How to Start Used Furniture Store
The purchase of furniture is one of the activities that move the country. Many people, however, when buying furniture for their home, do not always turn to new furniture stores and prefer to buy used and used parts, mainly because this is a way to save money.
Economy is not the only reason why people choose to buy used furniture. In addition to being an economical option and a good business opportunity, the use of used furniture is a trend with no deadline to end. Experts say that reuse is a trend not only in decoration, but also in many areas.
Buying reused furniture means saving wood, paints, varnishes and other materials, thus contributing to the preservation of the environment.
Thus, this type of business, in addition to presenting an important economic potential, can also be characterized as sustainable. By reusing pre-existing products, part of our natural sources are preserved.
For many architects and decorators, or even for lovers of antique pieces, the furniture found in used furniture stores is exclusive and falls much better in decorating a property than the models found in new furniture stores.
For this reason, betting on the used furniture store business can be an excellent opportunity for those who wish to undertake and work on their own.
The Used Furniture market is guaranteed to increase awareness of recycling and reuse of materials. Professionals are being motivated to build projects with environmental responsibility. And that is how selling used furniture can guarantee a reasonable extra income.
If you are thinking of opening a business in this area, check out some important tips and information on how to start up your used furniture store business below and get inspired to take the first step!
In Summary:
- Profile of a Used Furniture Store Seller
- Why Used Furniture?
- How to Start
- Success Tips
Profile of a Used Furniture Store Seller
When a used furniture store seller handles sales on a daily basis, it is very important to have the collaboration of a qualified used furniture salesman with consistent skills to add competitive potential to the business.
In this sector, it is necessary to have a lot of knowledge about the product, cordiality, education to deal with customers and, of course, facility to communicate with the public. After all, it is difficult to believe in those who do not pass on the conviction of your product or, even worse, who do not even know what they are passing on.
Therefore, it is necessary to know every detail of the service or product it offers, in order to pass on credibility to consumers. Here is how a used furniture store salesperson should act to guarantee good results for the business. Continue reading the content to check it out!
- Make a positive first impression
A good used furniture store business salesperson knows that his appearance, at least in the workplace, must fit the style of the company in which he operates. This includes clothing, hair, beard, makeup and even props you use, such as bracelets, earrings, piercings, jewelry, etc.
Each niche in the retail sector has a different audience and this influences what is or is not acceptable in the work environment. For example, the way a salesman at a sporting goods store dresses is not the same as a furniture retailer.
To make a good first impression, it is necessary to adapt to the company’s standard and the customer’s profile. Social clothes usually transmit a tone of credibility and experience, of course, maintaining common sense to avoid excesses.
- Have great negotiation skills
In this field, it is common for the customer to have a habit of haggling, asking for discounts, promotions or any type of advantage over the price of the product. Therefore, a used furniture store business employee must have a lot of negotiation skills.
After all, discounts and promotions exist in the retail sector precisely to increase the probability of closing sales and, consequently, increase the salesman’s power of argument.
The important thing is that the sales professional knows how to use his allowed percentage of discounts strategically, so that he does not lose the sale due to an implacable attitude.
However, it is important that you do not facilitate the price reduction early on in the approach. In other words, you need to have balance and intuition to manage your arguments and devices during negotiation.
- Listen to the customer and ask appropriate questions
The used furniture store business salesperson, before starting an aggressive approach, must know how to listen to the customer to identify their consumption profile and needs. This is important to know when to speak, asking appropriate and coherent questions.
He should offer the product only after he has understood what the customer really needs. For that, it is necessary to hear not only what he said, but also what he did not say. Unspoken needs can be exploited as an efficient source of sales.
In addition, care must be taken not to ask inappropriate questions and to offer unsolicited products or products that are not compatible with the consumer’s profile, as the customer may get the impression that they are not being valued.
- Add value to products
This is another factor that empowers the professional and increases his ability to negotiate with the client. After all, the professional who knows how to add value to the product he is selling is able to market anything.
The idea is to show a need that the consumer has, explicitly, presenting your product as the ideal solution. In a used furniture store business, there is a lot of scope for working with this concept.
Furthermore, the employee needs to know not only the name or basic description of the used furniture he is selling, but also to understand the differences between the manufacturing materials, possible accommodations for each type of furniture, according to the room in the house, among other aspects that add value to the product.
