How to sell used appliances in Colombia without giving away your price

A neighbor in the building put her fridge up for sale a month ago. A good brand, it still cooled well, and yet it wouldn't sell. When I saw the ad, I understood the problem in two seconds: a single dark photo, no dimensions, no brand, no model, and a price that seemed pulled out of thin air. The fridge was fine. The ad was the one that was broken.

Selling a used appliance in Colombia isn't just about uploading a photo and waiting. A fridge, a washing machine, or a stove are heavy items, expensive to transport, and difficult for the buyer to "test." That creates distrust, and distrust is paid for with haggling. When an ad lacks data, photos, and a clear way to prove the appliance works, the buyer assumes the worst and offers you half.

The good news: almost all of that can be fixed before you post. In this guide, I'll show you how to check if it's worth selling, how to price it without giving it away, which photos reduce haggling, what the ad should say, and how to handle the testing and delivery so no one backs out. This applies to fridges, washing machines, dryers, stoves, ovens, microwaves, and almost any home appliance.

Before posting: is it really worth selling?

Before taking photos, stand in front of the appliance and check it as if you were the buyer. Does it cool, wash, or heat well? Does it make weird noises? Does it have rust, broken seals, or a missing shelf? An appliance that works but needs a minor repair still sells; one that turns on and off by itself is another story, and that's when you have to decide if you're selling it "for parts" and being clear about it.

Make a quick list of what you have: brand, capacity (liters for the fridge, kilos for the washing machine), years of use, repairs made, and whether you still have the receipt or warranty. Those details aren't just for show — they are exactly what a serious buyer will ask, and having them ready saves you twenty back-and-forth messages. If you've been through a move, you know how heavy this is; in what to do with furniture and appliances before moving I cover the complete logistics when selling several things at once.

One thing many people forget: transport. A double-door fridge doesn't fit in every car, and moving it down narrow stairs can cost more than the profit. Decide from the start if the buyer picks it up, if you deliver it, or if the transport cost is split. Having this clear in your mind before posting avoids the typical "I thought you were bringing it" that kills sales at the last minute.

How to price it without giving it away

The most common mistake is pricing by nostalgia: "It cost me two million, I'll let it go for a million and a half." The buyer doesn't care what it cost you new five years ago. They care how much a similar one costs today. So the price is researched, not invented.

Open a classifieds platform and search for your same appliance, filtering by "used" and your city. On MercadoLibre, for example, there are pages for used appliances by city for Bogotá, Medellín, and others, where you can quickly see the real range. Compare apples to apples: same approximate brand, similar capacity, similar condition, and same city. An 18 kg washing machine shouldn't be compared to an 8 kg one, and a price in Bogotá doesn't always apply in a smaller city.

A practical trick: set the price a bit above your minimum acceptable, but within the real market range. That leaves room for the buyer to "win" something in the negotiation and feel good, without you ending up giving it away. And avoid suspicious round numbers: exactly one million looks made up; $980,000 looks calculated.

Photos that reduce haggling

Photos do 80% of the work. A buyer who sees a complete, clean, and well-lit appliance asks fewer questions and haggles less because they feel they know what they are getting. Someone who sees a single dark photo assumes you are hiding something — and acts accordingly with their offer.

Before shooting, clean the appliance and find good natural light. Then take, at minimum, these shots:

• The full front, straight on, with the entire appliance inside the frame.
• The sides and the back (yes, the back: show that there is no rust or damage).
• The plate or label with the brand and model, well-focused and legible.
• The interior: the fridge inside, the washing machine drum, the stove burners.
• The controls lit up or working, to prove it turns on.
• Any visible defect, up close. Showing the scratch builds more trust than hiding it.

Including a photo with the measurements (with a tape measure or next to a known object) avoids the classic problem of the buyer arriving, measuring, and discovering it doesn't fit in the space. That wasted visit is everyone's time. If you want to go deeper into the visual side, in how to write an ad that actually generates messages I explain how photos and text work together to close the sale.

What the ad should say (checklist of mandatory data)

The title is the first thing seen in a search, so it has to be specific: product + brand + capacity + city. "LG No Frost 420-liter Fridge Medellín" beats "Fridge in good condition" every day. The description is where you answer questions before they are even asked.

Before posting, check that your ad has all of this:

• Exact brand and model.
• Capacity: liters (fridge), kilos (washer/dryer), number of burners (stove).
• Dimensions: height, width, and depth.
• Time of use and repairs made.
• Actual condition and visible faults, without sugar-coating.
• Reason for sale (moving, upgrading, etc. — builds trust).
• City and approximate neighborhood.
• If it can be tested working before removal.
• Clear price and whether it is negotiable.
• Who pays for transport and how it is picked up.

