What Happens After You Buy a Big Used Item?
A $1 hold, an inspection you approve, pickup, then white-glove delivery and payment. Ari Kimmelfeld walks through a Commonplace order on Let's Talk Moving.
Watch the episode: Episode: 198 - Let's Talk Moving - commonplace, Let's Talk Moving with Yuriy Margolin, aired November 11, 2026. Listen on Apple Podcasts.
Short answer: On Commonplace, a $1 hold reserves the item without charging your card. The seller sends photos and videos for a 30 to 50 point pre-pickup inspection, and you approve the report. A crew checks the item again at pickup, pays the seller, and delivers it white-glove. On orders under $8,000 you pay the rest on delivery.
Yuriy Margolin asked Ari Kimmelfeld on Let's Talk Moving to walk through an order from the buyer's side, using a dining set as the example.
1. Reserve it for $1
If you find something you like, you can just press a Buy button. You don't need to message anybody. You reserve it for $1. It doesn't charge your credit card. It puts a hold.
Ari Kimmelfeld on Let's Talk Moving #198, at 05:17
2. The seller documents it
That automatically sends a message to the seller, asking them for a pre-pickup inspection. So they take multiple photos, videos of the product.
Ari Kimmelfeld on Let's Talk Moving #198, at 05:26
We ask them specific questions about the table, about the chairs, when they bought it, if they have a receipt, if there are any scratches, dents, issues with it. And that'll give you a report as the customer.
Ari Kimmelfeld on Let's Talk Moving #198, at 05:34
3. You approve, then pickup
Once you approve that, we'll schedule a time for delivery, for pickup, and the delivery drivers will be dispatched.
Ari Kimmelfeld on Let's Talk Moving #198, at 05:47
Once they give their thumbs up from the in-person inspection, you actually get to pick it up. The seller gets paid in their choice of Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, or bank transfer.
Ari Kimmelfeld on Let's Talk Moving #198, at 06:17
4. Delivery, then payment
And then the drivers deliver it. Once it's delivered, it's set up, the customer sees it in their home, they're charged the remaining amount on their credit card.
Ari Kimmelfeld on Let's Talk Moving #198, at 06:29
The whole order at a glance
- A $1 hold. It reserves the item and takes it off the market.
- A pre-pickup inspection. 30 to 50 points, with photos and video. If it shows a problem, cancel free.
- Your approval. Approve the report and pick a delivery time.
- Pickup. The crew checks the item in person, and the seller is paid at pickup.
- Delivery. White-glove, free within 100 miles, stairs included, and set up in your home.
- Payment. Under $8,000, pay the rest on delivery. Over $8,000, wire it at the pre-pickup inspection. Over 500 miles, the rest is charged when you approve the inspection.
- A warranty. A free two-month parts warranty, with labor coverage as an add-on.
Read how to reserve a used item, can you pay for a used item on delivery, and what white-glove delivery includes, or see how it works. For the full conversation, read Moving Big Used Items: Ari Kimmelfeld on Let's Talk Moving.
Commonplace is the Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and OfferUp alternative for big items. Listing is free, and Commonplace handles pickup, inspection, delivery, secure payments, and a free two-month parts warranty. Labor coverage is available as an add-on. White-glove delivery is free within 100 miles, longer distances are quoted by ZIP, and Commonplace ships nationwide. See how it works.
Related questions
Do I have to message the seller?
No. Ari said you press Buy and Commonplace contacts the seller for the pre-pickup inspection.
What if the inspection shows a problem?
Cancel before pickup and you owe nothing more, and the $1 hold is released. Read what happens if a used item fails inspection.
How far does Commonplace deliver?
Delivery is free within 100 miles of the item, then a per-mile rate up to 500 miles. Past 500 miles, Commonplace delivers anywhere in the continental US. Enter your ZIP on a listing for the exact price.
Thank you to Yuriy Margolin for having Ari on Let's Talk Moving. Quotes are from the episode, lightly edited for reading. Listen to the full conversation on Apple Podcasts.
More from Ari's podcast interviews: questions Ari answered on podcasts and every show he has been on.