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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be offended that no one wants my sofa

139 replies

Chocolatemoosecups · 01/10/2025 15:54

We have an old leather sofa that we are trying to get rid of as we need the space.
It’s been a great sofa-still comfy to sit or lie on, clean, no major scratches etc. It does look quite wrinkly now but I don’t think it’s that bad-I thought at least someone would want it for their dogs or something.

I advertised it on market place for a tenner for weeks then dropped the price to free a few weeks ago.

One charity shop came to collect it but wouldn’t take it (luckily they took some other furniture so it wasn’t a wasted trip)
I’ve just shown a photo to another charity shop who have also said no thank you because the leather is quite wrinkly.

I felt quite offended on behalf of my faithful sofa especially as there were definitely some worse specimens on display in the shop!

Now the only option is to chop it up and take it to the tip which seems a real shame.

it’s got the relevant fire labels so it’s not that.
Maybe I’m just blind to how it looks!

OP posts:
ButSheSaid · 01/10/2025 16:13

The only way I would ever accept a free sofa (provided it looked great and was in pristine condition) is if it was delivered.

Anything else is a massive inconvenience.

NinaGeiger · 01/10/2025 16:10

When I was getting rid of a sofa on eBay/Marketplace I found it was just the logistics - people don't need a new sofa very often and of those, the amount that have a access to a van is small.

nomas · 01/10/2025 16:10

DaisyChain505 · 01/10/2025 16:08

Sofas are notoriously hard to get rid of. Even when they’re free because people usually don’t have the means to collect.

Also they’re quite a personal item. It’s something that your family have sat on for years and some people find it weird to use someone else’s well used sofa!

Yes, this. I don’t want a sofa other people have farted on!

Especially after threads on MN about men who don’t wipe their arse properly after a shit and therefore leave a lingering smell on sofas.

DaisyChain505 · 01/10/2025 16:08

Sofas are notoriously hard to get rid of. Even when they’re free because people usually don’t have the means to collect.

Also they’re quite a personal item. It’s something that your family have sat on for years and some people find it weird to use someone else’s well used sofa!

fatphalange · 01/10/2025 16:07

Pay the council to come and dispose of it if need rid of it.

Mayflower282 · 01/10/2025 15:59

Put a post that says “can arrange delivery for a small fee” and then use anyvan.com to give them a quote.

isitmyturn · 01/10/2025 15:59

I have a corner sofa set in leather. It's as good as new but I can't give it away.
I can only assume that the grotty ones on marketplace never actually sell.

Seawolves · 01/10/2025 15:58

I think a big problem for lots of people looking for secondhand sofas is transport. The sofa might be £10 but unless they have a vehicle large enough then how do they get it home?

Fayaway · 01/10/2025 15:58

I've had mixed success with charity shops - I called one about my lovely plum Laura Ashley sofa, the woman had a look round the shop and decided that because there was another purple one on the shop floor it wasn't required! It wasn't old, very clean and all compliant labels.

Arlanymor · 01/10/2025 15:57

Gumtree Freebies? Do you have any community centres local to you? Any charities that have a seating/waiting area?

Comedycook · 01/10/2025 15:57

I see people in my local Facebook page giving away sofas all the time...I could do with a new one and some look nice but it's getting it picked up and transported that's the issue. I think that puts most people off

dontcomeatme · 01/10/2025 15:57

Try gumtree free section too.

GasPanic · 01/10/2025 15:57

Maybe they don't want it for the same reason you don't want it.

Gagagardener · 01/10/2025 15:55

Try it on Freecycle.