The recession has meant giant liquidation sales on office furniture at knock down prices.

Avid second-hand online “hunter” Mrs. Hoa in Cau Giay District had recently bought a new desk and chair. "The company decided to sell the stock as they were downsizing their office. Despite costing VND800,000 (USD38), it was two thirds the original price.”

Online office furniture liquidation sales have flourished since October 2012.

Mrs. Ly who has offered some office furniture for sale, said that while still popular, good value and customer service was key to success in the business, including door-to-door delivery.

Mr. Thang, a trader of second-hand office furniture online, said that in previous years businesses had wanted to upgrade their offices at the end of the year; but since the middle of 2012, many companies posted their sale news online, explaining that they were moving to smaller offices. Every day, his company bought items from websites.

According to Mr. Thang, his store in Linh Nam Province was entirely full. Most of customers were newly-established offices which wanted to save on set-up costs or families looking for a bargain.

Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Vu Duc Dam said that 8,600 companies had halted operations in the first two months of this year, while some 8,000 had been established.