Hey there, furniture lovers! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for stylish pieces to upgrade your space without blowing your budget. That‘s why I was excited to try out AptDeco, an online marketplace for buying and selling preowned furniture. I‘ve bought and sold a few pieces on AptDeco over the past year, so I‘m here to give you my honest, firsthand take.
What Is AptDeco?
First, let me break down what AptDeco is all about. Basically, it‘s a website and app where people can list their gently used furniture for sale, and shoppers can scoop up those secondhand gems for a fraction of the original price. AptDeco started in New York City in 2013 but has since expanded to a bunch of other metro areas like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Dallas.
The company‘s goal is to make buying and selling used furniture easy and painless. For sellers, AptDeco handles the payment processing, pickup and delivery so you don‘t have to. For buyers, you can browse a curated selection of preowned pieces from popular brands like West Elm, CB2, Restoration Hardware and more. It‘s kind of like thrifting from the comfort of your couch.
My Experience Buying on AptDeco
I‘ll admit I was a little hesitant to buy furniture sight unseen, but AptDeco makes the process really transparent and secure. Whenever I find a listing I‘m interested in, I always scope out the photos super carefully and read the description line by line. Sellers are encouraged to mention any flaws or signs of wear, so you usually know what you‘re getting. If I have any questions, I just shoot the seller a message through the app.
One of my favorite AptDeco scores was this vintage midcentury dresser that I got for just $250 (retails for over $1,000!). The sellers were super responsive and sent me extra photos of the corners and drawers so I could check the condition. I also love that you can filter your search by location to avoid crazy shipping costs. In my experience, AptDeco‘s delivery team is really professional and communicative about when to expect your item.
Of course, buying used furniture is always a bit of a gamble. I‘ve had a couple pieces arrive with minor scuffs or wobbles that weren‘t mentioned in the listing. AptDeco does have a return policy where you can send back the item within 2 days for a refund. But for me, the savings are usually worth the small imperfections.
My Experience Selling on AptDeco
I‘ve also had good luck selling furniture on AptDeco and it‘s way less of a hassle than dealing with Craigslist randos. Whenever I have a piece to sell, I just snap some well-lit photos, write an honest description, and set my price (AptDeco gives you a suggested price range based on similar items).
Interested buyers can message you with questions or click to buy the item outright. AptDeco takes a cut of each sale, between 19-38% depending on the item price. I was a little shocked by the fees at first, but I like that I don‘t have to coordinate payment or play delivery truck. In my experience, items tend to sell within a few weeks as long as you price competitively. It‘s an easy way to recoup some cash on pieces you‘re no longer loving.
AptDeco‘s Quality, Pricing & Selection
Now I know what you really want to know: Is AptDeco legit? Can you really find good stuff? In my experience, yes! The site does a great job curating stylish, good quality pieces and I rarely see any junk. That said, the selection does vary a ton based on what people in your area are selling. Some days I‘ll scroll through pages of swoon-worthy finds, and other times the pickings are slim.
Price-wise, AptDeco items are usually 30-70% off the original retail price depending on age, brand, and condition. I snagged an Article couch for $650 that retails for $1,299. On the flip side, I‘ve definitely seen some items priced way too high for their wear and tear. Always comparison shop and use your judgment.
To give you a sense of what‘s available, here‘s a breakdown of AptDeco‘s inventory in New York City right now:
| Furniture Type | Number of Listings | Average Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sofas & Sectionals | 935 | $580 |
| Dining Tables | 701 | $350 |
| Dressers & Chests | 512 | $280 |
| Coffee & Side Tables | 1,382 | $180 |
| Desks | 322 | $210 |
Data source: AptDeco NYC Furniture page as of March 2023
As you can see, there‘s a pretty wide range of items and price points. Some other stats to note: AptDeco has facilitated over $50 million in secondhand furniture sales since launching and kept more than 3 million pounds of furniture out of landfills. So you can feel good about buying sustainably!
