Marketplace bargains are only bargains if you can collect them. Most listings say collection only, and most sellers want the item gone quickly. A single-item van run solves both, and at £40 per hour for one man with the first 10 miles included, it is usually a small fraction of what the furniture would cost new.
Measure before you commit
Ask the seller for three numbers before you agree anything: width, depth and height. Then measure your own doorway, hallway turn and stair. A three-seater that fits the room but not the close is the most common expensive mistake in secondhand furniture.
Also ask what floor the item is on at the seller's end. A wardrobe on a second floor with no lift is a two-man job, not a one-man job, and that changes the price.
- Get width, depth and height from the seller in writing
- Measure your narrowest turn, not just the door
- Ask what floor the item is on at both ends
- Ask whether it comes apart
Timing the collection
Sellers usually want same-day or next-day collection, so agree a two-hour window rather than an exact minute, and give us both postcodes as early as you can. We confirm on WhatsApp and send a message when the van is on its way.
For high-demand items, tell the seller your collection is already booked with a van. It is often the reason a seller picks one buyer over another.
What a single-item run costs
Most single-item collections in the Central Belt take one to two hours door to door. That is £40 to £80 with one man, or £70 to £140 with two men where the item is heavy or has stairs at either end, plus £1 per mile beyond the first 10.
If you have bought several items from different sellers, say so — combining them into one route is nearly always cheaper than three separate call-outs.
Protecting the item in transit
Blankets, straps and floor protection come as standard. Upholstery is wrapped, glass and mirrors are padded and carried upright, and everything is strapped to the van wall rather than stacked loose.
Take a quick photo at the seller's door before it is loaded. It takes five seconds and settles any question about pre-existing marks on a secondhand item.
Frequently asked questions
Can you collect from IKEA or a retail warehouse?+
Yes. Braehead, Glasgow retail parks and trade counters are routine runs. Give us the order reference and collection times and we work to their slot.
Can you pay the seller for me?+
No. Pay the seller directly before or at collection; we handle the transport only.
Will you take the old sofa away at the same time?+
Yes. Combining a delivery with a waste clearance on the same visit avoids a second call-out and is usually the cheapest way to swap furniture.