Student Move-Out Week: Complete Seller's Guide for Kingston (2026)

The most wonderful time of the year for buyers. The most stressful time of the year for students. Be the student who sells, not the student who panics.

If you're a student leaving Kingston in April, you have approximately 72 hours to turn your apartment full of stuff into cash before you never see that damage deposit again.

Move-out week in Kingston is chaos. Good chaos. The kind of chaos where couches appear on curbs, mini fridges sell in minutes, and someone's gently used IKEA dresser becomes another student's treasure.

I've been through move-out week as a seller, a buyer, and a friend with a truck. Here's exactly how to sell everything before you leave.

First: Why Move-Out Week Matters

The numbers:

• 45,000+ students leave Kingston in April
• Most cannot take their furniture
• Landlords require empty apartments
• The result: THOUSANDS of items need new homes in days

For sellers (students leaving):

You have a short window to turn your stuff into cash. Miss it, and you're paying to dump everything.

For buyers (everyone else):

This is your gold rush. Furniture for pennies. Electronics for fractions of retail. Stock up now.

The 2026 Move-Out Timeline

Mid-March: Start Planning

What to do:

• Decide what you're taking vs selling
• Clean everything (it sells better)
• Take photos now (before chaos)
• Research prices

Late March: Start Listing

What to do:

• List bigger items first (furniture takes time)
• Post in Facebook groups
• Use Fliku for verified buyers
• Say "must go by April [date]" in description

Early April: Peak Selling

What to do:

• First two weeks of April = best prices
• Students are still around, still have money
• List everything remaining

Mid-April: Desperation Mode

What to do:

• After April 15, prices drop fast
• Bundle items
• Accept lower offers
• Have donation backup plan

Late April: Free Zone

What to do:

• Last week = free or curb
• Post curb alerts
• Whatever's left, you're hauling or paying

Must Read:-

How to Post Your First Ad on Fliku

10 Tips for Writing Effective Product Descriptions

How to Avoid Scams When Buying or Selling Online

18 Safe Meetup Spots Kingston

9 Ways to Get Free Furniture & More

12 Best Places for Secondhand Deals

What Sells During Move-Out

Hot Items (Price High Early):

Furniture:

• IKEA dressers ($50-100)
• Desks ($40-80)
• Bed frames ($50-150)
• Bookshelves ($30-60)
• Nightstands ($20-40)

Electronics:

• Mini fridges ($50-100)
• Microwaves ($30-60)
• TVs ($100-200 for decent ones)
• Speakers ($50-150)
• Gaming consoles ($200-400)

Kitchen:

• Pots and pans sets ($20-40)
• Dishes bundles ($10-20)
• Small appliances ($20-50)

Other:

• Lamps ($10-30)
• Rugs ($20-50)
• Bikes ($100-300)
• Winter tires (if you have them)

Slow Items (Price Low or Bundle):

• Textbooks (unless add/drop week)
• Clothes (unless brand name)
• Half-used toiletries (trash)
• Mattresses (hard to sell, offer free)
• Broken anything (parts only)

Pricing Strategy by Week

Week 1-2 (April 1-15): Regular Used Prices

• Price at normal used rates (50-70% of retail)
• Students still have money
• Parents are still helping
• Negotiate a little, not a lot

Week 3 (April 15-22): Discount Mode

• Drop prices 20-30%
• Bundle deals: "Take all bedroom furniture for $150"
• Accept reasonable offers
• Focus on moving volume

Week 4 (April 22-30): Desperation Mode

• Drop prices 50%+
• "Best offer" listings
• Free with purchase of other items
• Have donation plan ready

Last 3 Days: Free Zone

• Curb alerts
• Free Facebook groups
• Whatever doesn't go, you dump

Where to List

Fliku (Best for Serious Buyers)

Why:

• Verified buyers (no time-wasters)
• Kingston focus
• Safe meetups
• User ratings

List all higher-value items here first.

