Selling used appliances in Czechia means first checking the real price of the same model in listings, photographing the appliance in daylight including the rating plate, and writing a listing with dimensions, year of manufacture and condition. Then you invite the buyer to your home or garage, settle payment in person in cash and confirm the handover with a handover protocol. A private seller can manage the whole process in one weekend.
A washing machine that gave up after ten years, a dishwasher after a kitchen renovation, or a fridge after moving to a smaller flat. Most households face the same situation: the appliance still works, but there is no room for it in the flat, and taking it to a collection point would cost more than the sale itself. That is exactly why it pays to offer it on a listing platform, where people from your city and surroundings will see it.
The difference between a listing that gets three serious enquiries within two days and one that hangs for a month without a response is usually not the price. It is in the photo, the description and how quickly you reply. The following procedure is based on the common practice of Czech listing platforms and the rules that apply to private sales.
- Do not set the price by guesswork, but according to five to ten comparable listings of the same model and age.
- The description should include the rating plate, dimensions, year of manufacture, defects and what is included in the package.
- Handle payment in person at handover, never based on a screenshot or a link from an SMS.
- Handing over at the seller's address is safer than meeting in a car park where you cannot get the appliance.
How to sell used appliances at a price that matches the market
The real price comes from comparison, not from feeling. Open listings in your region and find five to ten appliances of the same brand and similar age. Write down their prices and notice which ones have been on the platform for a month. Listings that hang for a long time usually mean the price is above demand.
Several factors come into play. Brand and availability of spare parts, energy class, age, and whether the appliance is built-in or freestanding. A built-in dishwasher sells worse than a freestanding one, because the buyer has to deal with the dimensions of the kitchen unit. For washing machines, maximum load and noise level matter; for fridges, volume and type of cooling.
As a rough guide, you will be in these ranges:
- Working appliance under five years old: 40 to 60 percent of the original price depending on condition and brand.
- Appliance five to ten years old: 20 to 35 percent, higher for premium brands.
- Appliance over ten years old: rather a symbolic amount, often transport is the deciding factor.
- Non-working appliance for parts: units of hundreds of crowns, sometimes just for removal.
Remember that the buyer also counts transport costs. A washing machine weighs around 70 kilograms, a fridge over 60. If you offer transport in your own car, you can agree a higher price, because you save the buyer ordering transport.
When to lower the price and when to wait
The first 48 hours after publishing decide whether the listing gains momentum. If no enquiry comes within two days, the problem is not demand but the price or the photo. Lower it by ten percent and change the main image. If three enquiries come and nobody completes the deal, the price is probably fine and the problem is in communication or the handover time.
Used appliance listing: what decides the first impression
A photo sells before the text does. Photograph the appliance during the day by a window, not at night under a fluorescent light in the bathroom. Clear the space around it, wipe the stainless steel, open the door on the washing machine and dishwasher and photograph the drum or basket. Take a separate shot of the rating plate, which is usually behind the door or on the back. From it, the buyer can look up the exact model and check the availability of parts.
In the description, write in this order: brand and exact model, year of manufacture or date of purchase, dimensions in centimetres, condition, defects, what is included in the package, and reason for selling. Always state dimensions, because they decide whether the appliance fits into the alcove. Be specific about defects. The sentence "the door occasionally leaks" saves an hour of explanation during a personal viewing.
In the listing, also write what is new on the appliance: replaced heating element, new bearing, new hose. Buyers appreciate knowing what they will not have to invest in after purchase. State whether you have a service record, and if so, photograph it together with the appliance.
Keep the text calm and without capital letters. Headlines like "SUPER WASHING MACHINE INCREDIBLE QUALITY" look like a listing from a reseller and put off serious buyers. Write where the appliance is, whether it is on the ground floor, with a lift, or on the third floor without a lift. Moving a washing machine from the fourth floor is a separate budget item for the buyer.
On EX & GO you can view the seller's history and ratings from previous buyers, which is also useful from the other side when you want to verify who you are dealing with. The rules for posting listings can be found on the rules page.
How to sell used appliances fast: communication with the buyer
Speed of sale depends on replies within a few hours. Most interested buyers browse listings in the evening and write to two or three sellers at the same time. Whoever replies first and offers a specific time slot usually gets the deal. Prepare two to three windows a week when you are at home in advance, and offer them right away in your reply.
To the question "is it still available", do not just answer yes. Write that the appliance is available, give the address at the city district level and offer a time slot. That turns a filtering question into an arranged meeting. For repeated requests for a discount, keep the same price you stated in the listing, and offer a discount only in exchange for a quick handover.
Scams that keep repeating
The most common trick is a fake payment screenshot. The buyer sends an image of a transfer confirmation and claims the money will arrive within two days. A screenshot is not proof. You can only verify the money in your account in the banking app, at the moment of handover.
The second pattern is a courier with advance payment. "I will send a shipping service for the washing machine, you just pay for the shipment insurance and deduct the amount from the price." Here you are the one paying, not the buyer, and the goods disappear. Transport is always ordered and paid for by the person receiving the goods.
The third is a link to a "verified payment gateway" that leads to someone else's page. Do not enter bank account details or card numbers into any link from an SMS. A serious buyer asks about dimensions, condition and timing, not login credentials.
