Independence Day Weekend Begins – Celebrate The USA
Estate Sales News is joining America and celebrating our independence and enjoying a long weekend.
We hope you are able to do the same, travel safely, enjoy your friends or family and let us all give thanks that we live in such a great nation that gives us more freedoms than any other country.
Our thanks to our audience and we’ll return next week.
God Bless America.
Why Commission Is the Last Consideration When Choosing An Estate Liquidator
It is always a process when downsizing for a move or eliminating a loved ones possessions. STOP – call a professional estate liquidator.
Estate sale companies do not have emotional attachments and this can be a huge asset to you. An experienced and knowledgeable liquidator can help in so many ways.
If you are downsizing having someone from the liquidation industry to discuss what you need to accomplish and review what you will need to sell can ease the process. They can advise you about what to expect your unneeded belongings may realize at a liquidation sale and if anything specific should become a donation. Experienced and knowledgeable estate liquidators understand the stress of downsizing and can make the process a more comfortable one thereby allowing you to move forward to the next great adventure in your life.
The loss of a loved one is never easy and the disposal of personal belongings can be overwhelming. The estate sale company you choose can ease the burdens associated with the elimination of personal contents that hold memories.
When choosing a liquidator there are so many considerations to decide who will work best for you. We have a printable list for you to work with on our Front Page with a Tab, Click Here For the Printable List to access the list now.
The last consideration is the commission that an estate sale company charges. If you hire strictly based on what it will cost to hold the sale, the results may not be what you were hoping for.
Today the expenses of conducting an estate sale for a liquidator are much higher than they use to be. Judy Martin wrote an article that was published here on Estate Sales News about “The Cost Of Conducting A House Sale”.
Choose wisely. An estate sale company can be your best and most important asset during the trying and difficult times that happen in your life.
What Does It Take To Become An Estate Liquidator – A Basic Overview
Deciding whether to become a professional estate sale liquidator is a major decision and requires you to decide about the many factors involved in estate liquidation. It isn’t an as easy as it looks and requires dedication and usually much more than a 40 hour week.
You will require some working capital to get started and to sustain you until you develop a clientele.
It is helpful to have attended estate sales to see how different estate liquidators work. Each estate sale company works a little differently, however, most follow some basics such as sorting, cleaning, staging (or setting up) and pricing. In order to become a successful estate liquidator it is beneficial to apprentice or work for an estate sale company. Become familiar with the process. You will also need a true working knowledge of what you are selling (what the item is, age, and what its’ value is).
Most of the very successful estate sale companies have experience and knowledge either as antique dealers, consignment shop owners, collectors or from working for other estate sale companies. They may also have taken courses to assist them in knowing how the entire process works from the initial contact with a client to the clean out of the premises after the sale.
Speaking with estate liquidators is very beneficial as well. There is so much to consider.
Some of the basics needed will be a license (if required), tables and supplies for set-up, liability insurance, a staff that is knowledgeable and reliable, an estate sale contract and thorough understanding of what should be included, a working knowledge of national, state, and local laws, ordinances etc., (from inability to sell prohibited items to permits for the sale and signs) and more. You will need to decided what types of payment you will accept, the payout to the client and if you will offer additional services such as clean out.
To become an estate liquidator you will also need to know about marketing, (how to advertise and where your target audience is), what items may bring the most interest of buyers to your sale. Whether you will want a website and if you do what will work best for you. You should also know about the the benefits of social media marketing and how to use it to your advantage.
There is much more than the discussion above to becoming a successful professional estate liquidator, but understanding the basics is a start and can help with your decision.
Estate Sales Friday – News, Information, Sales Before July 4th Weekend
Today is estate sale Friday and the last weekend before we celebrate our independence next week starting on Friday, July, 3rd.
Many estate liquidators are taking a summer break next week and over the fourth of July to re-energize. The 2015 Estate Sale Conference will be taking place in Chicago starting next Tuesday, June 30th. 300 are expected at the conference which will take place over three days. This conference is sponsored by EstateSales.Net to assist companies in an ever-increasing competitive market.
Taking a sample survey of what’s selling the most mentioned and sought after items are Mid-Century Modern furnishings.
