture for Maximum Value

Once you’ve found a piece, restoring it to its best possible condition can significantly boost its resale value. Whether it’s a minor cleanup or a full restoration, here are some steps to maximize your profits:

Cleaning Tips for Different Materials:

• Wood: Use a wood cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water to clean the surface. If the wood is scratched or faded, lightly sanding and applying wood polish or stain can restore its appearance. It may be necessary to strip it down to bare wood and refinish.
• Fabric Upholstery: For upholstered pieces, vacuum the fabric and use a fabric cleaner to remove stains. For tougher stains, a steam cleaner can work wonders. If the upholstery is beyond repair, consider reupholstering it with fresh fabric — this can dramatically increase the piece’s value.
• Leather: Use a specialized leather cleaner and conditioner to restore the material’s shine and softness. Be careful not to oversaturate, as leather can crack when too dry or brittle. Think of it in layers. Start with small amounts to see how the leather responds. Keep going until you get the finish you want.

Minor Repairs:

• Loose Joints and Screws: Tighten loose joints and replace screws or nails. If you come across wobbly legs, glue can help secure them for a sturdier finish.
• Scratches and Chips: Minor scratches can be buffed out with wood filler or wax crayons. For larger chips, use wood putty, then sand and stain.

Upgrades for a Modern Touch:

• New Hardware: Replace old knobs or handles with modern or trendy alternatives. This is a low-cost way to give an outdated piece a fresh, modern look. 
• Paint and Refinishing: For scratched or damaged pieces that are beyond minor fixes, a coat of paint can give them new life. Neutral colors like white, gray, or black are safe choices, but don’t be afraid to experiment with bold colors if they match the style. 

3. How to Stage and Photograph Furniture Like a Pro

Great photos and staging can be the difference between a quick sale and a listing that lingers on Facebook Marketplace. Since buyers are making decisions based on the images they see, it’s important to present your furniture in the best possible light (pun intended).

Staging:

• Create a Lifestyle Scene: Instead of just taking photos of the furniture alone, set it up in a clean, well-decorated room to give buyers an idea of how it will look in their home. For example, place a dining table in a dining room setting with tableware and simple décor items.
• Add Simple Décor: You don’t need to go overboard — just add a few pieces like a rug, a plant, or a vase to make the furniture feel more homey. This can make your listing more visually appealing and help buyers envision the furniture in their own space.

Photographing Tips:

• Natural Lighting: Shoot your photos during the day, using natural light to bring out the details. Avoid harsh overhead lighting that can create shadows or alter the color.
• Multiple Angles: Take photos from various angles to show the full item and close-up shots of key details. Capture any imperfections to build trust with potential buyers.
• Declutter the Background: Ensure that the background is clean and free from distractions. You want the buyer’s focus to be entirely on the furniture.

PRO TIP: Make product videos to take your Facebook Marketplace posts up a notch. 

4. How to Write an Effective Facebook Marketplace Listing

Writing a clear and informative listing can significantly impact how quickly your furniture sells. Here are some tips on crafting an attention-grabbing post.

Crafting a Descriptive Title:

• Be specific about the type of furniture, its style, material, and condition. Example: “Solid Oak Mid-Century Modern Dresser — Newly Restored.”

Providing a Detailed Description:

• Include dimensions, materials, and the condition of the item. If you’ve made any upgrades or repairs, highlight those as selling points. For example: “This table has been restored with a fresh coat of paint, reinforced legs, and new brass handles.”
• Transparency: Be upfront about any flaws or damage. Transparency builds trust with potential buyers and helps set the right expectations.

Pricing Your Furniture:

• Research other listings for similar items to get a sense of the competitive market rate. Make sure to leave room for negotiation if you’re open to offers.
• Use tools like Google Lens to get feel for what your item is and what it could go for. It’s built into most Android phones right out of the box, but it’s a bit more convoluted for iPhone users, so here’s a little guide.
• Factor in shipping costs if you’re offering that option — services like uShip make it easy to get a quote in advance, so you know how much to charge. You can also use our Shipping Calculator for ballpark figures. 

5. Why Shipping is Safer Than Meeting Buyers in Person

While local sales may seem convenient, there are several advantages to shipping your furniture instead of meeting buyers face-to-face.