- Be clear and objective
Don’t be that used furniture store business salesman who talks a lot, as an attempt to impress the consumer or beat him by tiredness. This strategy may work for some people, but it is not a good model to follow. It is important to highlight that the consumer should not feel that he is wasting time. In this sense, the professional needs to be clear and objective in his approaches.
Thus, care must be taken not to confuse objective and concise answers with quick ones with a small amount of relevant content. Thus, before speaking it is necessary to stop, take a long breath and then start to respond. This pause conveys greater credibility and shows that you are preparing yourself before speaking.
- Present payment methods without interfering with your choice
Understanding the behavior of the consuming public in relation to personal finances is paramount. Remember that there are those who value a good discount, while others want to split up to the maximum. However, there are also those customers who do not have a credit card.
In this context, it is important that the used furniture store business seller does not interfere with the customer’s payment method. Because each consumer knows their financial conditions and knows which form of payment is the most advantageous for their pocket. Thus, it is important to only present the payment possibilities, always remembering that the customer cannot feel pressured.
- Use persuasion to your advantage
Persuasion, that is, the power to convince individuals, consists of an art that can bring about several changes in the company’s life potential. We can say that, in most cases, the consumer wants to be convinced. When this occurs, it means that he has found the ideal offer, which fits his needs.
In this context, the good news is that persuasion can be learned. Thus, connect each day in techniques that help you to be more persuasive, for example, accelerated delivery, gifts, free assembly, among other benefits that can be obtained with the purchase.
Thus, persuasion can provide several advantages for the seller, since the customer can make several purchases. And so, generate a good profitability for the organization and, possibly, a high commission.
Why Used Furniture?
Over the years, technology has completely changed the way we communicate and also buy anything. We are much more aware of what others say about a certain thing and we are not always willing to buy new things.
The famous collaborative economy has a lot to do with it. Why buy something new and pay a lot more for it, if I can buy used furniture from someone who is in perfect condition?
In addition to economy, as already mentioned above, the used furniture is charming and can compose a decoration well. So one way or another, having the right structure and a good form of dissemination, you can go far.
Of course, despite the great potential, money from a used furniture store does not come from heaven. You need to study, dedicate and work hard for it.
How to Start Used Furniture Store
For those who like the idea of contributing to sustainability and still having a business with high chances of prosperity at hand, I have listed tips on how to start up a used furniture store, read on.
- Planning
Before thinking about setting up a used furniture store, the entrepreneur must keep the main focus on planning. Without a good plan, the venture may not survive market changes and may close its doors in the first few months. Therefore, it is necessary to weave a good plan, with minute details, involving from the choice of the commercial point to the market study.
The initial investment may be costly, but it will be of utmost importance to engage the business. Investing in marketing and having a good reserve (working capital) also increases the chances of success of the enterprise. Only then, the company will be able to operate at full steam, to remain firm in the initial months.
2. Target audience
In the planning stage of your business, one of the first points that must be evaluated is the target audience. If you know who your business is for, it makes it much easier to make some decisions, especially in relation to choosing the location (which we will talk about later).
The used furniture store business has a very broad target audience, which goes far beyond architects, decorators, collectors and lovers of antique pieces.
One of the publics that usually look for used furniture stores in order to save money is that of university students who move from city or state and need furniture to set up their houses or apartments.
In addition to saving money, some specific customers turn to used furniture stores as this is an environmentally friendly practice.
This means that when thinking about setting up a used furniture store, you should keep in mind that it does not necessarily have to be residential parts.
It is possible to open a store specializing in office supplies, hairdressing salons, hospitals, restaurants, schools, newsstands, cafeterias, companies and others. Some organizations even purchase parts to reuse in the production of new furniture.
3. Location
In any business, one of the fundamental points that must be taken into account when planning is undoubtedly the location. A well located property can be a great differential for the enterprise and be decisive for its success.
To choose the property where you will build your used furniture store , it will be necessary to think not only about the good location of the point, but mainly about the target audience you want to reach and which, as we have seen, can be quite varied.
If you intend, for example, to sell used furniture to low-income people looking for these pieces to save money, the tip is to install your store in popular neighborhoods.
