Buying Furniture on Facebook Marketplace

Furniture is one of the best categories on Marketplace. Quality pieces that cost thousands new sell for a fraction used. But you need to know what you’re looking at—and what you’re bringing into your home.

The bed bug reality check

Let’s address this first because it’s the biggest risk with used furniture.

Bed bugs love:

• Upholstered furniture (couches, chairs, mattresses)
• Wooden furniture with cracks and crevices
• Anything with fabric

How to inspect:

1. Bring a flashlight. You need to see into seams and crevices.

2. Check the seams. Pull back fabric at seams and look for:

   • Tiny rust-colored spots (fecal matter)
   • Small white eggs
   • Shed skins (translucent, bug-shaped)
   • Live bugs (flat, oval, reddish-brown, apple seed size)

3. Inspect underneath. Flip cushions, check under the furniture, look in any cracks in wooden frames.

4. Check the tags. Bed bugs love hiding behind sewn-in tags.

5. Trust your nose. Heavy infestations have a sweet, musty odor.

Our rule: If the home looks dirty or unkempt, pass on upholstered items. It’s not worth the risk.

Solid wood vs the impostors

“Solid wood” on Marketplace often means “has wood somewhere in it.” Here’s how to tell what you’re actually getting.

Solid wood:

• Heavy for its size
• Wood grain visible on edges and continues through
• Dents and scratches, not chips
• Often has natural variations in color

Particleboard/MDF:

• Lighter weight
• Edges show compressed layers or are covered with veneer
• Chips rather than dents
• Perfectly uniform color
• Swells when wet (check for water damage)

Veneer over cheap core:

• Thin layer of real wood over particleboard
• Edges may show the layers
• Can peel or bubble with age

Check the underside and back. Manufacturers don’t waste good wood where you can’t see it. If the underside is raw particleboard, the piece isn’t solid wood.

Why it matters: Solid wood furniture can last generations. Particleboard furniture has maybe 5-10 years before it falls apart—and it can’t be refinished or repaired easily.

Couches and upholstered furniture

Beyond bed bugs, here’s what to check:

The sit test: Sit in every spot. You’re feeling for:

• Springs poking through
• Uneven support (sagging)
• Creaking or grinding noises
• Frame movement

Cushion quality:

• Foam degrades over time and loses support
• Down/feather cushions can be refluffed; foam cannot
• Ask how old the piece is—foam typically lasts 5-7 years

Frame check:

• Lift one corner. The whole couch should move as one unit.
• If it flexes or creaks excessively, the frame is compromised.

Smell check:

• Pet odors can be deep in foam and fabric
• Smoke smell never fully comes out
• Musty smell = possible mold or mildew

Fabric inspection:

• Check high-wear areas: armrests, seat fronts, headrest areas
• Look for pilling, thinning, or fading
• Stains on show are usually the tip of the iceberg

Dressers and case goods

The drawer test:

• Pull each drawer completely out
• Check for smooth operation (no sticking, grinding)
• Look at drawer construction:
  • Dovetail joints = quality (interlocking finger-like cuts)
  • Staples/glue only = budget construction
• Check drawer bottoms for warping or damage

The wobble test:

• Push gently on the top. Quality pieces shouldn’t wobble.
• Check that all feet touch the ground evenly.

Hardware check:

• Are handles/pulls original or replacements?
• Do drawers have stops (so they don’t pull all the way out)?
• Do doors close properly and stay closed?

Common issues:

• Veneer peeling or bubbling
• Water rings on top surfaces
• Stripped screw holes (drawers won’t stay attached)
• Missing or mismatched hardware

Tables (dining, coffee, side)

For dining tables:

• Sit at each position—check for leg room and comfort
• Extend leaves if it has them; check mechanism works
• Look for warping (place a straightedge across the surface)
• Check underneath for structural damage

For coffee/side tables:

• Check stability under pressure (lean on it lightly)
• Look for ring marks from drinks
• Verify any glass is intact (no chips or cracks)

Finish check:

• Can scratches be refinished, or is it a laminate?
• Is the finish sticky (indicates degradation)?
• Are there deep gouges that go through the finish?

Brand quality tiers

Not all furniture brands are equal. Here’s a rough hierarchy:

High-end (worth paying more for used):

• Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, West Elm
• Crate & Barrel, Room & Board, Arhaus
• Ethan Allen, Thomasville, Drexel Heritage
• Any solid wood Amish or artisan furniture

Mid-range (good quality, reasonable prices):

• Ashley (higher-end lines)
• La-Z-Boy
• Flexsteel
• Older Bassett pieces

Budget (approach with caution):

• IKEA (some pieces hold up, others don’t)
• Wayfair brands
• Target/Walmart furniture
• Anything with no brand marking

The age factor: Older furniture from the 70s-90s was often built better than new mass-market pieces. That dark wood dresser from 1985 might outlast a new one from a big-box store.

Measuring: Don’t skip this

Furniture returns aren’t a thing on Marketplace. Measure twice.

Measure the item:

• Height, width, depth
• With cushions on (couches)
• With drawers open (dressers)

Measure your space:

• Where it will live
• All doorways and hallways it needs to pass through
• Stairwells with turns
• Elevator dimensions if applicable

The 2-inch rule: Subtract 2 inches from doorway width for maneuvering room. That 36-inch doorway effectively fits 34-inch furniture.

Pro tip: Take photos of your measurements and doorways. Compare on the spot before committing.

Negotiating furniture deals

Furniture has high margins for negotiation because:

• Sellers are motivated (it takes up space)
• Delivery is a hassle for them
• Items often need to go by a specific date

Effective approaches:

• “I can pick it up today with cash—would you take $X?”
• “I noticed [minor flaw]. Would you consider $X?”
• “I’m also looking at a similar piece for $X. Can you match?”

What gives you leverage:

• Offering immediate pickup
• Bringing help to move it (seller doesn’t have to assist)
• Paying cash
• Flexibility on timing (their schedule)

When not to lowball:

• Antiques or high-end pieces priced fairly
• Estate sales where executors just want it gone (already priced low)
• Items listed for months (price is probably firm or seller is difficult)

What’s a fair price?

Furniture depreciation is brutal. Use this as a rough guide:

Condition	% of Original Price
Like new (< 1 year)	40-60%
Good (1-3 years)	25-40%
Fair (3-5 years)	15-25%
Worn (5+ years)	10-20%

Exceptions:

• Antiques and vintage pieces can appreciate
• High-end brands hold value better
• Solid wood pieces retain more value than particleboard

Your inspection checklist

Before you go:

• Measured your space and doorways
• Asked for additional photos
• Confirmed pickup logistics (stairs, truck size needed)
• Brought: flashlight, tape measure, cash

In person:

• Bed bug inspection (seams, crevices, underneath)
• Structural integrity test (wobble, sit, lift)
• All moving parts work (drawers, recliners, hinges)
• No unusual odors (smoke, pets, mildew)
• Matches photos and description
• Final measurements confirm fit

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