How AptDeco Stacks Up to Other Resale Sites
If you‘re a frequent secondhand shopper like me, you‘re probably wondering how AptDeco compares to other furniture resale options. Here‘s my take:
Craigslist & Facebook Marketplace: These sites definitely have the widest selection and lowest prices, but you‘re on your own for pickup and have zero buyer protections. I‘ve scored some amazing deals but also had a few flaky sellers and no-shows. Overall, Craigslist and FB Marketplace are best if you have a truck and don‘t mind a little risk.
Chairish: I love browsing the unique vintage finds on Chairish, but the prices are significantly higher than AptDeco, often only 15-30% off retail. Sellers also need to arrange their own shipping or local pickup. But if you‘re after a very specific style of piece, Chairish is a great place to look.
1stDibs: This site is definitely for the luxury buyer, with antiques and high-end designer pieces that cost thousands of dollars. You‘ll find some stunning, one-of-a-kind furniture but it‘s not for the average budget. Unlike AptDeco, 1stDibs items are usually sold by vetted dealers rather than individuals.
Kaiyo: This newcomer is very similar to AptDeco in its end-to-end white glove service and focus on stylish preowned pieces. I haven‘t bought from Kaiyo yet but I like that they offer free pickups for sellers and plant a tree with every order. Their delivery fees look a bit steeper than AptDeco, though.
Ultimately, I think AptDeco hits a sweet spot by offering a good mix of quality control, buyer protection, and all-in-one service without the high-end prices of sites like 1stDibs. Of course, the trade-off is a smaller, more curated selection than a local listserv. But for my money, the 2-day return policy and help with heavy lifting is worth it.
Tips for Shopping & Selling on AptDeco
Alright, so you‘re ready to give AptDeco a spin? Here are my insider tips for getting the best deals and selling your items fast:
When buying:
- Always ask for more photos if you‘re not sure about condition
- Don‘t be afraid to negotiate price using the "make an offer" button
- Save searches for your favorite brands or styles to get alerts on new listings
- Check the item dimensions and delivery fees before buying
- Choose your delivery window carefully to make sure you‘ll be home
When selling:
- Take well-lit photos from multiple angles and be honest about any flaws
- Do a quick search for similar items to price competitively
- Respond quickly to buyer questions to build trust
- Choose "Steals and Deals" tier for maximum exposure
- Make sure your item is clean, assembled, and ready to go on pickup day
The more communication and transparency between buyers and sellers, the smoother your AptDeco experience will be. I always appreciate when sellers go the extra mile with detailed photos and quick responses. And as a seller, I‘ve found that pricing just slightly lower than other listings can help my items move faster.
The Verdict on AptDeco
Overall, I‘ve had a super positive experience with AptDeco and would definitely recommend it to my fellow furniture lovers. It‘s not always perfect – you might have to deal with the occasional ding or delay. But for scoring some serious furniture deals and decluttering your space the easy way, AptDeco is a go-to.
A few caveats: I‘d say AptDeco is best for patient bargain-hunters who don‘t need something right away, since the selection is limited to what people list. It‘s also ideal for folks who live in cities with limited access to cars or just want to avoid the hassle of transporting furniture. I probably wouldn‘t use AptDeco if I needed a very specific piece on a tight timeline.
Buying and selling used furniture can feel a bit intimidating, but I love how AptDeco makes it feel safe and simple. Plus, keeping furniture in circulation is so much better for the planet than always buying new. So next time you‘re in the market for a decor refresh, I definitely recommend checking out AptDeco‘s listings. And if you‘ve got a piece to sell, give AptDeco a try to earn back some of your investment without the Craigslist creep factor.
I hope this honest AptDeco review has been helpful for anyone considering the online preowned furniture life. Got an AptDeco success story or not-so-great experience? Let me know in the comments. And if you‘re hungry for more furniture shopping tips, I‘ve got tons of reviews and guides over on my blog, YourFashionistaFriend.com. Happy hunting!
