Valuing second-hand furniture

[LaTrucha]

Does anyone know how to value furniture? I have to do it as I'm selling my mum's house. None of it is very distinguished but I need to give the buyer a price.

I haven't got a clue where to start.
I'm not even sure what topic to post this in!

You could go on eBay and look at completed auctions. Or flick through Gumtree to see what similar stuff is going for.

Seek a professional opinion about anything you suspect might be good antique furniture. I suspect most house clearance firms of being utter sharks who will happily give you a fiver for a Chippendale desk if they think they can get away with it.

Sorry to hear about this - it sounds like a stressful situation.

Thanks Ninedragons. Ebay is a good idea. I think you're probably right about clearance companies. Right now I'm tempted to just give the furniture away as we're getting a good price for the house.

Thanks again.

There are very worthy charities who would take it off your hands and use it for people who have nothing, so that's certainly an option.

You might get a tax write-off for it too, in that case.

Do you know which charities?

I'm afraid I don't, as I'm not in the UK, but I've seen them mentioned on here before. I think they're for people in crisis accommodation (refugees, women who've left abusive partners) If you put a post in Chat somebody should be able to help you.

I have given loads away to salvation army, womens hostels (although maybe no baby stuff at your Mum's ) and a local charity that sells on second hand furniture.

Try your local paper for companies selling furniture.

I give also to the local church as they know which families are in need.

Thanks Ninedragons.

Those are good ideas, Fizzylemonade. Thanks.

British Heart Foundation also run secondhand furniture shops. They will collect too.

It can be very difficult and upsetting to have house clearance people in, telling you they'll give you £50 the lot when it's your dear mum or dad's home.

Had to do this last year - managed to have two house clearance people in before saying 'no more'.

Thanks. I'll look them up.