They Said Free Pickup — But Then Quoted $100?
- Junk Value
- Jul 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 31
📞 Need bulky junk removed? Contact Junk Value!📱 WhatsApp: 9145 9514
🌐 Website: www.junk-value.net🕙 Operating Hours: 10am – 6pm, Monday to Saturday
⚠️ Disclaimer: Junk Value is an independent, privately owned business. We are not affiliated with any company offering “free disposal” services. We charge reasonably for responsible collection, transport and sorting.
You Google “junk removal in Singapore.”You see a promising ad:
“Free pickup! Same day! Fast response!”
You send over a photo of your old sofa, or maybe a washing machine.And suddenly the tone changes.
“Sorry, no value. Disposal is $100.”Or worse — no reply at all.
Sound familiar?
You're not alone. This bait-and-switch tactic is common — and frustrating. Let’s break down why it happens, what “free” really means in junk removal, and how to avoid wasting time (or getting quoted double last-minute).
🚩 The “Free Pickup” Trap
Many junk buyers and dealers advertise free collection — but there’s a catch.
What they really mean is:
“I’ll collect it for free if I can resell it and make a profit.”
If your item has no resale value, that “free” magically becomes:
$60 to $100 for furniture
$30 to $80 for appliances
$120+ if it’s bulky, upstairs, or hard to remove
💬 Real Example:
You: “Hi, can you collect this 4-door wooden wardrobe? Still in decent condition.”Collector: “Any scratches?
You: “Yes, some.
Collector: “No resale. Can clear for $90.”
You: “But your ad says free?
Collector: “Only if it’s resellable.”
That’s not a scam — it’s just not clearly communicated upfront.
Because the secondhand market is saturated.
Many junk collectors aren’t actually disposal teams — they’re resellers looking for:
Clean, working appliances (≤5 years old)
Branded furniture in demand
Items they can sell in JB or Carousell
If it doesn’t fit those criteria? You’re now a cost, not a profit — and you’ll be quoted accordingly.
Even if they “still work”:
Big wardrobes over 5 years old
Outdated fridges, washing machines
IKEA furniture with loose joints
Microwaves, kettles, blenders
Dented or rusty metal items
In other words: most of the junk people want removed.
Here’s when you might get actual free pickup:
Your item is clean, working, and resellable
You’re giving away multiple items that can be flipped
You’re on the ground floor with easy access
You’ve had prior dealings with the vendor
Otherwise? Expect a quote — and the more upfront the vendor is, the better.
Because they’re not guessing resale value. They’re quoting for:
Labour (carrying, dismantling)
Transport (lorry, petrol, manpower)
Legal disposal fees
Schedule coordination
Risk (damages, stairs, heavy lifting)
They show up, they do the work, and the job gets done — regardless of resale value.
To avoid surprise charges, ask these 3 things upfront:
“Is there any cost involved even if there’s no resale value?”→ This filters out vague promises.
“Do you do the removal even if it’s from an upper floor / requires dismantling?”→ Not everyone does full-service junk removal.
“Can you quote based on these photos and details?”→ Send multiple angles, show surrounding space, describe the location.
❗️Red Flags to Watch Out For
Ads that only say “Free” with no conditions
Vague replies like “Can collect” with no price
Last-minute changes after they arrive
“Collector” shows up in a car, not a lorry
Unwilling to confirm pickup details in writing
These all suggest it’s not really a removal service — it’s a buyer trying their luck.
If your item is clearly junk — or you just want it gone quickly, safely, and legally — don’t waste time chasing free pickups that come with strings attached.
Paying for professional junk disposal saves you:
Wasted time
Stress
Legal risks (for illegal dumping)
Last-minute ghosting or upcharges
At Junk Value, we’ll:
Quote clearly (with or without resale)
Offer resale offset when possible
Turn up when we say we will
Handle stairs, lifts, and dismantling
Never ghost you when the item “has no value”
💬 WhatsApp us directly
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