Avoid the "like new" label without proof: that phrase alone doesn't convince anyone. Instead of vague adjectives, provide concrete facts. "Bought in 2023, used by one person, with original receipt" says much more than "impeccable." If you have several appliances to sell, first look at where to sell used items in Colombia without paying a commission to choose the right platform for what you have.

Warranty and honesty: a word of caution

Many people think there are no rules for private sales, but it is worth clarifying this. Under the Consumer Statute (Law 1480 of 2011) and as explained by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC), used products for which the legal warranty has expired can be sold without a warranty, but only if that condition is clearly stated and the buyer accepts it. When nothing is clarified, the standard tends to presume a minimum warranty. The legal warranty covers quality, suitability, safety, and proper operation.

In practice, for you as a seller, this translates to a simple rule: tell the truth about the condition and put it in writing. Do not promise it is "perfect" if you cannot prove it, and if you sell it "without warranty, seen and accepted by the buyer," state it in the chat. This is not legal advice and responsibilities change according to your case; if you sell regularly or as a business, confirm your obligations with an accountant or directly with the SIC.

Trust, testing, and delivery

The delivery moment is where many sales fall through, so it is worth having it tied down. Let the buyer test the appliance to see it working before taking it: plug it in, let the fridge cool for a while, let the washing machine start a cycle, let the stove turn on all the burners. A buyer who sees the appliance working pays without arguing; one you do not let test it will be suspicious and offer less.

To ensure the delivery goes smoothly:

1. Agree beforehand on who will dismantle, carry down, and load the appliance — and at what time.
2. If possible, receive payment on delivery and, for high amounts, prefer a confirmed transfer before handing over the product.
3. Send a simple receipt via WhatsApp: product, price, date, and "sold in the condition seen by the buyer."
4. If you have to wait for someone, set a specific time and confirm it on the same day. Perpetual "I'll stop by tomorrow" messages do not lead to sales.

Where to list your appliance

Not all platforms work the same, and being honest about that saves you time. Facebook Marketplace has huge traffic and direct contact via WhatsApp, but also many messages that lead nowhere, so you have to filter carefully. MercadoLibre gives you reach and buyers who are used to purchasing, although for sellers there are limits and costs depending on the case — it is worth simulating costs before setting the price. WhatsApp groups for the neighborhood or the apartment complex work surprisingly well for large appliances, because the buyer is nearby and transportation is short.

Colombia Move is the free, bilingual option designed for Colombia: you post in classifieds (appliances fall under that category), with no commission, direct contact, and space to include all the details, photos, and measurements we saw above. I cannot promise you will sell it in a day — that depends on the price and condition — but I can promise your ad can be seen in full and is taken seriously. It is another option alongside Facebook Marketplace, MercadoLibre, and local groups.

Mistakes that lower your price

Selling a used appliance properly is not about luck: it is about a clear ad, a researched price, and a delivery without surprises. Do that homework before you post, and you will receive messages from people who really want to buy, not from those who haggle for sport.

FAQ

❓ How do I price a used appliance?

Compare actual ads for the same product, brand, capacity, and city on platforms like MercadoLibre or Facebook Marketplace, filtering by "used." Adjust according to the years of use, condition, whether you include transport, and how quickly you need to sell it. Forget about what it cost you when new: the buyer only looks at today's price.

❓ Do I have to provide a warranty if I sell a used fridge or washing machine?

According to the Consumer Statute (Law 1480 of 2011) and the SIC, a used item whose legal warranty has already expired can be sold without a warranty only if you clearly inform the buyer of that condition and they accept it; if you do not clarify anything, a minimum warranty may be presumed. The prudent thing to do is to tell the truth about the condition and put it in writing. If you sell regularly or as a business, confirm your obligations with an accountant or the SIC.

❓ What photos should I upload to sell faster?

At least six: the full front, the sides and back, the label with brand and model, the interior, the controls turned on, and any defect up close. Good natural light and a clean appliance. Clear photos reduce haggling more than any description.

❓ Is it safe to sell appliances on Facebook or WhatsApp?

Yes, as long as you filter people and take precautions. Agree on a delivery in a specific place and time, let the appliance be tested to see it working, prefer cash on delivery or confirmed bank transfer for high amounts, and send a simple receipt via WhatsApp. No platform is infallible, but with basic filters, most sales go well.

❓ Where do I post my used appliance for free?

You can post for free on Colombia Move (in the classifieds category, without commission and with direct contact), in addition to Facebook Marketplace, MercadoLibre, and local WhatsApp groups. The ideal approach is to use the same well-crafted ad—photos, facts, and a clear price—on more than one channel.