15 Stores That Sell Used, Consignment, + Scratch and Dent Furniture

William Lipovsky headshot William Lipovsky
Verified & Updated Jun 17, 2019

Short Answer

Stores that offer used furniture include Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Goodwill, and The Salvation Army. “Scratch and dent” or “as-is” sections are also available at many large furniture chains, including Ashley Furniture, Rooms To Go, and Value City Furniture. While finding the right piece can take more effort than buying new furniture, buying used or “scratch and dent” furniture offers an alternative to inexpensive furniture made from lower-quality materials like particle board. Below, we have the list of stores and websites where you can buy used or as-is furniture.

Where to Buy Used Furniture

Buying used furniture takes some patience and searching, but you can find items in very good condition at thrift stores or consignment shops and from private sellers. The stores and websites listed below either sell used furniture, or can connect you with local sellers who have furniture available.

When buying used furniture, it’s important to inspect the quality of the item — particularly if you are buying from a private seller, as sometimes scams do occur. Sales from resale stores and local sellers are typically final, meaning that if you find a major issue with the item after buying it, you cannot get a refund or request a repair.

In addition to the stores listed below, you may want to check local consignment stores and resale shops. Many consignment and thrift stores are independently owned or part of a smaller, regional chain.

Craigslist

  • About: Craigslist is the world’s largest online classified ads site. Ads are free to post and free to search, making Craigslist a popular platform for individuals selling items to find local buyers. If you find an item you are interested in, Craigslist allows you to contact the seller by email to make arrangements for purchase.
  • Pros: Sellers are often willing to negotiate on prices. Craigslist’s search function allows you to filter the results by distance from your home zip code.
  • Cons: You’ll need to arrange transportation for any items you purchase, as most sellers do not offer delivery. If you don’t own a truck, you may need to rent one, depending on the size of your purchase. Sales are usually final, so be sure to inspect items thoroughly before buying them. Most sellers also require payment in cash, though some may accept personal checks or money orders.
  • How to shop: Visit Craigslist to search your city or nearby cities

eBay

  • About: eBay is an online auction site listing a wide variety of items for sale, including used furniture and home decor.
  • Pros: eBay is a well-established, trusted platform for buying and selling. Buyers can pay with PayPal or a credit card. The website’s search function offers a lot of filtering options, and you can either bid on items or purchase them outright. Because the site is so popular, there is typically more than one of a given item available from different sellers.
  • Cons: Shipping costs can be high if you purchase large or heavy items. Because of these costs, some sellers restrict their listings to local customers only. However, if you’re able to arrange for pick up, you can filter the search results based on distance from your zip code.
  • How to shop: Shop online at eBay

Facebook

  • About: Facebook is a social media site and app featuring local person-to-person sales groups and a Marketplace section.
  • Pros: Since so many people utilize Facebook, it is becoming a popular platform for local person-to-person sales. Item listings usually include photos, descriptions, and the asking price. Some sellers are willing to negotiate prices.
  • Cons: You’ll need to make arrangements with the seller to view the furniture in person. For safety reasons, it is best to meet in a public place, but if the item is large, you may need to visit the seller’s home. You’ll also need a way to transport the item after purchase. Most transactions are cash-only.
  • How to shop: Visit Facebook and search for a local group or click on the “Marketplace” tab

Goodwill

  • About: Goodwill Industries is a non-profit entity that owns secondhand stores selling gently used, donated items including furniture and home decor.
  • Pros: Goodwill offers low prices — under $100 for most furniture items, even antiques. Most stores have a dedicated furniture section which, depending on the type of item you want to buy, may provide multiple options. Goodwill accepts cash and credit cards.
  • Cons: You may need to visit several stores to find an item matching your needs. Goodwill doesn’t thoroughly inspect or appraise furniture, so all items are “as-is” and may be well-used or missing parts. Often, any missing components will be listed on the item ticket, but you’ll still want to inspect each piece thoroughly before purchase. You will also be responsible for transporting your purchases.
  • How to shop: Find your nearest Goodwill

