Tag Archives: estate liquidator
Estate Sale Companies Need Their Own Email List
Estate sale companies need an email list. Preferably their own. Why?
Most estate sale companies set out a estate sale email list for their sales, however, not all buyers may be appropriate to invite back.
An estate sale company that has it’s own culled list of buyers know who they are dealing with, what they buy and when necessary for a private liquidation who to invite.
Estate sale listing websites have email blast lists, however, this is an anyone can sign up list.
Estate liquidators want to attract as many buyers as possible, but most companies have their own list for sales where the client doesn’t want the general public or the buyers must be in controlled numbers.
It is in the best interest of sellers and estate sale companies to keep separate lists.
As a buyer ask the estate liquidator if they have a list and do they keep track of buyers that buy or look for specific items.
This is a good time to remind buyers, that estate sale etiquette is important to be maintained on a private list. To review what estate sale etiquette is click here on this link.
Another Monday starts with estate sales beginning on Thursday, just four days away.
A New Challenge For Estate Sale Companies In 2017
2017 is ushering in new challenges for estate sale companies.
New liquidation firms (auction houses) in particular are expanding to meet the constantly changing requirements of liquidating personal property.
Many auction companies have been servicing the public selling their personal property, however, bigger auction houses are now becoming engaged with liquidating personal property that they otherwise would not auction off.
Once again the term vetted is being used, but the question is who sets the vetting requirements and standards? With no national requirements it is important that sellers ask in depth how a company determines what vetting requirements they have and how they arrived at them.
Many associations require specific requirements from their members, however, this is not a national or state regulation. USPAP – used in appraisal (mainly real estate, but also for appraisers of personal property) is one of the few regulated requirements. Please see the USPAP article in our archives by Judy Martin, ISA, CAPP. Just type in USPAP in the search area on the left side of the front page.
Estate sale companies are challenged by these new firms entering the market place. Established estate liquidators have a working knowledge of personal property and the many needs for a successful sale. Auction companies that also sell personal property on a regular basis also understand what is required for them to succeed.
Sellers as recommended several times here on EstateSalesNews.com be sure you do your own due diligence. Take responsibility before you sign a contract with a company that you are satisfied you have asked all the appropriate questions and feel trust and confidence in the liquidator you are hiring. It’s your financial bottom line.
What’s Happening With Estate Sale Attendance?
What’s happening with estate sale attendance?
This past weekend several estate sale companies in the west posted photos of the lines at their estate sales.
Many estate sale companies had hundreds of people lined up. In many cases where the sales lasted three to four days with discounting on days two through four they sold to the walls.
Some east coast companies have discussed this hasn’t been the scenario for them.
Sellers, it is important to realize that your location and what you have for sale can make a huge difference.
There are southern estate sale companies as well as midwest estate sale companies that have also had high or low attendance and sales. Location and the economy in the area are very important.
When you sit down to discuss your sale with your estate liquidator talk about location and the economy.
Ask what they expect and will they be discounting and how. Talk about your goal. Is it to empty the property? Are you going to be upset if discounts are given and items don’t sell for what had been hoped for.
One estate sale company conducted a pop up sale without a lengthy detailed description. They have a large email list of regulars. They emailed them about the sale along with the ads that were placed. Having an email list of regular customers can be crucial to a sales success. The featured photo shows the line of hundreds of people for this sale. This is just a sample of what’s happening at many estate sales.
Whereever you are located talk to your estate sale company about realistic expectations. Question what will be necessary to achieve success.
Cyber Attack On Twitter Prevents EstateSalesNews.com Tweet
A cyber attack on Twitter prevented EstateSalesNews.com from tweeting it’s Friday article. We were able to tweet the article late Friday afternoon.
Twitter wasn’t the only website attacked. It also involved Netflix and other major websites.
It is important to call this to our audience attention. Cyber attacks can occur on any website. This is disconcerting about social media sites because thousand of estate liquidators use them.
This is an important concern for any estate sale company using social media.
As perspective sellers or buyers be sure if you receive emails on a regular basis that you check the estate sale company website in case an email does not arrive on schedule in your mail box so you won’t miss any news or upcoming estate sale info.
Estate Sales Friday
It’s estate sales Friday. There are many estate sales across the country.
East coast to west coast, north to south estate sales are happening by the thousands.
High end estate sales, hoarder sales, estate sales with collections, privately listed estate sales.
If you are looking for an estate sale company this is a great weekend to go out and visit estate sales in your area.
Check out the way they handle entering the sale. How does the estate sale appear. Is it staged well? Are signs posted about all sales final, no returns, forms of payments accepted, security and more?
Look at the way items are priced and tagged. Did they use tags, adhesive tape, stickers and what type of items were they placed on. Ephemera especially should be carefully tagged (best in a plastic bag) and then a sticker on the bag so no damage to the item.
It is also time to think about what you might need for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. Now is a great time to start shopping for dishes, glassware, flatware, decorations etc.
A reminder – PLEASE read the terms, conditions, and descriptions of each estate sale on the various advertising websites. Being empowered with knowledge before attending an estate sale is very important for many reasons.
