So I've been fixing up old washers, dryers, and fridges in my garage for a while. Friends keep asking to buy them, and now I'm thinking about making it legit, selling locally on FB Marketplace and also listing on Mercari. Anyone here done both? I'm worried about shipping big stuff on Mercari, but maybe smaller appliances like microwaves are fine. Also, what's the deal with refurbished vs used? Do I need to label them a certain way? Any advice is welcome, especially from people who've actually sold appliances online.
appliance resale
I want to sell refurbished appliances locally and through Mercari
Mercari for appliances? I've sold a few small kitchen gadgets there but never anything with a plug. Shipping a microwave sounds like a nightmare—box size and weight will kill your profit. Local pickup is the way to go for the big stuff.
I've sold a refurbished mini-fridge on Mercari. It went okay but I undercharged shipping and ate like $30. Lesson learned: weigh and measure the box BEFORE listing. Also, buyers expect detiled photos of any scratches or dents. Be upfront about what 'refurbished' means to you—did you replace parts or just clean it?
Honestly, Mercari is a headache for anything over 20 lbs. Local sales are faster and you don't deal with returns. But if you do list on Mercari, use their shipping label and don't try to ship a dryer. That's just crazy.
Yeah, I was thinking only small appliances for Mercari—microwaves, toaster ovens, maybe a small fridge. The big stuff stays local. But what about pricing? How much markup do you put on refurbished vs what you paid for the broken unit?
Depends on your time. I usually aim for at least 3x parts cost, but if it took me 2 hours to fix, I add $40-50 for labor. Buyers don't care about your labor thouggh, so don't overprice. Check what similar used ones go for on Marketplace and undercut by 10%.
Wait, you're selling fridges from your garage? Do you offer any warranty? People get nervous about refurbished appliances because they might die in a month. Even a 30-day guarantee would help you stand out.
@MochaChaiLatte good point. I started offering a 14-day return window on my listings and sales went up. Just make sure you test everything thoroughly before selling. Also, take a video of it working—buyers love that.
Video is smart. I bought a 'refurbished' microwave once that sparked on day two. Seller ghosted me. Don't be that guy.
Thanks everyone. I'll start with a few small ones on Mercari and see how it goes. The warranty idea is solid—I'll do 14 days. And yeah, I'll definitely test and video each one. Appreciate the tips.