If you want to clear your home of unused furniture and make an extra buck or two, selling items you no longer need can accomplish both.
There are some tricks to the selling process that will help you attract interested buyers and get the highest prices.
Whether the sale involves gently used furniture or handmade furniture, closing the transaction with a Furniture Bill of Sale is essential.
What is a Furniture Bill of Sale Form?
A bill of sale is used to show the terms of a sales transaction, including the agreed-upon price of the item.
It also proves that furniture ownership has changed from the original owner, the seller, to the buyer.
A furniture bill of sale is a legally binding document that records the purchase and sale of furniture. This document is ideal for large pieces like a dining room buffet or a couch or for smaller pieces like chairs or end tables.
Why Use a Furniture Bill of Sale?
The bill of sale for furniture is used to finalize the deal and to transfer ownership.
The seller and the buyer should keep copies as receipts showing that the furniture changed hands.
The document:
- Provides a record of the purchase
- Outlines the terms of the sales transaction, including the purchase price
- Protects both the new owner and the seller from later claims of theft or fraud
- Provides proof that a legal sale took place
How to Sell Your Furniture Online
Step 1- Prepare Items for Sale
First, if you are selling used furniture, be sure that you are selling gently used pieces that are worth selling. Broken or excessively worn furniture won’t sell well online.
You will be out the time and effort you spent creating a listing.
If the furniture is simply dirty or can be easily repaired, give it a new shine by cleaning the upholstery and removing any dust or debris.
Consider investing in a scratch-repairing furniture polish to minimize flaws in wood furniture.
Step 2- Determine an Asking Price
Setting a fair and reasonable asking price goes a long way in selling your furniture quickly. If you overprice a piece, you will have few interested buyers.
Consider the condition of your item and look at similar pieces being sold online to get an idea of how to price your furniture.
Pieces with many bids and interested buyers are probably right on the mark.
Step 3- Take High-Quality Photos
You will need several high-quality photos to use in your furniture ad. The better your images, the faster your items will likely sell, so don’t skimp on this step.
Take photos from various angles in sufficient neutral lighting. It helps to minimize any distractions in the background of your photos.
High-quality images allow potential buyers to see the color and details of the furniture you’re selling and decide if they’re interested.
Also, document any damage, tears, or other flaws with close-up photos. Hiding them will only turn interested buyers away if they feel you weren’t honest about the condition of the furniture.
Step 4- Create an Ad
Along with the photos you took, include a detailed description of the piece or pieces you’re selling, including:
- Furniture dimensions
- Asking price
- Whether pick up is local and if you will deliver or ship
- Brand and furniture store where the piece was purchased
- Any rips, scratches, or flaws
Step 5- Post Your Ad on Relevant Websites
Post ads online for a quick and inexpensive way to reach many prospective buyers.
Online sales sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace provide local listings and allow you to connect with buyers in your city or region, while eBay may require shipping items.
If you’re selling a larger piece, you may want to stick with local advertising, social media groups, or online classified ads targeted to your area.
Preparing, hauling, and shipping large or heavy pieces of furniture a long distance probably isn’t worth your time or effort.
Step 6- Meet with Prospective Buyers
Set up a time for interested buyers to see the furniture in person. Decide beforehand if the advertised price is firm or if you are willing to negotiate.
If a buyer is not local and you’re willing to ship a smaller piece, negotiate the terms of the sale, including the shipping costs upfront.
Be sure to collect payment before sending the item.
Step 7- Create a Furniture Bill of Sale
Fill out all pertinent sections of the bill of sale and have both parties sign and date the form verifying that all information is correct and accurate.
The seller and the buyer should retain copies of the completed furniture bill of sale for their records.
How to Write a Furniture Bill of Sale Form
Several elements should be included in your bill of sale template. These include:
Step 1 – Date, Time, and Location
You should record the date of the sale, the time it occurred, and the location.
If you’re selling handcrafted furniture as part of a small business venture, you may want to include your business name and location for tax purposes.
Step 2 – Identify Information for the Seller and the Buyer
Record the seller’s and buyer’s legal names, addresses, and contact information.
Step 3 – Describe the Furniture
Include the type of furniture sold and identifying features such as the brand, manufacturer, name or item number, color, material, and condition on the bill of sale form.
If the piece is to be sold as is, that information should be included as well.
Step 4 – Price and Form of Payment
The furniture sales price must be recorded on the bill of sale and any taxes assessed.
You should also include the payment method, such as cash, check, or electronic transfer.
Step 5 – Seller and Buyer Signatures
Both parties should sign and date the bill of sale, verifying that the information each provided was correct and certifying that the exchange took place.
Furniture Bill of Sale Sample
Below is an example of a furniture bill of sale form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a furniture bill of sale different from other bills of sale?
Does a bill of sale prove ownership of the furniture?
Yes. The bill of sale shows that ownership changed hands from the seller, the prior owner, to the buyer, the new owner. The seller’s signature indicates agreement to sell and the buyer’s signature indicates agreement to purchase. Both parties should keep a copy of the bill of sale if ownership is questioned. Should this happen, the bill of sale can be produced and clear up any confusion.
Is the furniture bill of sale applicable in purchasing used furniture?
Yes. A bill of sale is more likely to be used in private sales transactions than for furniture sold in a store or manufactured by a large corporation. It can also be used by small business owners who make furniture and sell it in private party transactions. It’s beneficial to track the taxable income you must report yearly as a small business owner.
