Why Selling Old Furniture and Appliances in Singapore Isn’t Worth It (And What to Do Instead)

lisa A
Jun 6
2 min read

Published by Junk Value.

Thinking of selling your old furniture or appliances in Singapore? You’re not alone. Many people assume their preloved sofa, washing machine, or bulky cabinet still holds value just because “it’s still working.” Unfortunately, the reality is quite different—and for businesses like Junk Value, constantly explaining this myth has become part of the job.

If you’re wondering why nobody wants to buy your 10-year-old recliner or your noisy fridge, this post will break down the truth.

1. The Secondhand Market in Singapore is Overloaded

The demand for secondhand furniture and appliances is low, while the supply is overflowing. Why?

High-income environment: Many Singaporeans prefer new items, especially with frequent sales and 0% interest instalment plans.
Upgrading culture: Homeowners often renovate and replace everything, including perfectly working appliances.
Limited space: HDB and condo dwellers usually don’t have space to store extras, much less browse or hoard secondhand items.

2. Used Items Have Hidden Issues

Even if your appliance “works,” buyers are wary. Here’s why:

Older models consume more electricity—bad for utility bills and the environment.
Furniture may have hidden pests (hello, termites and bed bugs).
Moving costs often exceed the value of the item.

Would you pay $60 to transport a secondhand microwave someone’s selling for $20? Probably not.

3. Businesses Can’t Sustain Free Collection Services

We often get calls asking:

“Can you collect my old wardrobe for free? You can sell it right?”

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

At Junk Value, we don’t provide free disposal services because:

Transport, fuel, and manpower costs in Singapore are high.
Most items aren’t resellable or repairable.
Even if something looks valuable, reselling takes time, storage, and effort—with no guaranteed return.

We operate as a paid disposal and recycling service, not a charity or free pick-up service. If your item has resale potential, we might offer a small rebate—but this is rare.

4. Better Alternatives: Responsible Disposal

Instead of struggling to find a buyer or waiting for a miracle, here's what you can do:

Engage professional removal services like Junk Value for hassle-free collection.
Let us help you dispose of items responsibly—we recycle where possible and avoid illegal dumping.
Save your time, energy, and weekends trying to sell things that honestly no one wants.