What we see in Estate Sales across the United States is the lack of accountable on the company's part to protect you and your loved ones. You hire a company and trust them to sell all your belongings. You trust them to disclose what they found in that hiding drawer. Well, most don't! The only way you can have some peace of mind is by requestion photos or if you can take your own. After setup with the Estate sale company, ask for a walk through and take pictures of everything if you can't, have them send all rooms and all walls' photos of each area.
We take all room photos and send them to you before the sale. This provides you with accountability of what items are for sale. This is your protection! This should provide you with at least some photos of the larger items being offered.
We have seen several Estate Sale companies take home several valuable items for FREE! You forget about that unique painting you parents had and it's not on the sold list from the company. Where did it go? This may not stop them from taking things, but it will help you to realize what kind of company you dealt with and maybe you can help the next homeowner not get taken.
In our experience the prices listed on items is very important. You can't ask for retail. People go to Estate sale to find those bargains.
Some Estate sales companies own their own retail stores so what doesn't sell they take and sell at their store after you made nothing. They don't want the item to sell they want to offer you very little money at the end of the sale so they can take it to their store. For example, I have seen a set of end tables at one sale for $50.00 and the same set at another sale for $250.00. This is where you know that the $250 did not sale so you got nothing, but the Estate sale company took them to their store and sold them for $125.00. The overpriced tables were listed that way for a reason, they did not want them to sell.
You need to make the decision do you want to move the inventory or keep it?
You have the right to list any item at your price as a minimum just let the estate sale company know. But remember if it doesn't sell you will have to sell it yourself or sell it to a clean out company for very little!
With our photos prior to the sale and photos after the sale you will know what sold and what didn't we also list what it sold for so again this is for your protection from those items not walking out the door.
Your in charge!
Preferred Option:
On our preferred option you as always get your inventory sheet and photos both before and after the sale protecting you on all your higher valued items. You will also get our extended sale plan, this plan includes both the in person three-day sale but also includes listing your higher value items online, this has been proven in the industry to increase profits by up to 100% on those items. By listing the items online and providing an additional 11 days of sale time your profit margin increases dramatically!
Standard Option:
This option also gives you your photos and inventory list both before and after the sale, protecting you from those items getting lost or walking out the door!
This option is the basic industry standard where the Estate sale company comes in and organize, price and set up displays of all your items and list the sale with online estate sale companies a few days prior to the three-day sale time. We are proud members of both Estatesales.net and Estatesales.org.
Budget Option:
This option also gives you all photos and inventory lists both before and after your sale! This budget friendly options is for the homeowner/family that went through everything in the home, and cleaned out the unwated items and or garbage. We come in and price the items and list them for your three day sale. We have found that several homeowners/family members go through everything and have the home ready and cleaned so all we have to do is come in and price. We feel since you did all the work you should keep more of the profit!
ALL OF OUR OPTIONS ARE BASED ON A PERCENTAGE OF THE SALE ! WE NEVER HAVE ANY UPFRONT COST! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US WITH ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
Estate sale companies appraise, price, and sell the personal property of people who have passed away or wish to downsize their households. Estate sale companies routinely handle estates valued at thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. It can be difficult to sort out reputable estate sale companies from untrustworthy ones, and consumers are encouraged to take precautions when selecting and contracting with estate sale companies.
