How to buy cheap furniture and appliances at expat moving sales

Quick answer: Moving sales (moving sales) from foreigners are an excellent opportunity to buy high-quality furniture and appliances at clearance prices. To take advantage of them, search in expat groups, verify that electrical equipment is compatible with 110V, negotiate for the entire apartment, and coordinate your own transport to close the deal on the same day.

The secret to "Moving Sales" in Colombia

If you are looking to furnish your apartment in Medellín, Bogotá, or Cartagena, you have probably already realized that new furniture made of good wood and appliances from well-known brands are through the roof. But there is a parallel market that many locals overlook: international moving sales from expats.

Foreigners returning to their home countries often liquidate all the furniture in their apartments in a very short time due to the end of their lease agreements. Since they cannot take a refrigerator or a sofa on a plane, they end up selling high-end items, with very little use, at half price or less. It is the perfect scenario for hunting for real deals without having to haggle to the extreme in traditional second-hand shops.

Watch out for the electricity: Do foreign appliances work here?

Before you get excited about that Italian coffee maker or that giant TV, you have to check the electrical compatibility. Fortunately, the standard residential voltage in Colombia is 110V-120V at a frequency of 60Hz, identical to that of the United States and Canada. This means that appliances imported from North America work here without the need for transformers.

The plugs used in Colombia are type A (two flat pins) and type B (two flat pins and one round grounding pin). If you brought equipment from Europe or Asia (which operate at 220V-240V), you will need a heavy and expensive voltage transformer so you don't burn them out. Honestly, I would skip those European appliances unless the seller includes the transformer.

Where to find these moving sales before they're gone

The trick to finding these bargains is to look where they post, not where you usually shop. Expats rarely use MercadoLibre because they prefer to deal with people who speak their same language or are within their trusted circles to sell everything quickly.

• Facebook Groups: Look for communities like Medellin Expat and Tourist Info o Bogota Expats. At the end of each month, you will see dozens of posts titled "Moving Sale" or "Leaving Colombia Sale".
• Classifieds platforms: Sites like local platforms with no commission are gaining traction among foreigners looking to reach both other expats and Colombian buyers.

Negotiation strategies: The power of the "full package"

When a gringo or European has a flight scheduled for Friday and has to hand over an empty apartment on Thursday, their biggest headache is logistics. If you only buy a blender from them, you aren't solving much. If you offer to take the bed, the nightstands, and the desk all at once, you have enormous bargaining power.

Logistics and moving: How to get everything home

The biggest mistake a novice buyer makes is closing a great deal on a beautiful living room set and realizing they have no way to transport it. A local move within the same city usually ranges between $80,000 and $200,000 COP, depending on the distance and whether you need helpers to carry it up stairs.

If you are buying furniture in another city (for example, taking advantage of a massive sale from an expat in Bogotá to take to your home in Antioquia), keep in mind that the costs for shared national moves between Bogotá and Medellín start at approximately $700,000 COP for small loads (1 or 2 rooms) and exceed $1,100,000 COP for medium-sized moves.

Be careful about leaving your transport for the last minute. According to active listings on Colombia Move (June 2026), there is high demand from buyers looking for services, but the moving category currently has 0 active listings, which means finding a reliable transporter on the same day of your purchase can be almost impossible. Secure your transport before you go to negotiate!

Frequently asked questions

❓ Do appliances brought by foreigners work with Colombia's electricity?

Yes, most appliances from the United States or Canada work perfectly because Colombia operates on a 110V-120V at 60Hz standard. However, if you brought equipment from Europe (which uses 220V-240V), you will need a voltage transformer to prevent them from burning out.

❓ Where do foreigners post their moving sales in Medellín and Bogotá?

They usually post them in expat Facebook groups, such as Medellin Expat and Tourist Info o Bogota Expats, and on local classifieds platforms. Search for terms like "Moving Sale" or "Leaving Colombia" at the end of the month.

❓ How to avoid scams when buying used furniture from a foreigner?

The golden rule is to never send money in advance via Nequi, Daviplata, or bank transfers before seeing the items in person. Schedule an appointment at the seller's apartment to inspect everything and pay when you pick up the items.

❓ Is it normal to ask for a discount at an expat's moving sale?

Yes, it is completely normal and expected, especially if you offer to buy several items together. Since foreigners have a strict deadline to hand over their apartments, buying in a bundle will give you great bargaining power.

❓ How much does it cost to transport the furniture I bought?

A local move within the same city usually costs between $80,000 and $200,000 COP (based on 2026 data). If you need a shared national move, for example between Bogotá and Medellín, the cost starts at approximately $700,000 COP for small loads.