When you buy furniture on Facebook Marketplace in Liverpool, measure it and your home before you agree to buy, check the stairs and doorways at both ends, agree a collection time with the seller, and sort payment with the seller directly. Then book a man and van to collect it and bring it to you. We handle the collection and delivery. The deal itself, including payment, is between you and the seller.

Second-hand furniture can be a brilliant buy, but it’s easy to get caught out by a sofa that won’t fit up the stairs or a seller who disappears. Here’s how to get it right.

Measure Before You Buy

This is the number one thing that goes wrong. A wardrobe looks perfect in the photos, you pay for it, and then it won’t go through your front door.

Before you agree to buy, ask the seller for:

• The height, width and depth of the item
• For sofas, the measurement diagonally from the top of the back to the front of the seat, which matters for getting it round tight corners
• Whether it comes apart, such as removable legs, sofa arms or a bed frame that unbolts

Then measure your own home. Check the front door, any internal doors, the hallway and the stairs, including any turns or low ceilings on the landing. A lot of Liverpool terraces have narrow hallways and steep stairs, so a big piece of furniture that fitted easily in a modern flat might not fit in your house.

Check Access at the Seller’s End

It’s just as important to know what the collection will involve. Ask the seller:

• Which floor the item is on, and whether there’s a lift
• Whether it’s already been taken apart or needs dismantling
• Where the van can park, and how far it is from the door
• Whether anyone will be there to help, or to let us in

Pass these details on to us when you ask for a quote. Stairs and access make a big difference to how long a collection takes. We can take furniture apart and rebuild it, so if a bed or wardrobe needs dismantling, let us know in advance.

Arranging Collection With the Seller

Once you’ve agreed to buy, agree a collection time that works for the seller. A few tips:

• Get the full address and postcode, not just the area.
• Get a phone number for the seller in case of any problems on the day.
• Agree a time window rather than an exact minute, as traffic can vary across the city.
• Tell the seller who’s collecting. If you won’t be there, let them know a van is coming on your behalf.
• Confirm the day before to make sure the item is still available and the seller will be in.

We’re open seven days a week from 8am to 9pm, which makes it easier to find a slot that suits the seller too. We recommend booking at least two days ahead, but short notice is often possible if a bargain comes up quickly.

Paying the Seller

You arrange payment with the seller directly. We collect and deliver the item, but we’re not part of the sale and we don’t take payment on the seller’s behalf.

A few sensible precautions:

• Agree the price and the payment method in writing in your Marketplace messages before collection day.
• Be wary of anyone asking for a large deposit before you’ve seen the item, or pushing you to pay urgently.
• If you can, view the item in person, or ask a friend to view it, before you pay in full.
• Keep a copy of your messages and any receipts.

If you can’t be there on the day, make sure payment is fully sorted with the seller before the van arrives, so the collection isn’t held up.

Staying Safe When Buying Second-Hand

Most Marketplace sellers are genuine, but it’s worth being careful:

• Check the seller’s profile. A brand new profile with no history is worth a second look.
• If a price looks far too good to be true, ask more questions before committing.
• View in daylight if you can, and take someone with you.
• Check for damage and pests. Look closely at seams, joints and underneath upholstered items.
• Check electrical items power on before you buy them.
• Never share bank login details or codes with anyone, whatever reason they give.

How a Marketplace Collection Works With Us

Our Marketplace collections service is made for exactly this. It works like this:

• Send us a screenshot or photo of the listing, both postcodes and any access details on WhatsApp.
• We’ll come back with a clear price, usually within the hour, agreed before you book.
• You confirm the collection time with the seller and sort payment with them.
• We collect the item, load it carefully and bring it to your door.
• If it needs reassembling, we can put it back together for you.

Prices start from £50, and your item is fully insured while it’s in our care. If you’ve bought a one-off piece somewhere other than Marketplace, our single item delivery service works the same way.

Buying From Further Away

Sometimes the perfect piece is listed in Birkenhead, Southport or even further afield. We collect within around 100 miles of Liverpool, so a sideboard from the Wirral or a table from Manchester isn’t a problem. Just send both postcodes and we’ll price it. You can see where we regularly work on our areas we cover page.

What About Getting Rid of Your Old Furniture?

If your new sofa is replacing an old one, you might need the old one gone. Our furniture removal service takes away unwanted furniture and household items. It isn’t for general waste, so bags of rubbish need to go out with the bins. If you book both at once, tell us and we’ll plan them together.

Ready to Collect Your Bargain?

Found something you love? Send us the listing, both postcodes and a few details on WhatsApp and we’ll give you a clear price for the collection, usually within the hour. We’re open seven days a week, 8am to 9pm.