Can you sell used mattresses

In most cases, mattress owners will not be able to sell their used model to a brick-and-mortar retailer. These establishments usually prefer to exclusively sell new mattress models. In the event that a brick-and-mortar store agrees to purchase a used mattress, the resale price will typically be quite low. Used mattress sellers typically have better luck using online marketplace sites like Amazon and Craigslist. Community-based websites, forums, and social media pages can also be valuable resources for used mattress sellers.

Many allow users to post ads directly on their sites. Sellers can supplement their digital advertising with physical postings in local newspapers and on bulletin boards throughout their community. Before attempting to sell a mattress to an individual purchaser, here are a few important considerations:. For more information about mattress types and prices, please visit the Tuck. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn More.

March 3, Written by Keith Cushner. Quick Overview Selling a used mattress is a multi-step process that includes determining a reasonable selling price, researching applicable state laws, pinpointing a sales venue, and providing sufficient product information for prospective buyers. In addition to original price, here are a few more factors that may affect the resale price of a used mattress: Years of use: The average mattress will need to be replaced after six to seven years of consistent nightly use.

Factors that affect the condition of the mattress include: Sagging or indentations in the mattress surface that measure one inch or deeper Splits or cracks in the sleep surface Coils, wires, and other metal parts protruding through the side wall Issues with the cover, such as loose threads or broken zippers Burns, cuts, scrapes, or other types of physical destruction Permanent stains, such as bodily fluids or food Lingering smells, including odors from tobacco products Buildup of dust mites and other allergens Sellers perks: Is the owner willing to deliver the mattress themselves?

Legal considerations for selling a used mattress include: Cleaning and sanitizing: In some states, used mattresses must be properly cleaned and disinfected before they can be sold by anyone, including private individual sellers. Re-covering: Some states will only approve the sale of a used mattress is new cover ticking is used.

Other states prohibit mattress owners from re-covering their mattress in order to hide stains or physical damage. I think that if you specifically state that it is used to whoever is buying it you are fine. From the Federal Trade Commission And is this addressed to regular folks or stores? Hendy - Click the link, it varies by state, e.

New York. Another FTC link. I've stated it's used Also, the NY link simply states that used can't be transported with new unless they've been sanitized Show 7 more comments. Active Oldest Votes. For starters, like almost every question that begins "is it illegal", the real answers are always : It depends on where you live, so Ask an actual lawyer.

What's left typically boils down to two things: In some states, it may be a legal requirement that the bed include a label stating that it includes second-hand materials.

Selling or leasing used mattresses; sterilization and disinfection, says: 2 Any secondhand mattress, pillow, bolster, featherbed or comfortable, unless since last used it has been thoroughly sterilized and disinfected by a reasonable process approved by the Department of Health and Social Services.

Improve this answer. KutuluMike KutuluMike 2, 1 1 gold badge 20 20 silver badges 22 22 bronze badges. Note that laws typically require sterilization which is nothing like mere sanitizing. How does this work? FYI, any time you ask a lawyer if something is illegal, they tell you "safer not to try it". Anoplexian yes, you can now lease beds and mattresses, and other furniture.

Silly as it sounds Lease is for a number of months or years, not hours used. In any case, proper research into local laws and requirements is a must.

You might also want to consider if your mattress is even in good enough condition to be sold in the first place. Your year-old mattress you've had since college probably isn't sell-worthy, but a mattress that has been used sparingly and has been maintained well might be. Natalie Angelillo, Vice President of Community at OfferUp also suggests taking into account household conditions, such as pets or smoking.

First and foremost, you want to make sure your mattress is clean—no one wants to buy someone else's stain-covered belongings. Again, depending on your local regulations, it might be necessary to have your mattress professionally cleaned and sanitized though this might be a good idea regardless , but if it's especially grimy, we recommend responsibly recycling it rather than selling. If you do decide to move forward with with selling, there are plenty of places to list your mattress.

Erin Carlyle, an editor at Houzz , also suggests asking local mattress retailers, "If you purchase a new mattress, sometimes the store will take the old one off your hands. Once you've determined where to sell, both Fish and Angelillo recommend gathering information around the brand, model, size, and age of the mattress to build a listing according to data from OfferUp, a "Queen" is the most commonly purchased mattress size, while a "King" mattress is the least popular.

According to her, an eye-catching listing is key to a successful transaction. If you're looking to make a quick sale, she suggests lowering the price to attract more buyers. So how much can you expect to make from selling your mattress?