[List on Fliku - Kingston student sellers welcome]

Facebook Marketplace (Most Eyeballs)

Why:

• Everyone checks Marketplace
• Students, locals, flippers all watching

List here too. Cross-post.

Facebook Groups (Targeted)

Join and post in:

• Queen's University Free & For Sale
• Queen's University Housing, Sublets & Roommates
• Kingston Student Housing
• Free Stuff Kingston (for last week)
• Buy Nothing Kingston

Kijiji

Older demographic, but still worth posting.

Your Building's Laundry Room

Old school? Yes. But sometimes the person downstairs wants your stuff.

The Ultimate Move-Out Listing

Title:

IKEA MALM Dresser - $60 - Must go by April 20

Photos:

• Clean dresser, good lighting
• Drawers open (show they work)
• Any scratches (close up)
• Overall shot in room

Description:

IKEA MALM dresser, white. 6 drawers. Used for 2 years in student housing.

Condition:

• Minor scratches on top (see photo 3)
• One small chip on bottom drawer (photo 4)
• All drawers slide smoothly
• No stains, no smells, no pets

Dimensions: 160cm wide x 80cm tall

Pickup in University District (near Albert and Union). Must go by April 20 - I'm moving and cannot take it.

Price: $60 firm until April 15, then accepting offers.

Cash or e-transfer.

Photos That Sell

Rule #1: Clean everything first

Dusty items look gross. Wipe them down.

Rule #2: Natural light

Open curtains. Turn on lights. No dark, blurry photos.

Rule #3: Show damage

If it's scratched, show it. Builds trust.

Rule #4: Multiple angles

Front, back, sides, inside, close-ups.

Rule #5: Size reference

Put something next to it so people understand scale.

Handling Messages

You will get many messages. Be organized.

Common questions:

"Is this available?"

Reply: "Yes, until [date]. When can you pick up?"

"Would you take $40?"

Reply: "I'm at $60 until April 15. After that, I may accept offers. Check back then."

"Can you deliver?"

Reply: "Sorry, pickup only. But I'm near campus."

"Can you hold it until Friday?"

Reply: "I can't hold, but if it's still here, message me Friday morning."

The "I Have No Truck" Problem

You're a student. You probably don't have a truck. Buyers expect to pick up, but you need to get stuff out.

Solutions:

Option 1: Friends with trucks

Ask now. Bribe with pizza and beer.

Option 2: Home Depot truck rental

$25 for 90 minutes. Reserve ahead.

Option 3: U-Haul

$20-40/day plus mileage. Book early.

Option 4: Student movers

Post in Facebook groups: "Need someone with truck to move furniture for cash." Many students with trucks offer this service.

Option 5: Price for pickup only

Buyers with trucks will come to you.

Bundle Deals That Work

Instead of selling individually, bundle:

"Bedroom Bundle" - bed frame, dresser, nightstand, lamp - $200 (vs $300 separate)

"Kitchen Bundle" - pots, pans, dishes, utensils, microwave - $80

"Student Starter Pack" - mini fridge, microwave, kettle, toaster - $120

"Everything in My Room" - buyer takes it all, you price at 50% of individual

Bundles move faster. Less work for you.

The Last Week: Free Stuff Strategy

When you're down to the last few days and stuff remains:

Step 1: Post in Free Stuff Kingston Facebook group

"FREE - IKEA dresser, some wear, needs new home by Wednesday. 123 Albert Street, on porch. First come takes it."

Step 2: Curb alert with address

Put items on curb with "FREE" sign. Post address in group.

Step 3: Post in building group

If your building has a Facebook group or email list.

Step 4: Tell neighbours

Someone in your building might want it.