Avoid Risky Meetups:

• Meeting strangers to complete a sale can present safety risks, especially if you’re dealing with large, valuable items like furniture. Shipping eliminates the need for in-person exchanges, reducing the risk of theft or uncomfortable situations.
• By offering shipping, you can also avoid common meetup frustrations, such as buyers canceling last minute or not showing up. Just make sure you secure payment before shipping. Don’t rely on cash-on-delivery. If you use uShip, payments are secure and released upon delivery and inspection. 

Convenience for Both Parties:

• For Sellers: Shipping allows you to handle the entire transaction online, from the initial sale to the final delivery. This streamlines the process and saves time. It’s also one less thing for you to have to manage.
• For Buyers: Many buyers are more likely to purchase if they don’t have to arrange transportation. Offering shipping can close more deals, especially for larger pieces that are difficult to move.

How uShip Keeps it Safe:

• With uShip, you can trust that your item will be handled by professional carriers. Our platform allows you and the buyer to track the shipment, offering peace of mind to both parties. Everything shipped on our platform gets blanket-wrap service and room-of-choice delivery, which ensures the lowest damage rates in the business.

6. How to Offer Shipping and Use uShip for Smooth Delivery

When you offer shipping, you expand your potential customer base from local buyers to a nationwide audience. Here’s how you can easily manage the shipping process:

Local Delivery Options:

• If your buyer is located nearby but doesn’t have a vehicle, offer local delivery for an extra fee. This is often a deal-clincher, especially for bulky items like couches or bed frames. If you are doing the delivery yourself, just be careful and know who you’re dealing with. It’s also important to have at least one other person know where you are when you’re doing the delivery.
• Or you could just use uShip. Local delivery is always an option. The process is the same, local or long distance. 

Long-Distance Shipping with uShip:

• uShip is ideal for handling large items like furniture, especially for buyers who live out of town. Here’s how it works:
  1. List Your Item: Provide details like dimensions, weight, and delivery location. You should include photos for more accurate quotes.
  2. Get Quotes: Transporters on uShip will submit bids, and you can choose the one that best fits your needs based on price, reviews, and availability.
  3. Safe and Trackable Shipping: Once you’ve selected a transporter, both you and the buyer can track the shipment. You can trust that your furniture will arrive safely and on time with uShip’s vetted carriers.

7. Maximizing Your Profits

When you sell furniture on Facebook marketplace and you’re offering shipping, pricing your furniture correctly is key to maintaining profitability. Consider these tips:

Accounting for Shipping Costs:

• Use the quotes from uShip to estimate shipping costs and factor them into your item’s final price. For higher-ticket items, this is usually well worth it, as buyers are often willing to pay more for valuable pieces.

Boost Sales with Free Shipping:

• Offering “free shipping” can be a game-changer for closing deals. While you’re technically including the shipping cost in the listing price, buyers love the convenience and simplicity of seeing a single price.

Upsell Larger or Unique Items:

• Items like vintage credenzas, solid wood dining tables, or unique chairs are worth the extra shipping cost because they tend to attract higher-end buyers. Focus your efforts on these valuable pieces to maximize profit. Use uShip’s offering as a way to attract higher-end buyers by mentioning the white-glove service they’ll get with us (blanket wrap, room-of-service delivery).

8. Closing the Deal and Shipping Safely

Once you’ve sold your furniture, ensuring a smooth transaction is crucial. Here’s how to wrap up the deal:

Confirm Buyer Details:

• Before shipping, double-check the buyer’s address and contact information to avoid any mix-ups.

uShip Protection Plan for Added Security:

• While carriers on uShip are insured, you can opt for the uShip Protection Plan for added peace of mind. This additional all-risk coverage protects against loss or damage during transit.

Keep the Buyer Informed:

• Use uShip’s tracking feature to keep both you and your buyer updated on the delivery status. Good communication ensures a smooth transaction and encourages positive reviews.

Final Thoughts: Scale Your Furniture Flipping Business with Shipping Selling Furniture on Facebook Marketplace

Whether you’re selling your own furniture or flipping items for profit, offering shipping on Facebook Marketplace is a smart move that can help you reach a nationwide audience. With tools like uShip, shipping is easier and safer than ever. 

So, why limit yourself to local buyers? Start offering shipping, sell more, and watch your profits take off!