More companies have been launched to assist those interested in becoming estate liquidators offering online instruction, ebooks, membership, and their own code of ethics.
If you are looking for an estate sale or an estate sale company please click on the links provided below. They will take you to estate sale listing websites where you can search for sales or find an estate liquidation company.
Don’t forget your estate sale kit, estate liquidation etiquette, and have a successful, fun weekend shopping at estate sales. Please tell the estate sales that you attend that you read EstateSalesNews.com, the primary source for information and news about estate sales and the estate sale business for customers, clients, and estate sale companies.
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Highland Park Historical Society House Museum Liquidation
Today on ThrowBack Thursday we would like to showcase a great sale that is featured in the Chicago Tribune that starts today in Highland Park, IL, conducted by re: Home Estate Sales owned by Samantha Stolberg.
Click here for the link to the article.
The society is selling off the contents of the house so that the home can be sold. Proceeds will benefit the society.
Here is a link to this fabulous sale.
How To Buy With Success At An Estate Sale – Know Before You Go!
Estate sales across the country begin again tomorrow. Becoming a successful consumer isn’t just about being able to purchase items. A successful buyer needs to understand the way an estate sale works.
When looking at the various websites that feature estate sales (Estatesale.com, EstateSales.Net, and EstateSales.org are the three major websites currently) read the terms and conditions of the sale and any driving or parking instructions carefully. It is important that you follow these.
Every estate sale company works differently, so see if they have anything in their information on the sale that addresses entrance procedures. Some may utilize a sign up list (it can be very specific and require you to stay on site on the property after signing up), some may use a number system where you either take a number that is given out at a specific time or left out in a holder of some kind, and some may just have you line up in order of arrival time. When parking and lining up early be respectful of the neighbors. Having the police called for noise or parking on lawns isn’t good for anyone.
While waiting to go in, be patient and remember that an estate sale company can decide if you will be given entrance to the sale if you cause problems in line (arguing, stomping feet, swearing, etc.).
If you have any questions concerning anything we have discussed so far contact the estate sale company you are going to for further information ahead of the sale and let them know you want to follow the rules.
When you enter it is to your advantage to be polite and courteous. Avoid making offers. Be sure you read any signs posted outside or inside the sale about payment, discounting, or safety information.
If you are interested in an item and it says they do not discount on the first day, ask the liquidator when they would be, let them know what you are interested in, and inquire if they accept written offers for future consideration (some refer to this as a bid, however, this is not an auction) or should you return on the day of the discounting to see if the item is still there and for sale.
Being mindful of estate sale buyer etiquette should create a good business relationship between you the consumer and the estate liquidator.
What Is A Good Review Or Bad Review Of An Estate Sale Company?
As the estate sale industry continues explosive expansion on a weekly basis consider reviews and why people write reviews.
In today’s estate liquidation world writing a review can be as simple as getting on the internet and going to Google (if you have a gmail account) or perhaps YP (Yellow Pages) or Yelp.
Reviews are important, but so are the reasons they are written. If you are writing a review be upfront about who you are (why wouldn’t you use your real name if the review is justified good or bad) and don’t bash an estate sale company just because your sale didn’t deliver the results you were hoping for. Last week in Los Angeles President Obama was in LA for two days and caused multiple backups and delays with the presidential motorcade. This resulted in many estate sales having lack luster results because buyers were unable to get there. Many buyers were also kept from going out because of the severe heat in many areas.
Estate sale companies cannot control traffic, weather, the stock market (and yes that really does affect your sale) or the economy in general.
If you are unhappy with the results of your sale wait until all buyers have left the property and discuss what has taken place or lack of sales. If you feel your sale wasn’t advertised sufficiently ask the liquidator to show you the advertisements or let you know what websites they were on. Discuss all the variables of the sale and remember that unless your estate sale company gave you a written guarantee of the money that would be brought in at the sale they too were disappointed because most companies work on commission so the more they sell and make the better the financial results for you both.
If you are happy with the results write a good review. Explain why you were satisfied and use your real name. Writing a bad review based out of disappointment does little and especially if you don’t use your actual name. Remember Google and Yelp will allow a company to respond to your review and present their case.
