Once you decide to have an estate sale, you will have to decide if you are going to hold it yourself or if you are going to hire a company to do it for you. There are many companies out there willing to take your stuff off your hands, but you’ll want to find one that is trustworthy and has the experience to make things go smoothly. There are a few steps you should take before you decide to hire a company to handle your estate sale.
Do Your Research
Make sure you’ve read about estate sales and how they work. This will allow you to know what you are talking about when you begin the interview process. You’ll want to know about the process and how it works, plus some information about what kind of results you are looking for when you have your sale. Check with the local Better Business Bureau before hiring a company to see what other people have to say about their services.
Do NOT Throw Anything Away
When you look at your possessions, a lot of times you just see old junk that has been sitting around for a long time. But an estate sale company may come in and see a hidden treasure among your junk. A good way to tell if you are hiring the right company is if they take the time to go through and explain you to what is worth selling and what is not.
Ask For References
Just like when applying for a job, it is a good idea to find out what people are saying about the company. You’ve already checked the Better Business Bureau, but it also helps to ask for references. A good company will have plenty of references to provide. Contact these sources and ask them questions. You may want to know what they really liked and didn’t like, or what they would have changed for a future sale.
Fees And Taxes
Find out what the company is planning to charge you. Are there any fees involved on top of their commission percentage? A higher percentage may not be bad news for you. Companies with more experience can usually get more money out of a sale, meaning that even though they charge a little bit more off the top of your sale, you may make more money with their help. Be sure to find out what the company does to help you with tax requirements. Every state and area has their own rules about taxes, so ask how they handle all the taxes associated with your sale.
The Interview
Conduct your interviews in person. You’ll want to know that you are talking to a real person with a real intention to help you. You should like what they are offering and be sure that they aren’t just trying to scam you. Make a list of questions to ask at each interview. If you ask the same questions of each company, you’ll have a way to compare the answers when you finish.
Attend A Sale
Ask the company you are thinking of hiring about their upcoming sales. Plan to attend one in person so that you can get a feel for what they do and how they do it. You can also check out their website eBay store, or listings in your local paper. A good company will do plenty of advertising for their sales. Plan to go and walk around and see if the sale consists of mostly local people out for a bargain, or professional art dealers and antiquers who may pay top dollar for unique items.
Get It In Writing
Be sure that whatever a company tells you, they are willing to put it down in writing. Don’t just shake hands on a deal. They should draw up a contract with the terms you have agreed upon and go over the details of the contract with you. Read over the contract and ask any questions you may have. You’ll want to clear up any confusions before signing. A good contract will ensure that the deal goes smoothly for both parties.
Start the planning process as soon as you know you want to hold an estate sale. Preparation is key, and you won’t want to be scrambling around at the last minute. If you are in the Los Angeles area, contact Heritage Estate Sales for an interview. Our company has many years of experience to help you with your sale, and plenty of references to give you peace of mind. Call (818) 206-8565 or fill out the contact us for on our website to get started.