What to Do With Leftovers

Donate:

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

• 2455 Princess Street
• Furniture in decent condition

Mission Thrift Store

• 816 Division Street
• Household items, clothes

Value Village

• 1075 Wellington Street
• Everything (but they're picky)

Recycle:

Best Buy

• Electronics, cables, batteries

City of Kingston Hazardous Waste

• 196 Lappan's Lane
• Paint, chemicals, electronics

Trash:

Last resort. Landfill fees apply. Avoid if possible.

The Move-Out Checklist

4 weeks before:

• Decide what's staying, selling, donating
• Clean everything
• Take photos
• Research prices

3 weeks before:

• List higher-value items on Fliku and Marketplace
• Join Facebook groups
• Start responding to messages

2 weeks before:

• List everything else
• Drop prices on unsold items
• Bundle similar items
• Arrange truck if needed

1 week before:

• Accept reasonable offers
• Post free items in groups
• Schedule donation pickup

Last 3 days:

• Curb alerts
• Free groups
• Everything must go

Moving day:

• Apartment empty
• Clean
• Photos for damage deposit
• Keys returned

Money Tips for Student Sellers

Cash is king

Have change. Keep cash on you, not in open box.

E-transfers with Auto-Deposit

Enable Auto-Deposit so money goes straight in. Check BANK APP, not email.

No holds without deposit

"First come, first served" only. Holds lose you sales.

Meet safely

Kingston Police HQ, 705 Division Street. Always.

Bring a friend

Safety and help moving heavy items.

What NOT to Do During Move-Out

Don't wait until last week to start

You will be overwhelmed. Start early.

Don't overprice

You have days, not weeks. Price to sell.

Don't ignore messages

Reply quickly. First person who shows up usually buys.

Don't give out your address to everyone

Meet at safe location. Give address only to confirmed buyer.

Don't forget to clean

Dirty items don't sell. Clean sells.

Don't leave stuff for landlord

They will charge you. Donate or dump first.

The Buyer's Perspective (Know Your Audience)

Who's buying your stuff during move-out?

Other students:

• Need stuff for summer or next year
• Limited budget
• Will bargain

Kingston locals:

• Know it's a deal
• Have trucks
• May resell

Flippers:

• Buy low, sell high
• Will bargain hard
• Take multiple items

Parents:

• Buying for student children
• Have money
• Less likely to bargain

Why Fliku Is Perfect for Move-Out

Fliku features that help student sellers:

• Verified buyers (no scammer energy)
• User ratings (see who's reliable)
• Safe meetup locations (built-in)
• Kingston focus (local only)
• Fast listing (get items up quickly)

The result: Less time wasted on fake buyers. More time selling to real people.

[List your move-out items on Fliku - Kingston student sellers welcome]

FAQ: Student Move-Out

Q: When should I start selling?

A: Late March. First two weeks of April are peak.

Q: What sells best?

A: Furniture, mini fridges, microwaves, desks, lamps, bikes.

Q: What's hard to sell?

A: Mattresses, old textbooks, clothes (unless brand name).

Q: How do I price things?

A: Early April: 50-70% of retail. Late April: 30-50%. Last week: free.

Q: What if I don't have a truck?

A: Price for pickup only. Buyers arrange their own transport.

Q: Is it safe to meet buyers?

A: Yes, if you meet at Kingston Police HQ or other safe spots.

Q: Can I leave stuff on the curb?

A: Yes, but post "curb alert" in Facebook groups so people know.

Q: What if nothing sells?

A: Donate. Habitat ReStore, Mission Thrift. Last resort: landfill.

Q: How do I get my damage deposit back?

A: Clean everything. Take photos. Empty apartment. Communicate with landlord.

The Bottom Line

Move-out week in Kingston is stressful but profitable. Start early. Price fairly. Take good photos. Meet safely.

The stuff you don't want is someone else's treasure. Make sure that treasure turns into cash before you leave.

Good luck with exams. Good luck with selling. And congratulations on (almost) surviving another year.

Been through move-out week before? Share your tips below. New sellers need all the help they can get.