If you do encounter a serious problem with an estate sale company reporting it to a local consumer reporter who will investigate the claim is usually the procedure to follow, but keep in mind that if the claim is not valid the reporter may be interested in your motives.
Good reviews or bad reviews need to be honest, accurate, and responsibly written.
Father’s Day And Estate Sales – Great Shopping Opportunities
Father’s Day is this Sunday and many estate sales are selling great gifts for Dads that will save you dollars. You can have a day of shopping fun and find a terrific gift for the man in your life.
This weekend you’ll find sales with tools, cameras, golf equipment, gym equipment, mens clothing, sports memorabilia and more. To help you find these sales in your state click on the links below to these estate sale listing websites and find your city and state.
Please let the estate sale companies you visit know you read EstateSalesNews.com. “Like” us on Facebook, “Follow” us on Twitter and check us out on Pinterest.
We are passionate about estatesales.
Yard Sale Or Estate Sale – What Will Work For You And Why?
As we enter the summer season the weekends are filled with signs posted everywhere about either a yard sale or estate sale.
When you are considering what you need take a look at what it is you want to sell, how much there is of it, why you are selling it (that affects price) etc.
If you don’t have that much, it’s just “stuff” or if it won’t sell for much do not call an estate liquidator. In today’s world most experienced liquidators are looking for contents that will be financially beneficial to you and to them. The cost of doing an estate sale for the liquidator has increased significantly over the past few years. See Judy Martin’s article published May 4th, 2015 here on Estate Sales News about the cost of an estate sale.
If you are in doubt contact an experienced professional liquidator and talk to them about what you have, your goal, and the size of your home and it’s contents. They will ask you questions that can help them determine what you should do and if they can be of service.
Yard sales are just that, but an estate sale is a professionally conducted sale of personal property, staged, advertised, researched and priced and involves staff as well as the liquidator.
It’s Wednesday and many estate sales begin tomorrow so get your estate sale kit and route ready and happy shopping.
What Estate Sale Customers And Clients Need – Informative, Fresh, Updated
S
everal weeks ago I read an article on the internet for small businesses that said that 97% of people research products and services. Today as I was thinking about what topic to write about and I recalled this article and thought it was appropriate to discuss what 97% of those individuals were concerned with.
In today’s liquidation world with 1000’s of estate sale companies (estimates now of well over 10,000 in the United States alone) there are so many liquidators to choose from. It reminded me of many years ago when I was in the real estate business and one of the seminar instructors’ said to stay on top you need to keep your clients informed, updated, and keep your brochures fresh. This rekindled the reference in my mind to that more recent article.
Well that was before the internet became such an integral part of our everyday life, but it is even more important today than it was 30 years ago.
When prospective clients search the internet for an estate sale company they want to look at websites that are kept up to date, fresh, and informative. Many prospective sellers spend a quite a bit of time looking and reviewing companies on the internet and if the websites they are looking at never seem to change or be modified, the questions start to enter their minds, are they too busy, don’t they care, are they still in business, etc. Many companies have websites built and then never change them after their launch.
Estate sale companies in general are extremely busy today, however, time needs to be allotted to work on the website or Facebook page to let clients know you are active, keeping up with the continually changing landscape of the estate industry and staying “on top of the game” so to speak.
Customers want to see what to look forward to at upcoming sales and if you are conducting sales in the future. They are interested in upcoming sales or events. Clients want to read about any changes that might affect their potential sales. They recognize when websites or pages are left unattended and do not change and if old information remains static that gives the appearance of lack of concern and importance.
It isn’t easy to do all of this, however, as in any business a set time or hours should be set aside weekly to keep your page updated and also provide simple navigation. If you have a staff member that is proficient with technology consider paying them to provide this valuable visible service.
Whether you are a client or a customer, if you are checking on websites, take notice of these three important components. It’s a good start to determining if this is the company for you.
Please “like” us on Facebook, “follow” us on Twitter, and let the estate sale companies you visit or speak with know that you read EstateSalesNews.com – Your free internet resource to learn about estate sales, information, and news. Thanks and happy Tuesday
