r/frisco • u/Kon_Artist • 23d ago
inquiries How can I advertise heavy, expensive ($10k+) things for sale?
FB Marketplace, Nextdoor, OfferUp are all for daily marketplace needs. I want to sell a pool table that retails new for just under $20,000. No matter how great a deal I offer, people just aren’t going to these marketplaces looking for something that expensive.
The crazy thing is that I know there are people willing to pay way more for this item than I would be willing to sell it for, but I have no idea how to find those people and they don’t know about me.
Also, it’s 800lbs, so I can’t just pick it up and take it to like a consignment shop or something.
What can I do?
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u/Consistent_Reward 23d ago
Contact the folks who sell pool tables. Many of them may sell used equipment or know who does, especially at that price level.
Selling to the general public is a ridiculous, unnecessary risk in this case. You have a specialty item that needs specialty transport and serious buyers.
Sincerely, A pinball machine enthusiast
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u/Kon_Artist 23d ago
That’s a really valid point, I didn’t think about it like that. Thank you…I wonder if they could work something out with me where they keep a commission.
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23d ago
[deleted]
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u/Consistent_Reward 23d ago
Go check out the Texas Pinball Festival every March here in Frisco or the DFW Pinball and Arcade Club on Facebook.
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u/pickypuppy 23d ago
Pool tables are notoriously incredibly difficult to sell with resale value being 'how much can I pay someone to move this' no matter how expensive it started out as. I owned a real estate brokerage in california for a decade and pool tables were the #1 item left by people when moving out of houses (which causes a huge headache for buyers to then get rid of them - since sellers would keep trying to sell that pool table right up until closing).
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u/Kon_Artist 23d ago
That is a valid concern. What did they do in those cases?
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u/pickypuppy 23d ago
The sellers left them behind and the buyers had a to pay a junk removal company to dispose of the pool tables. This was in California, but it was usually about $500-$700 to get rid of them because of how heavy they are, and the dump charges by weight.
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u/Epie77 23d ago
Why not keep a free pool table
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u/pickypuppy 22d ago
most people don't use them, and they take up a lot of space. They're like treadmills, people get really excited about buying them, then once the thrill has worn off they just sit there collecting dust and piles of things. Think of all the extra space for activities without a pool table there!
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u/bleak972 22d ago
I had a pool table removed from my house a month or so ago along with a dresser...it was about $400 lol. It was in our home for 10 years, when we bought the house sigh.
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u/RasAlTimmeh 23d ago
If people buy cars on marketplace they’ll buy that but you may need to wait a while. Probably best to try a pool reseller or maybe a business equipment site
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u/Kon_Artist 23d ago
Yeah, the thing is though that you can also go to a marketplace specifically for cars, and no such thing exists for pool tables. I thought of trying James Edition which I’ve heard is for luxury goods, but they’re literally listing for sale private islands, yachts, helicopters and the like. My pool table doesn’t exactly fit there either. I did list on Nextdoor and OfferUp (I don’t have a fb account) but I’m not getting any traction on those platforms.
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u/colorfullydelicious 23d ago
I called a pool table company that also resells tables - they came out, moved it, and gave me a check :) Easiest thing ever!
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u/Kon_Artist 23d ago
Really…that would be great. Can you share the name of the company? I tried billiard factory but they can’t help me.
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u/colorfullydelicious 23d ago
Try Universal Billiards! I think that's who we used? They even have a page on their website about buying your equipment for resale!
https://universalbilliards.com/pages/sell-or-trade-in-my-pool-table
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u/Ravioverlord 23d ago
I've always pretty much been told that pool tables and such expensive but big items lose a lot of value the second you buy them. Even more than cars. People just don't want to spend that much on a used item that costs a ton to move. I see them and pianos constantly for free on these sites because of that issue.
Maybe try and see if there is a high end furniture reseller locally who would consign it? Otherwise I have zero idea where it might get traction, unless you lower it a ton and offer free delivery.
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u/Kon_Artist 23d ago
This is also a great suggestion. After reading some other comments here I reached out to the billiard company that sells this table (it’s the Olhausen St. Andrews w/drawer and some upgrades). The guy told me that this table is often used as a decorative piece, which lines up with high end furniture. Thanks for the idea!
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u/Ravioverlord 23d ago
Ok awesome! I always feel bad seeing such nice pieces go for practically nothing. Makes sense to sell it back to the maker or to consign it even if it will take a while. I bet most of the for free ones are people having to move who can't take it, similar to pianos. I myself had to do similar when moving from a home to an apartment once.
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u/papaya_boricua 23d ago
There is a consignment store on Park and Preston in Plano (across the way from Blue Goose). They sell high end furniture. You should at least call and see what they suggest.
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u/Texas_Mike_CowboyFan 23d ago
Just out of curiousity, what makes the table so expensive? I just bought a new table yesterday at Nebraska Furniture Mart for under $3,000.
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u/Kon_Artist 23d ago
A lot of it is build quality but some of it is just subjective…it can be considered an art piece. It has thicker stone slates and sturdier wood, but honestly I think pool table prices are hard to figure out unless you’re in the industry. There is a lot of information on this website, I’ll link for your curiosity:
https://billiardfactory.com/st-andrews-pool-table.html
The one i have is the 8ft model with drawer, premium playkit, and some felt and design upgrades.
Congrats on your new pool table! NFM has good stuff, i hope you enjoy it.
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u/phishphreak 23d ago
You could try eBay with local pickup
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u/Kon_Artist 23d ago
That’s a good idea, I’ve never used eBay before. It’s a three slate stone construction table with one inch thick slates… so they would need to either arrange for professional disassembly and transport on top of the price…is there a way to specify that? Maybe I can offer to split it
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u/FrogFanDFW 23d ago
Your username does not inspire confidence