Estate Sales
Estate sales are an efficient & profitable way for individuals to liquidate unwanted, unused, or extra furniture, antiques, art, silver, collectibles, and, in some cases, jewelry. Our estate sales are conducted as tag sales, as opposed to an auction. We recommend a tag sale for a large number of items, with at least a few being of significant value. Contrary to many beliefs, estate sales are not limited to a death in the family; they can also be applied to moving, downgrading, or settlement purposes.
Our tag sales are conducted with two goals in mind:
1. Earn as much revenue from the sale
2. Sell as many items as possible
We understand that many estate sale situations may be due to emotionally difficult circumstances; our promise is that we will accommodate you and any family in every possible way and be respectful of your wishes.
Our Process
Every estate sale we have conducted in the past and will conduct in the future is operated along basic guidelines to allow for the most efficient and profitable sale.
Before any estate sale we like to discuss your needs over the phone, and schedule a preliminary consultation. This consultation is when our sales team meets you, at your residence, to discuss your circumstances and how you would like to conduct the sale; look over and photograph your items; and discuss our fee, sales agreement, and potential dates. We will bring a sales agreement to this meeting; however you are not obligated to commit it at this time.
After the consultation, we follow up with an email of a written estimate and restate important agreement information. We request that you respond within three business days, if more time is required please let us know; we are very flexible and can accommodate your schedule.
Once an agreement has been reached, our research begins; we identify as many items as possible from our preliminary examination; however we will require additional time at the residence to conduct a more in-depth investigation of every piece. While we are in your residence, our primary goal is to work with you as efficiently as possible. This is also the time when detailed photographs, inventory numbering and tagging, and cataloging occur. In some rare cases outside experts are needed to value a piece, we will consult the appropriate individuals to provide the most accurate prices.
At this same time we begin to advertise and promote your sale! With the photographs we take, we create a – unique your sale – print & electronic brochure which is mailed/emailed/hand delivered to our customers/dealers/local antique stores. We also advertise online at auction sites and other related sites, and in local print media, such as the Moultrie News or other area specific publications.
In preparation for the sale, we will clean – to an extent – items and the sales area. We will use available tables, shelves, and display areas as well as provide tables & displays, as needed. Our sales team will arrange items in the most aesthetically appealing, organized way.
The Sale
Sales normally take place on a three day weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Every morning we will come in, inventory items, and set up an hour before the sale; start times may vary, according to your schedule. The first day items are full tag price, the second day items are 25% off, the third – and final day – remaining items are 50% off. The sale is structured in this way to ensure the sale of the most items and to make you the most money.
Clients are welcome to be present during the sale; however due to the sometimes emotionally difficult situations, many clients choose to leave during the sale. You, the client, will have no work-related obligations during the sale; our experienced sales team will handle everything from customer interface to the final transaction.
For large items, the individual purchasing the item is responsible for moving the item. We do not employ professional movers and do not expect you to provide this service for purchasers. Most people who frequent estate sales are familiar with this stipulation. If absolutely necessary, we can arrange for movement of items; however this will include an additional charge to the purchaser of the item.
After the sale is complete we calculate total revenue, review with you left over items and expenses, and can recommend to you ways to dispose of unsold items. Within 10 (ten) business days you will be paid your sales proceeds through a bank or company check or transfer, which can be delivered by hand or certified mail. Upon receiving proceeds clients are requested to sign a receipt confirmation. Sale related documents are available to clients for up to six months after the end date.