Now, if your target audience has greater purchasing power and you want to purchase used furniture to create unique decorations or for any other reason, you can set up your business close to shopping centers, preferably on streets and avenues with a large circulation of people.
In addition, the store can be installed close to other furniture stores, both new and used, which can attract customers looking for different options.
Remembering that, regardless of where you install your used furniture business, it is very important to keep the parts organized and the store clean. This can be a differential for attracting customers, in addition to contributing to the conservation of furniture.
You now have all the information you need to establish your used furniture store business plan.
The business plan has two objectives:
- Allow you to verify that your project is financially viable
- Serve as a reference document when looking for funding
Schematically, the business plan of a used furniture store contains two parts: a written part presenting the project and its assets, and a financial forecast aimed at highlighting the need for financing and, above all, the profitability potential of your business
5. Funding
Several options are available to you to raise the necessary sum to set up the project:
- You can call on private investors to strengthen your equity
- You can turn to the banks to try to finance part of your equipment or work on the premises
- You can launch a crowdfunding campaign to collect donations and promote your project
- You can look for help for setting up a business, such as a subsidy or tax relief
6. Structure and Equipment
Your used furniture store should have a space of at least 100 m², but this size can be larger depending on the size of the business. It is also interesting that the location can be expanded as your store expands.
As for the arrangement of the furniture, it is up to you to organize it in the best possible way, so that customers can view each piece without a problem.
In addition to the space for product display and customer service, your store must contain an administrative office room and an area for cleaning and repairing old furniture.
The good news for anyone who wants to know how to set up a used furniture store is that it will not be necessary to invest in the purchase of shelves and showcases, for example.
You will only need a counter to serve customers and other devices to make sales, such as a computer, invoice printer, credit and debit card machine, cash register, telephone, etc.
In the office area, you must place a desk, chair, computer and other elements that you deem necessary. For furniture repair, it may be necessary to purchase some joinery equipment.
Finally, do not ignore the decoration and layout of your store, including the facade, as this is a detail that, added to the organization and cleanliness of the place, can attract many more customers.
7. Getting furniture
This is one of the most important points of how to start up a used furniture store. Without the furniture, there is no business. Do you agree with me? So! This is the part that needs the most attention.
Luckily there is nothing complicated about that. You basically have two ways to get good things to sell:
- Buying diversified and beautiful furniture both from the ex-owner, as in bazaars, fairs and even other stores;
- Buying furniture and renovating it to improve it and sell it at a reasonable price. For that you need to be aware of the opportunities!
8. Marketing Strategy
Promoting your used furniture store is essential to attract new customers, starting with the facade of the property, which must be interesting and attractive, to the distribution of business cards and brochures in strategic locations.
Don’t forget to also tell the news to friends and acquaintances.
Another very effective form of dissemination is betting on the use of social networks, especially Facebook and Instagram, where you can add photos of the furniture used.
This strategy can be very useful to reach new customers, mainly architects, decorators and collectors, who make a kind of mining of old pieces on the internet.
In particular, you might consider the following actions:
- Creation of a showcase site with possibly a merchant space
- Implementation of a natural or paid referencing strategy on search engines
- Creation of a blog or newsletter
- Communication on social networks
- Implementation of a loyalty card system
- Dissemination of advertising campaigns at the local level: posters, local radios, local newspapers
- Launch of street marketing operations such as the distribution of flyers
9. Staff
The number of employees at a used furniture store will depend on the size of the business.
Many small stores usually have, on average, three employees: a salesperson, a person responsible for cleaning and repairing furniture, and the entrepreneur, who usually takes care of the administrative part.
As the business grows, you will be able to hire other employees to complete your team, such as janitor, cabinetmaker, salespeople and drivers, if you offer delivery service.
Being able to form a team of cool people is one of the things that most helps the business to grow. So from this whole list of how to set up a used furniture store, try to make the best of it here.
Success Tips
When we move to another property, we want our corner to be comfortable, beautiful and with our face, right? If you also want it and still feel the need to save, know that using used furniture used in decoration is an excellent way to assemble or renovate the home.
After all, they have much more affordable prices, give a special touch to the composition of your new home and there is still the possibility to personalize them so that they add even more value to your decor. Therefore, we have separated in this post valuable tips for you to choose good items. Follow!
