Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="Northern Lights Lodge, post: 4403545, member: 13464"]Although no longer in the business... I did sales for years. Although you did touch on some "high points".... Ideally, you should find someone with experience in such things. Someone who has a crew - in as much as you have a large amount of "stuff" that needs to be dealt with. *make sure that you have a contract with them; that stipulates what you want done. Sale by "date" and which days the sale will operate*are they going to allow percentages off as the sale progresses (usually needed)*how you want the building "left" (in otherwords - stripped clean? garbage bagged and removed? or just "as is")*what you want done with items that didn't sell (donation to where? taken to another sale? arrange for someone to buy what ever is left?)*of course, what percentage or fee they charge for services*who carries liability on the estate company and buyers?*are they going to research any items or just "guess" the market value? *will the contents be priced as they lay; or will they arrange a nice walk through with the house in relatively tidy condition for a sale? *will items be sold in reasonably clean condition? (I don't mean wash everything - but often the good glassware which hasn't been used in years - really does need a wash to recognize a fair price ... sometimes other items)*will they provide staff in each area to guard against theft and help with sales? Will they plan a walk "in" and "out" with a clear check out area? rather than let people enter through any door?*what sort of advertisement will they provide? What kind of advertisement do you wish? sometimes that may be an additional charge*do they allow early sales (which sometimes means that "pickers" come in early and have an opportunity to buy "the good stuff" before the general public) - you may or may not wish that... just something to think about*are they licensed and bonded?*if you are dealing with ammo and guns; do they have a license to sell such?*will they provide locked cases for high ticket items like quality jewelry or handguns?*if the sale is large enough and they need extra space (ie: tent set up...) who pays for that??)*if those stairs are steep; will they allow buyers up and down the stairs or remove the items to a safer level*will they allow buyers in without restricting how many are in the buiding? or work on a number system? allowing a few buyers in at a time. (Much safer, and easier to control theft and checkout)*be sure to ask questions*what happens if hazardous waste or a very dangerous item appears in the contents (who is responsible for it's removal?) THIS is probably NOT going to be an issue - however, it HAS happened at sales. One company I heard of uncovered "radium" and the hazmat team had to be called....very expensive and I understand that the estate company was stuck with the bill). And another had a live hand "antique" hand grenade - the owner of the estate said that it wasn't "live" and just throw it away. Turns out it "WAS" live. The bomb squad was called and it was detonated (at another location). Fortunately, there was no charge for it's removal. Each estate and sale is different; demands of the executor are different; constraints (like date of sale) are different (sometimes you have months - other times just a few weeks). An estate company needs to factor in those things to work with you. We had an older, HUGE 3 story home; downtown - which was just chucked full of "stuff"... most vintage and antique. We did a walk through and would have loved the sale - but they needed the house "empty" as it was sold already and they had till the following week to clear the house. That was NOT possible for our company. We suggested an auction. I don't know of any company which could have prepared that quickly! I also don't have a clue what they ended up doing. As we were looking around, it came to light that the refrigerator was still full, we asked when "Mum" passed away. SIX months PRIOR! Apparently, the realtor told them "not to empty" the house before showing. This certainly, THEN, caused a real issue, in terms of trying to empty the house as they had about a week to hold the sale. What would have worked much better - would have been to hold the sale a few months AFTER Mum's death and empty the house (save a few pieces of furniture). Or at the very least; contract the estate company shortly after her death to allow them to have time to prepare and then hold the sale shortly before the house sold. Perhaps some of these items won't apply to you (or anyone else pondering a sale); but they are food for thought. Cheerio,Leslieand good luck![/QUOTE]

Create my FREE Account!

Log in or Sign up

Reply to Thread

Useful Searches