Bring you estate sale kit with you, including flashlight, bags and boxes, wrapping, water and a loop or magnifying glass..
Be sure to check out each one of these estate sale advertising websites. Many estate liquidators only use one advertising website. Don’t forget to check out Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too.
Happy shopping and here is where you can find estate sales this weekend.
Know Before You Go – Read Estate Sale Info And Terms
Before you go to any estate sales be sure to read the ads on the internet.
Advertising listing websites such as EstateSale.com provide information about the terms, conditions, entrance system, and contents of the sale as provided by the estate sale company.
The estate sale company also includes photos of the sale, but just looking at photos isn’t sufficient.
Understanding what is being sold or not is key to your success at the sale.
Being aware and knowledgeable about the terms and conditions of the estate sale is very important.
The ad should contain information about the sale, parking, forms of payment accepted. If you are buying furniture do you need to bring your own assistance. It should also include if they will be discounting on the first day or if they have any discount policy.
Going to any estate sale that you have seen on the internet without reading the ad and the terms and conditions can become a problem for both the estate sale company and buyers.
Most estate liquidators are extremely busy during the estate sale. Having to explain details that were available on advertising sites takes up valuable time and can be irritating. Estate sale companies are trying to sell, prevent theft, and assist buyers that may have questions pertaining to age or working condition.
So know before you go to the estate sale is good estate sale etiquette and can be a valuable benefit.
Where To Find An Estate Sale Company
Where to find an estate sale company? Your editor had a friend contact her recently about finding an estate sale company who works in her area for another friend.
I advised her I did not know anyone, but would work my estate sale networks.
We are waiting to hear back now, but some thoughts about this.
When asking the members of the networks I belong to I asked them if they “know” someone. In other words have familiarity with their company and ethics. The way they prepare and handle a sale.
In today’s world with so many companies and associations and organizations offering to help you find an estate sale company it is important to ask the working liquidators to assist in your search.
If you need to find an estate liquidator seek advice from people that know someone personally. People in the estate liquidation industry want to provide good advice. They want to provide you with a qualified, ethical estate sale company. It reflects on them too.
Estate sale advertising websites can only provide you with companies that work in the area by zip code or towns. They do not have the ability to personally know the thousands of estate sale companies that advertise on them.
Use your resources wisely. Ask friends, attorneys and Realtors not looking for renumeration. Realtors cannot accept referrals fees of any kind from an estate sale company. All fees belong to their brokers.
EstateSalesNews.com offers many resources and suggestions on how to find an estate sale company and they are free to all. We urge you to use them.
Be an informed consumer and make a knowledgeable choice. It’s you or your friends financial bottom line.
Estate Sale Companies Cannot Be Biased
Estate sale companies cannot be biased.
It is against federal law for an estate liquidator to not permit people based on their race, ethnicity, religion or sexual preference from attending your estate sale.
Estate liquidators that encounter such bias will likely excuse themselves from the interview and exit the property.
Federal law does not permit this kind of discrimination in any business including real estate and estate sales.
Recently this happened to an estate sale company and they immediately left the home.
The only persons not allowed at estate sales are known thieves, persistent trouble makers, people that tend to be physically threatening and those that have passed bad checks or commit credit card fraud.
Although there isn’t any federal regulation on estate sales, there is federal law about discrimination and that affects all businesses.
Having a broad attendance at your estate sale increases the likely hood of achieving success. It doesn’t matter who spends, the important thing is that they spend.
EstateSalesNews.com has not addressed this issue before and we want this to be the only time.
Wishing you a happy Monday.
Where Does Estate Sale Experience Come From?
Time to ask the question where does estate sale experience come from?
More organizations, associations and societies are entering the estate sale field.
The question arises, where do they get their expertise in the estate sale field from? Some of the owners of estate sale companies are members of appraisal organizations such as ISA, CAGA or ASA. They have completed courses of study by these associations. Have met their requirements including experience, years in the business and a code of ethics and professional conduct they adhere to.
Many estate liquidators started out as helpers or apprenticed at estate sales. A great way to acquire knowledge about personal property, antiques, and art.
Others have taken courses such as the Fine Art course offered by NYU.
Each of these estate sale associations, societies and organizations has written their own code of ethics. There isn’t a national code of ethics or a state code of ethics.
Estate Sale Commission Last Consideration!
The estate sale commission is your last consideration and here is why.
So many estate sale companies have come on line in the last three plus years competition has become fierce. Many new companies try to compete with a lower commission.
When looking to hire an estate sale company, the estate sale commission should not be what influences your decision. Consider the following before you even ask about the commission.
How long has the company been in business? How did the liquidator gain knowledge and experience to sell personal property contents?
Ask about the estate sale company staff and if they have experience.
Advertising is so important with so many estate sales. Ask where and how they advertise. Do they have a private email list of customers that they send to each week?
How do they conduct their set-up and staging.
Do they research for pricing and where do they look for information. eBay should not be the only answer. Experienced estate liquidators know where to research.
