Giga
The short answer
Agree the details with the seller, check access and inspect before loading
Collecting a sofa from a private seller on Facebook Marketplace, eBay or Gumtree takes a little planning. To avoid extra costs, confirm the seller's floor, agree a collection time, check the sofa before it is loaded, and book a 2-person crew so the seller doesn't have to lift.
- Confirm floor levels: Ask the seller about tight stairs and whether there is a lift.
- Collection time: Agree a clear arrival time so the crew isn't left waiting.
- Condition check: Look over the frame and cushions for hidden damage before loading.
- Access backup: If your own stairs are tight, plan a balcony hoist as a fallback.
Coordinating with Private Sellers
Private sellers aren't shops. They want the sofa gone quickly, but they have busy lives. Once you agree the price, get the collection postcode and the times the seller is in.
Agree a clear arrival time with the seller. We can contact the seller directly if needed and let them know when the van is on its way. That way the seller is home and the crew isn't kept waiting.
Seller Access Audit Questions
Ask the seller these questions before you book:
- Is the sofa inside a flat? If yes, which floor level? Is there a lift that can fit a sofa?
- Are there narrow staircase turns? Victorian flat conversions often have tight stairwell corners.
- Can a Luton van park outside? Check for red routes, narrow lanes or parking restrictions.
- Are the legs removable? Taking the feet off makes narrow doors much easier.
Pre-Loading Quality & Frame Inspections
When our crew gets to the seller's home, they check the sofa before loading it. They look at the frame joints for cracks, the fabric for tears or pet damage, and test any recliner.
If we find a problem the listing didn't mention, we contact you straight away from the pickup. You can then renegotiate or walk away before anything is loaded. Once you're happy, we wrap the sofa in blankets for the drive.
Marketplace Courier Transport Options
Crew options for a marketplace pickup:
| Crew Size | Starting Price | Seller Involvement | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver-Only | £55/hr (2-hr min, £110) | High (seller or buyer must help lift) | Ground floor, small 2-seaters |
| 2-Person Crew | £75/hr (2-hr min, £150) | None (the crew does all the lifting) | Upper floors, heavy corner sectionals |
Related reading: Furniture Delivery in London: Collection, Transport & Delivery Guide and Single Item Movers London: How to Move One Item Safely.
Handling Delivery Access Issues
Loading the sofa is only half the job; it also has to fit into your home. Forcing it through narrow doors or tight corridors can damage the frame and your walls. If the stair turn is too tight, our Sofa Hoisting crew can lift it in through a balcony or sash window, from £150 to £280.
For store pickups and private collections, see our Sofa Delivery London page for cover, vans and same-day availability.
Clear answers
Frequently asked questions
No. Giga Removals does not carry cash or make payments to marketplace sellers for customers. The safer approach is to agree the price with the seller in advance, then pay them yourself by bank transfer or another traceable method once our crew is at the collection address and has confirmed the sofa matches the listing and is in the expected condition. That keeps the sale between you and the seller, with a clear payment record.
Yes. If a marketplace sofa has to be taken apart to leave the seller's home, our crew can do basic dismantling such as removing feet, backs and arms or separating modular sections, and we bring the tools for it. Dismantling is charged separately from transport — guide prices start at £30 for removing sofa legs or arms and £60 for separating a modular sofa, with a £90 minimum dismantling booking — so mention it when you book and send photos of the sofa and the seller's doorway and stairs. That lets us confirm the method and price before collection day.