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

  • About: Habitat For Humanity is a non-profit organization that builds homes for low income families. It owns and operates non-profit resale stores called ReStores, which primarily sell home improvement goods and furniture.
  • Pros: Because all items are donated, prices tend to be low. Since the Habitat for Humanity ReStore focuses on home goods, it also tends to offer a more extensive selection than other resale stores, and often stocks better-quality items. ReStores accept cash and credit cards; some locations also accept checks.
  • Cons: Item selection varies, so if you find an item you like, it’s best to act quickly. Since ReStores are independently owned, policies will vary by location, but sales are often final. Be sure to conduct a detailed inspection of any items you plan to purchase. ReStores do not typically offer or arrange delivery.
  • How to shop: Find your nearest Habitat for Humanity ReStore

New Uses

Note: New Uses has limited locations in Illinois, Ohio, and Minnesota.

  • About: New Uses is a franchised consignment store focused on home goods and furniture.
  • Pros: New Uses specializes in upscale goods and offers a satisfaction guarantee. It features name brands like Ashley Furniture, Pottery Barn, and Crate & Barrel.
  • Cons: Since New Uses stores are independently owned, policies regarding returns and refunds vary by location. Inventory also varies by store and by day. The selection is continually changing, so if you see something you like, it’s best to make your purchase immediately.
  • How to shop: Find your nearest New Uses

The Salvation Army

  • About: The Salvation Army is a non-profit entity that owns secondhand stores selling gently used, donated items, including furniture and household items.
  • Pros: Because items are donated, prices tend to be low. Like Goodwill, most furniture items at The Salvation Army are priced under $100. The Salvation Army accepts cash and credit cards.
  • Cons: Item selection varies greatly by store; some stores have larger furniture sections than others. You may have to visit several stores to find what you’re looking for. The customer is also responsible for transporting the item(s) after purchase.
  • How to shop: Find your nearest Salvation Army

Where to Buy Scratch & Dent Furniture

Large furniture retailers usually have a section of the store featuring “scratch and dent” or “as-is” furniture. Furniture in this section may have been damaged in transit or have light wear from the showroom floor. Scratch and dent items are still usable, but the store cannot sell them at full price, so this section of the store often features significant discounts. Additionally, furniture stores may offer closeout or clearance prices on styles that have been discontinued or were used as floor samples.

Before purchasing scratch and dent furniture, be sure to inspect its condition. Most stores will tag the item with a note explaining its damage or defect. It is possible to find items that only have minor cosmetic issues, such as scratches which may be fixable.

Retailers typically don’t advertise scratch and dent items; they want customers to focus on and purchase full-retail items first. It’s best to call your nearest store to be sure it has an as-is section before visiting.

Ashley Furniture

Bassett Furniture

The Dump

Note: The Dump has 10 locations in Arizona, Illinois, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.

Ethan Allan

Havertys

La-Z-Boy

Rooms To Go Outlet

Note: Rooms To Go showrooms hold sales, but only the outlet stores offer as-is furniture deals.

Value City Furniture

Where to Buy Unfinished Furniture

Salvage stores sell reclaimed items from old houses such as doors, door knobs, wood, windows, bricks, and tiles. These stores typically don’t offer much furniture, but are a good source for decor and home improvement projects. If you’re interested in do-it-yourself furniture products, taking reclaimed wood from old houses and barns has also become a popular way to build unique dining room tables, headboards, shelves, or doors.

Salvage stores are locally owned and operated, so to find one near you, do a Google search for “salvage store.” You may also want to ask an interior designer or contractor for recommendations in your area. For sources of wood, see our articles on places that sell reclaimed wood and how to find old barn wood.

In Summary

While there are stores that sell brand-new, affordable furniture, consignment stores, thrift stores, private sellers, and furniture store “scratch and dent” sections provide more options for quality furniture at discounted prices. Stores like Goodwill and The Salvation Army, websites like Craigslist, and as-is sections at stores like Ashley Furniture and Value City Furniture are places where you can save on high-quality furniture.

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