The following tips for selling a used mattress will help you dispose of your old mattress without it costing you - in fact, those who sell used mattress make money from what would otherwise be an awkward item to dispose of.
There are many reasons why somebody would want to replace their mattress, even if it is still in good condition. Perhaps you want a new bed, in which case you would likely prefer a new mattress to go with it. Maybe you have back problems and need a different type of mattress, more suited to alleviating back pain. Perhaps you are moving home and want to renew everything. There are many other reasons.
In each of these scenarios, you have the problem of what to do with the old one! Why not make some money and sell it rather than pay for its disposal or recycling? So how do people sell new mattresses? What is the procedure and where do you sell them from? These tips for selling a used mattress will give you some ideas on how to do this with the minimum of hassle and stress.
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How to Sell Used Mattresses
Here are some tips on how to advertise your mattress and where to sell it. Understanding your advertising options is an important aspect of understanding how to sell used mattresses for the best return. First comes transportation, which is a significant aspect of selling a mattress.
Transportation
So where can you sell your old mattress? Before making that decision, you should first consider transportation and delivery to the buyer. A mattress is an awkward item due to its dimensions and weight. Mattress can weigh anything from over 100 lb downwards, and you can't just fit it into a car - unless you have a very big car! A pickup truck would be OK if you have access to one - assuming the weather permits, although a van would be best.
If you can't borrow a suitable means of transportation you may have to hire one, in which case the higher cost must be added to the mattress price. Alternatively, advertise the mattress for collection only. The transport issue may restrict your advertising options. It will likely not be possible to advertise nationwide if you stipulate 'collection only.'
Advertising and Selling
So where do you advertise? Here are some options.
Local Newspaper Classified Ads
This could be a good and inexpensive way of advertising and selling a used mattress. Since the advert is local, it will be appropriate to sell on the basis of 'local collection only' meaning that the buyer collects the mattress from your home. This removes the issue of transport and delivery.
Other Local Advertising
Some stores provide boards for customers to advertise their goods free of charge. Some local stores even allow you to put cards in their shop window for a small fee. Again, the local aspects take the transportation issue away from you. Word of mouth might also work - let all your friends know it is for sale. But state a price or the will expect it for next to nothing. Use relatives/family only if you are desperate because they will definitely expect a gift or least a token charge!
Craigslist
Craigslist also provides a means of advertising locally. You can advertise in your own zip code or postcode, and adverts are free to post.
Garage or Yard Sale
This is an option, but only if you are unable to sell your mattress any other way. That's because people expect goods on offer in such sales to be inexpensive, and you are unlikely to get the same price as you would if you sold it any other way.
Online Sales/Auction Platform
In addition to Craigslist, there are several other options on how to sell used mattresses online. Here are some of these.
Australia: In Australia you can use Quicksales that allow you to sell just about everything online, including bedding and used mattresses.
USA: There are many similar sites worldwide. In Ney York you can use:
Letgo Worldwide: The Letgo app enables you to sell anything you wish through mobile classified ads. Launched in 2015, users can sell to and buy from local people. It is fundamentally like a local newspaper classified ads page, but with a much wider range and allowing people to communicate with each other. Use mattresses are bought and sold using this app. For example, check out https://us.letgo.com/en for an example of how this app works.
Ebay: Ebay is what Ebay does: it enables you to offer your mattress for sale under any of the following conditions you prefer:
- Sell at a fixed price you set (Buy it Now option)
- As a straight auction listing - People bid and the highest bid wins.
- Auction with reserve: As above, but the product is not sold if your reserve price is not met.
- Classified Ad option: You advertise on eBay as with any other classified ad and handle the sale yourself.
One benefit of eBay is that you also state delivery prices. These can be categorized according to the delivery destination. The delivery price is added the buyer's payment. Check out the eBay sales formats here.
There are other ways how to sell new mattresses, although the above are likely the most suitable for selling a mattress. They allow you to minimize, or even eliminate, the costs involved in delivering such a bulky item.
How to Sell Used Mattresses: Points to Consider
Knowing how to sell used mattresses to make money from your old mattress involves more than just knowing where to sell it. It also involves knowing how to sell it. Here are some other tips on how to sell used mattresses for the best price by making them look good and sound good.
1. Clean it!
It is important that your mattress looks clean. Nobody will want to purchase the mattress with sweat stains or worse showing. You must remove these as far as you can. Steam cleaning will kill bacteria and bed bugs (some people try to sell the bed bugs with the mattress!) It might pay you to pay for professional cleaning - that depends on the amount you expect to you sell your mattress for. Sometimes it's just best to give it a good clean, then sell 'as seen'.
However (there is always a 'however') some states have specific regulations on the cleaning of used mattresses before they can be offered for sale. For example, the state of Texas requires the seller of used mattresses to clean them before the sale and to indicate on the sale that the mattress is a used one. Some states also regulate the cleaning methods that must be used. So check this out for your own state or country. Private person-person sales may not be subject to such regulation.
2. Include the Brand Name of the Mattress
You are more likely to sell your mattress if can include the brand and model of the mattress. People buying used mattresses often like to check up on the specifications of that mattress, and this will enable them to do so.
3. Include Photographs
Photos speak louder than words, and you can sell used mattresses much easier and quicker by providing photographs where allowed. eBay certainly allows these as does Craigslist. Make sure your photo shows up the main features of the mattress, and take them from a selection of angles so the potential buyers get a good idea of what they would be purchasing.
4. Provide Honest Information
Be honest with the information you provide. This includes offering details of any pet that may have been in contact the mattress. Some people have allergies to pets and/or their dander, and you could have problems if you fail to divulge this information. On the other hand, by advertising that your mattress comes from a non-smoking home could have a good positive effect.
5. Delivery Information
Also, be honest with delivery. If there is a cost then advertise how much. If you are offering free delivery of the mattress (even if that has been added to the price) then you will likely find it easier to sell. If there is a separate delivery cost than say so.
With eBay, some sellers often find it easier to sell used mattresses by adding the delivery as a separate charge. People often miss the delivery cost when they bid, and only find it when they have made their PayPal payment. Others prefer to be more honest and include the delivery in the price of the item - and then state 'Free Delivery' on the listing.
More honest...? Perhaps neither approach is being open with the buyer, although the latter seems fairer to customers - they always know what they are paying! Choose your preference - both work to help you sell.
Tips for Selling a Used Mattress: Conclusion
Your existing mattress will not sell itself. Unless you have a willing friend or family member who is looking for a mattress and is willing to pay you to take it off your hands, then you have to advertise. The above tips will show you how to sell used mattresses and make money by doing so.
Not many people know how to sell used mattresses in a way that gets them the best price with the least problems. By following the above guide, and making use of the tips for selling a used mattress provided, you should find it fairly easy and provide you with the minimum of work.