Handover, payment and what applies to private sales in Czechia
Arrange the meeting at your home or in the garage, where the appliance is plugged in and where the buyer can try it out. Switching it on in front of the buyer is the best proof of functionality and at the same time protects you from later objections. Bring someone else to the meeting if you are home alone.
Handle payment on the spot. Cash is the simplest; for larger amounts, offer an instant transfer via a banking app and check together on the screen that the payment has gone out. The money usually arrives within minutes, with some banks by the end of the day. Hand over the goods only when you see it in your account.
In a private sale, the seller is liable for defects they knew about and concealed. This does not mean a two-year warranty as in a shop. Nevertheless, it pays to write a simple handover protocol: date, model, serial number, price, condition and signatures of both parties. The wording "the seller pointed out these defects" will save you arguments in the event of a complaint.
As for waste, end-of-life electrical equipment belongs at a take-back point, not in mixed waste. The obligations of manufacturers and distributors in the area of take-back of electrical equipment are regulated by the Ministry of the Environment; a basic overview can be found at Ministry of the Environment. If the appliance is sold as working, this obligation does not apply to you, but when selling a non-working piece for parts, it is good to tell the buyer what to do with it after dismantling.
Your rights as a consumer when shopping and making complaints are summarised by the Czech Trade Inspection Authority at Czech Trade Inspection Authority. In a private sale between two individuals, the consumer protection regime does not apply, because it is not a business sale. That is why the handover protocol is so useful for both parties.
Comparison of three routes: quick sale, highest price, buyback
| Criterion | Quick sale | Highest price | Buyback or trade-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical time | 1 to 3 days | 2 to 6 weeks | 1 day |
| Price vs market | 70 to 85 percent | 100 percent and more | 30 to 60 percent |
| Effort for you | low, one visit | high, multiple viewings | minimal |
| Photos and description | basic is enough | you need a quality set | not needed |
| Suitable for | moving, freeing up space | well-kept appliance under five years | non-working piece, hurry |
The combination works best. Publish the listing at a price close to the market and hold it for the first week. If nobody responds, add information about possible transport or a discount for quick handover. Only when that does not help either does it make sense to consider a buyback, where the price drops significantly.
For listing in multiple places, one prepared text that you just copy is useful. Save the photos in one folder at the same resolution. post a listing">Look at the categories of offers in your city and compare how many similar appliances are currently available. used appliances">Also check the rules for posting listings to avoid unnecessary rejection during moderation.
Checklist before publishing a listing
- I have at least five comparable listings and I know the range of their prices.
- I have four to six photos in daylight including the rating plate.
- The description includes brand, model, year, dimensions, condition, defects and package contents.
- I know the city district where the appliance is located, and the floor including lift.
- I have prepared two to three time slots when the appliance can be viewed.
- I know the lowest price I will still accept, and I do not disclose it in the listing.
- I have a handover protocol ready and I know how to verify an incoming payment.
Frequently asked questions about selling used appliances
How quickly can I sell a used appliance?
For a working appliance at a realistic price, the first serious enquiries usually appear within two days of publishing. The handover itself then depends on how quickly you offer a specific time slot. The biggest delays occur with listings that have no photos and no dimensions, because interested buyers have to keep writing back and forth and lose interest.
How much can I ask for a used appliance?
Base it on the prices of five to ten comparable listings in your area. A working appliance under five years old is usually offered at 40 to 60 percent of the original price; for appliances over ten years old it is more of a symbolic amount. Premium brands with available spare parts hold their value longer than unknown brands without a service network.
What should I write in a used appliance listing?
The exact model and brand, year of manufacture, dimensions in centimetres, description of condition, stated defects, information on what is included in the package, and the reason for selling. Add the city district and floor. Specific details cut down on messaging and increase the chance that the buyer arrives with payment ready.
How do I recognise a scammer when selling?
There are three warning signs. The buyer sends a screenshot of payment instead of an actual transfer. They offer to send a courier but want you to pay for shipping insurance. They send a link to verify payment via SMS. In all three cases, handle payment in person at handover and never share your account details with anyone.
Where should we meet for the appliance handover?
Your address is the most practical, because the appliance is plugged in there and the buyer can try it out. For large appliances it is almost a necessity; you will not get a washing machine or fridge to a public space. If you are home alone, invite another person and arrange the meeting for daytime.
Does a warranty apply to a private sale?
The statutory warranty does not apply as it does in a shop. However, the seller is liable for defects they knew about and concealed. That is exactly why it pays to write a handover protocol with the date, model, serial number, price and description of condition. The signatures of both parties then serve as proof of what you agreed.
Should I rather take the appliance to a collection point?
If the appliance does not work and has no interested buyer even for parts, a collection point or take-back location is the right choice. Electrical equipment does not belong in mixed waste. But for a working unit, try a listing first, because selling is usually faster and cheaper than arranging transport.
Summary
Selling used appliances is not difficult if you stick to three steps: find the price from comparable listings, prepare photos with the rating plate and a description with dimensions, and handle payment in person at handover. It is in that last step that most problems arise, because fake screenshots and courier tricks target haste.
Set aside one evening for preparation. A written description, saved photos and a ready protocol will save you half the work on your next sale. And when an interested buyer gets in touch, reply within a few hours with a specific time slot. A quick reply decides the sale more than a discount.
See also: post a listing, used home appliances.