1. Follow a decorating style
The variety of used furniture available for sale is incredible. Amid so many options, it is quite easy to find real relics and beautiful pieces. However, the first step in not making a mistake in choosing is to define what style of decoration you intend for your new home.
There are several lines to follow, such as vintage , classic, minimalist, clean, Scandinavian, rustic decoration , among others. Each of them has particular characteristics and the furniture are fundamental elements for the composition.
For example, the minimalist style requires furniture with straight lines. In turn, the rustic consists of furniture usually made of wood and with imperfections in its finish. Search and choose what has more to do with your lifestyle and the look you want to give to environments.
2. Analyze the size of the pieces
After choosing the style of the used furniture, it is important to analyze the size of the pieces. So, measure the dimensions of each room well and take them down when choosing used furniture. Or, take the measurements of the pieces you like and check if they will fit in the environment. Very large furniture compromises the decoration and circulation through the rooms.
In fact, remember that it is necessary to leave enough spaces for the passage of people and opening doors and drawers. It is recommended to leave at least 60 cm around the furniture to ensure a good circulation of residents.
3. Observe the conservation status
Contrary to what many people think, used furniture is not all badly maintained. There are several reasons why they are sold. In some cases, the old owners have moved to a place farther away and the freight for the move would be more expensive than buying new ones or the new property is less.
Or, yet, they decided to give a fresh look to the decor and opted for a style in which the old furniture no longer fit. Therefore, it is perfectly possible to find used furniture in very good condition, but you must always check.
Therefore, personally examine each part carefully and look for defects and imperfections. Turn them over so that you can see all sides and check that the supports are secure. If you have doors and drawers, check that they are working correctly.
If you have metal parts, check if they are rusty and, in the case of wooden furniture, check for holes and dust that are characteristic of termite.
4. Check comfort
Items such as beds, sofas, armchairs, stools and chairs must offer comfort, right? So, be sure to always try them out. It is not enough to analyze only its state of conservation. They are often in excellent condition, but they are not comfortable and that is precisely why the former owners decided to put them up for sale.
Still, in the case of mattresses and furniture with upholstery, such as sofas, armchairs, chairs and poufs, an item that must be analyzed very carefully is hygiene. Avoid stains. Also, remember that dirt is accumulated in the fibers. Therefore, mattresses, upholstery and pillows must be covered with plastic in the store to prevent dust, moisture and mold.
5. Check the possibility to choose items
Another important point to be analyzed is to check if it is possible to choose certain items. Generally, the store has more than one unit of furniture, such as benches, chairs and armchairs. In this case, if you do not need the whole game, note which ones are more conserved and negotiate if it is possible to purchase only a few pieces.
Some items may not have other options. The advantage is that you will have a totally exclusive piece in your decoration, just correct the possible defects or customize, as we will see below.
6. Prioritize cost-effectiveness
Even if there are some defects, there are many cases where the purchase is worthwhile, as the price pays off. Some imperfections need only a few repairs, such as new paint, newer coating, gluing or changing parts.
There is still the possibility to find high quality furniture but, because they are used, present a much lower price than a new one of the same model. Much of the old furniture was made of solid wood, which ensures good durability, strength and quality. Currently, a new part made of the same material has a high value.
7. Consider the possibility of customization
Customizing is an excellent solution for transforming used furniture into an exclusive item, which fits perfectly into your home decor and looks brand new. Unleash your creativity and personalize your furniture.
Paint with other colors, cover with vinyl paper, change the upholstery fabric, replace handles, in short, make changes that will make the object look and look stylish. Some furniture can be completely transformed, such as a new glass top on a period table, pieces of pallet that can become a counter, a rack, a headboard or even a sofa.
As you saw, it is possible to save on decoration and still make a composition totally exclusive to your home. Carefully follow the tips that we present throughout this post to not make a mistake in choosing used furniture, put your creativity into practice and enjoy the comfort and beauty of your new corner.
Start working
Look, there is no point in having read this text until the end, having learned how to set up a used furniture store and continue sitting dreaming and without taking action in your life. Things fly by and there is no better time to start chasing our dreams than now! Do your best and work day and night to have the life you’ve always wanted. It’s up to you, go for it!