Choosing An Esate Sale Company – Printable Estate Sales News Check List
Estate Sales News has written many articles about how to choose an estate sale company, but today we have added a printable check list to the top of our home page on how to choose an estate sale company. Click on it, read it through, and print out your check list before you start your search for an estate sale company.
This list was created based on 25 plus years as a former estate liquidator. Our information is based on actual working experience conducting professional estate sales.
Our mission at EstateSalesNews.com is to empower you, the perspective seller.
Be informed, know what to look for, and ask questions. It’s your financial bottom line.
Pay Out After The Estate Sale – When Something Goes Wrong What To Do
Estate Sales News hopes you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Almost two weeks ago we received an alert that had an investigative reporter looking into an estate sale company that had several sellers that had not been paid. As this matter is still being investigated we will not divulge the name of the reporter, TV station or the name of the estate sale company, however, we want to pass along what we know has happened up to now.
The newsman had been contacted by several families and individuals that claimed this estate sale company had not paid them for the estate sale. The reporter after reviewing documents provided by these families went to an estate sale being run by this company and confronted the company owner on camera about the people who said they had not been paid. The owner said that “most” had been paid, however, some had consigned personal property which sold for very little and the gentleman claimed after taking the commission owed, nothing was left.
Estate Sales News spoke in depth with the television reporter and asked to have the families contact us and also asked the reporter to send us copies of any paperwork in his possession with the families permission. So far this has not happened.
When we received the alert we immediately called EstateSales.NET and EstateSales.org where this company was listed to alert them to the problem.
At this time we understand that this company has paid some individuals, but we are still waiting on further news in this case.
What we have learned up to now is that if you have an estate sale company that fails to pay you after the sale (and 99% of the estate sale companies across this country are reputable, honest companies who serve their clients expertly, and have integrity) you should contact your local attorney general, a TV news investigative reporter, the Better Business Bureau, and any estate sale listing site that the company or your estate sale may have been featured on. You will need to provide them with information that they can follow up on, but this gives them the opportunity to remove the estate sale company from advertising on their website.
Performing your due diligence in speaking with prior clients of an estate sale company cannot be stressed enough.
Thanksgiving Week And Estate Sales
This is family week for millions of Americans celebrating Thanksgiving and either cooking at home or traveling to family.
This week reminds us that families dealing with the estates of loved ones is often a difficult time and part of the job of the estate liquidator is to be understanding and help relieve some of the stress. The estate sale liquidator and many of their staff wear many hats.
For most this week is a day to rest, recoup, and enjoy their family.
EstateSalesNews.com will be enjoying this Thanksgiving week with our family too.
Today is our last day to publish this week. We’ll be back on Monday, December 1st.
We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving with the joy and blessings of family and friends and our United States.
Photos Of Estate Sales – Showcase Items, The Clutter Look Discourages
Estate Sales News looks at many estate sale listing websites every day and at 100’s of photos looking for news worthy estate sales.
Having been an estate liquidator for 25 plus years we are use to looking at the obscene clutter and hoarding that could take place in a residence, however, buyers don’t want to see this and neither do we. Nothing is more discouraging than seeing boxes and bags and “stuff” in general in piles or heaps. It doesn’t look professional or present items that may have value or be of interest.
When taking photos (even in a hoarder property) clear enough room to create a small stage to photograph some of the more interesting items. Make sure that the photos are in focus, without glare from a flash, lights or sunshine. If possible keep some dark cloth and some white or off white cloth with you to create a nondescript back drop. That old saying a photo is worth a thousand words is true and can be the most effective way to create interest in a sale.
If you are taking photos of interesting items to post on listing sites, make sure you know what they are before you post. Professionalism is paramount in the estate liquidation business today more than ever before. With so many estate sale companies now in business you never know when a perspective seller is looking at an estate sale to decide whether your company should be under consideration.
Good photos will help your estate sale success and that affects the financial bottom line for both parties.