When Is the Best Time to Buy and Sell on Kleinanzeigen?

Spoiler: Timing makes a HUGE difference

I once listed the same IKEA shelf at two different times:

• Monday 9 AM: 2 inquiries in 3 days
• Sunday 6 PM: 8 inquiries in 24 hours

Same listing, same photos, same price. Only the time was different.

Since then I pay attention to timing. Here's what I found out.

The best time to SELL

Peak times (highest activity)

Sunday 5-9 PM - THE sweet spot

• People chilling on the couch
• Have time to browse
• Are in "planning mood" for the week

Saturday 10 AM-2 PM - Second peak

• After breakfast
• Before afternoon activities
• People planning pickups for the weekend

Weekdays 8-10 PM - Evening window

• After work, after dinner
• Relaxed browsing before bed

When you should NOT list

• Monday 8 AM-12 PM: Everyone's at work, meetings, stress
• Friday afternoon: People are mentally in the weekend already
• Holidays: Surprisingly little activity (everyone's busy)

The "end of month" trick

Know this pattern?

• Beginning of month: People have money, buy more
• Middle of month: Normal activity
• End of month: People are tight, fewer purchases, BUT more "Free stuff"

Selling something expensive? List on the 1st-5th of the month. Looking for deals? Check on the 25th-31st - people want quick cash.

The best time to BUY (bargain hunting)

For "Zu Verschenken" (free) stuff

Sunday evening (6-9 PM) is GOLD.

Why?

• People have decluttered over the weekend
• Want to get rid of it before the new week
• Are motivated because they've already tried selling

My hack: Sunday evening "Zu Verschenken" + your neighborhood as filter = best treasure hunt.

For cheap purchases

End of month - People need cash Saturday morning - Sellers who are leaving or moving on Sunday After holidays - "Gifts that didn't fit"

The moving calendar

In Berlin, most people move on:

• 1st of the month (classic rental start)
• 15th of the month (sometimes)
• Semester start (October, April)

2 weeks BEFORE these dates: Flood of furniture on Kleinanzeigen. People have to get out and sell in panic.

My pro tip: Search mid-September for furniture. Students leave Berlin, offers explode.

Seasonal patterns (most people miss this)

Spring (March-May)

• Garden furniture: Suddenly everyone wants some
• Winter clothes: Being dumped (good for buying!)
• Moving wave: Many people move, lots of supply

Summer (June-August)

• Less activity overall: People are on vacation
• Fans/AC units: Get expensive because of demand
• Garden furniture: Still in demand

Fall (September-November)

• Student flood: September/October = BEST time for cheap furniture
• Winter clothing: Demand rises
• Heaters: Being sought after

Winter (December-February)

• Before Christmas: People buy less used (want new gifts)
• January: New Year's resolution "declutter" = lots of new supply
• February: Quietest time, but good negotiating position

The "I need to get rid of it NOW" indicator

These signals mean: The seller is under pressure, you can negotiate.

1. "Moving on [soon date]" - Time pressure
2. "Price negotiable" - Obviously
3. "Pickup by end of week" - Deadline
4. Listing was lowered multiple times - Nobody wants it at old price
5. Listed for 3+ weeks - Seller is frustrated

Using notifications smartly

For buyers

Set up search agents for:

• Your postal code + 10km radius
• Category + keywords ("Sofa", "IKEA MALM", etc.)
• "Zu Verschenken" separately

React IMMEDIATELY to notifications. Good stuff is gone in 1-2 hours.

For sellers

Sunday 5 PM: Bump your listing (makes it visible again) Or: Lower price minimally (also triggers new listing)

Act fast: The transport tip

Found the perfect bargain but no car? No problem.

My strategy: When I see something good, I write immediately: "I'll take it, can pick up today/tomorrow - organizing transport via BringEasy."

This shows the seller:

• You're seriously interested
• You have a plan
• No no-show risk

And for you: You get the item before others snatch it away.

My personal rhythm

As a buyer:

• Sunday evening: Browse "Zu Verschenken"
• Search agents: Always on, react immediately
• End of month: Actively look for bargains

As a seller:

• Take photos on Saturday (good light)
• Go live with listing Sunday 5-6 PM
• Monday evening: Follow up with interested parties

TL;DR - The short version

Selling:

• 🏆 Best time: Sunday 5-9 PM
• 👍 Good: Saturday morning, weekdays 8-10 PM
• 👎 Avoid: Monday mornings, Friday afternoon

Buying:

• 🏆 Bargains: End of month, moving dates (mid-September!)
• 👍 Free stuff: Sunday evening
• 👎 Expensive: Seasonal items when in demand (fans in July)

The one hack: Search agent + react immediately = 50% more success.

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Written by someone who spends too much time on Kleinanzeigen. No regrets.