Furniture stores periodically refresh their inventory, and that's when moving sales become your opportunity to grab high-quality pieces at significant discounts. Understanding when and how these sales happen—and what to expect—can save you hundreds on everything from sofas to dining sets.
Why Furniture Stores Hold Moving Sales
Furniture retailers shift inventory for several reasons: relocating to a new storefront, downsizing their physical space, or clearing stock to make room for new collections. When this happens, stores often mark down existing inventory heavily to avoid the cost of moving everything themselves. This is different from seasonal clearance sales—moving sales are typically one-time events tied to a specific date when the store closes its current location.
The discounts during these sales often reach 30–60% off regular prices, depending on what's being cleared. A $1,200 sectional might drop to $700–800, and bedroom sets routinely see reductions from $2,500 to under $1,500.
When to Watch for These Sales
Furniture stores announce moving sales several weeks in advance, usually through email lists, social media, and in-store signage. Most retailers advertise aggressively because they need inventory gone by their closing date.
Key timing considerations:
- Lead time: Sales typically run 4–8 weeks before a store's final closure date
- Urgency increases: Discounts often deepen in the final 2–3 weeks as the deadline approaches
- Best selection: Shop during the first 2–3 weeks when inventory is fullest, even if prices are slightly higher than week seven
What to Look for in a Moving Sale
Not all items are created equal during these events. Some pieces move fast; others linger for a reason.
High-value finds:
- Solid wood dining tables and bedroom sets (often 40–50% off)
- Sectionals and quality sofas with good fabric (leather and performance fabrics hold value)
- Bedroom suites (mattresses are excluded in most sales, but frames and dressers are fair game)
- Area rugs and accent pieces from mid-range brands
Items to approach cautiously:
- Heavily damaged floor models (check cushions, legs, and seams carefully)
- Discontinued styles with no matching pieces available
- Clearance items already marked down before the moving sale—these may have issues
- Mattresses (typically not discounted and often have hygiene concerns)
Return Policies and Fine Print
This is critical. Many furniture stores tighten return policies during moving sales.
Check these specifics before buying:
- Return window: Moving sale items often have 7–14 day return windows instead of the standard 30 days
- Restocking fees: Some stores charge 15–25% restocking on returns during moving sales
- Delivery included?: Confirm whether delivery, assembly, and haul-away are included or cost extra. Moving sale pricing sometimes excludes these services.
- Damage claptions: Understand who pays if a piece arrives damaged—you or the store
Ask the salesperson for the moving sale terms in writing before checkout. Don't rely on verbal promises.
Timing Your Purchase
Buying strategically within a moving sale window matters.
- If you need it immediately: Buy in weeks 1–3 when selection is best and you're less likely to wait for special orders
- If you can wait: Monitor prices in weeks 4–6; deeper discounts often emerge as the closing date nears
- Final week gamble: Last 3–7 days sometimes offer the steepest markdowns, but inventory is picked over and special orders may not ship before closure
How to Find Moving Sales Near You
Check local furniture stores' websites and social media pages for announcements. You can also use Mercoly to compare and find trusted furniture store providers in your area, which often list upcoming events and sales.
Call stores directly in your region—managers often know which locations are relocating 2–3 months before public announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I special-order furniture during a moving sale if I see a floor sample I like? Yes, but ask about the timeline. Stores closing within weeks may not guarantee delivery before their closure date, potentially leaving you waiting months for shipment from a warehouse location.
Q: Are moving sale prices negotiable? Rarely. These sales are already heavily discounted, and stores are processing volume quickly. That said, asking about bundle discounts (buying multiple pieces) sometimes works.
Q: What happens if a store closes before my furniture is delivered? Legitimate retailers transfer orders to another location or warehouse. Get store contact information and the delivery commitment in writing before paying—this protects you if the original location shuts down.
Start checking your local furniture stores' websites this week to catch upcoming moving announcements and lock in those deals.