Selling a Coffee Machine

First: get the machine ready

Buyers mostly look at whether the machine seems well kept. An hour or two of preparation makes the difference.

• Descale: This matters most. How it works for your type is in the guide to descaling and cleaning.
• Clean: Basket, group head, steam wand, water tank and drip tray. A clean machine also photographs better.
• Test run: Pull a shot, release some steam and grind a few beans if you are selling a grinder. Then you know what you can promise in the listing.
• Gather the accessories: Portafilter, baskets, tamper, jug, water tank, manual, invoices and service records. Whatever comes with it goes in the listing.
• Note any faults: Scratches, a dripping steam valve, a noise: write it down. It saves you questions and trouble later.

What buyers look for

A complete listing answers the questions that would otherwise arrive as messages.

• Brand and model: The model is often on the name plate. Pick the brand in the form and enter the model.
• Age and use: How old is the machine, how often did it run, at home or in an office?
• Care and service: When was it last descaled, which parts were replaced, are there receipts?
• Condition and faults: Be honest. A fault you mention costs you less than an annoyed buyer.
• Size and weight: Both help buyers with shipping and with whether the machine fits on the counter.
• Accessories: List what is included. It saves questions.

Taking good photos

You can upload up to 6 images. The first one is the preview, and you can change the order in the form. Daylight and a calm background make a machine look much better.

Photos step by step

1. Overview first: The best preview image shows the whole machine from the front, well lit.
2. Group head and portafilter: A close-up of the group head, portafilter and basket shows how well they are kept.
3. Steam wand and controls: Show the steam wand, switches, gauges and display, if there is one.
4. Water tank and drip tray: A look into the tank shows the machine is clean.
5. Name plate and accessories: Photograph the name plate and put the accessories next to the machine.
6. Show faults: Take a photo of every scratch or defect you mention in the text. Buyers trust listings that hide nothing.

Setting the price

Compare two or three listings for the same machine or the same class and look at their condition and accessories. A machine with receipts and all accessories may cost more than one with no details.

In the form you choose between a fixed price and negotiable. If you are leaving room to haggle, build it into the price and pick "negotiable".

Enquiries and viewing

Interested buyers write to you through the contact form in the listing. They never see your email address, everything goes through an anonymous relay service. Your listing stays active for 180 days.

Answer questions plainly and show the machine running at the viewing. How buyers check it is in the guide to buying a used coffee machine.

Payment and handover

The safest handover happens in person.

• Pickup: Take cash when the buyer collects the machine. Share your phone number and address only once you have agreed on a time.
• Shipping: Pack the machine well padded, ideally in the original box, and empty the tank and drip tray first. Ship only once the money has arrived, and use a payment method with buyer protection.
• Getting suspicious: Be careful with buyers who want to buy without a viewing and offer a cheque, an overpayment or their own courier.

Common mistakes

These things delay a sale most often:

• too few or dark photos
• missing details on brand, model, age or condition
• a price well above the market
• hidden faults the buyer finds at the viewing
• photographing the machine uncleaned and with limescale rings

Frequently asked questions

Ready? Create your listing now. And if you want to tidy up first, the maintenance guide shows you how.