Category Archives: Learn About Estate Sales
Estate Sales News Celebrates Our 2nd Birthday
Two years ago today we started publishing EstateSalesNews.com. This online news magazine and resource has continued to evolve and over the next several weeks we will be introducing new and we hope exciting additions.
We celebrate today and give our sincere thanks to those who have we have been part of this growth. Our feature guest authors (Judy Martin and Julie Hall, both appraisers and experienced liquidators. Judy is a director of the International Society of Appraisers, ISA. Julie is also the director and owner of the American Society of Estate Liquidators).
Estate Sales News has traveled to California, Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, Nevada, Missouri, and Florida to name a few of the states we have spent time in covering news worthy estate sales.
We attended and reported on two Estate Sale Conferences and we spoke about estate sale contracts at the 2014 conference. We went to the headquarters of EstateSales.NET in Jackson, MO, interviewing Dan and Micky McQuade, the founders and owners.
We have had guest articles from Lofty, (an online auction site), CRTS (Certified Relocation Transition Specialists), Lela of TrashFindRedesigned (turning estate sale and other finds into great repurposed items). We hope we haven’t left anyone unmentioned.
We would also like to thank our advertisers who have supported us. Please support them if you are part of our audience.
Our goal two years ago was to inform and provide a resource for estate sale sellers, buyers, and estate sale companies. We have and continue to talk about how to choose an estate sale company, estate sale tips, estate sale contracts, staging the sale, estate sale etiquette, pricing, what is an estate sale, dealing with the uncomfortable moments that can occur with sellers or buyers, rare or unique finds and more.
Entering our third year we will continue to present information to keep you informed on the wide world of estate sales.
Thanks for being part of our history and we look forward to continuing the future with you.
Estate Sales Information – Know What You’re Selling And What You’re Buying
In a January article on manta (we included that in part 1 of increasing your audience on February 23rd) they discussed the important topic of knowing what you are selling and being informed about value.
This is important to estate sale companies. When describing your estate sale you want to make sure that you have adequately researched the items you have questions about to be able to present accurate information and price accordingly.
Many buyers today are very educated on what they see at estate sales. If you want to get your seller the best possible price at the sale, make certain you have done your due diligence and don’t just use Ebay. There are many resources available for information on the internet to assist you. Don’t hesitate to contact a local appraiser (well worth their fee) to be a knowledgeable estate sale liquidator. Estate sale companies are experienced and knowledgeable, but like anything else, you can’t always know it all and being resourceful is good business and showcases your many estate sale liquidation qualifications. ISA (International Association of Appraisers) , ASA (American Society of Appraisers), and CAGA (Certified Appraisers Guild of America) trained appraisers are available across the country. Look on their websites to find one in your area. We have provided a link to each appraiser group, just click on the link. Both Judy Martin and Julie Hall are appraisers and have written articles in the past for Estate Sales News.
Buyers, if you are attending an estate sale you too should be informed. Attempting to purchase an item (without knowing what it is or is worth) and making inappropriate offers is a good way to alienate an estate sale company and perhaps have them prevent you from attending any of their future sales. Remember they represent a seller, have a fiduciary, and it is not their personal property to give away.
What’s Selling At Estate Sales – Estate Sales Friday – A Preview
Estate Sales News is traveling today, but we wanted to show you what you can find at an estate sale today if you are able to travel safely.
In Westlake Village, California with Crown City Estate Sales this pair of wood carnival wheel of fortune spinners.
At an estate sale in Richmond, Virginia by Martha’s Mixture – On Location Estate Sales Services carousel horses.
These are just quick examples of what can be found across the country at estate sales. 1000’s of sales just waiting for you. Check with the estate sale company if you were involved in storm Thor and stay safe out there.
You can find these sales and more at:
We are passionate about estate sales, vintage, and antiques.
And don’t forget to set your clocks ahead an hour this Saturday.
Vintage Camper Trailers Have New Life As Food Truck and Photo Lounge
ThrowBack Thursday today are photos we took last evening at First Wednesday in downtown Jacksonville, Florida.
One camper trailer is serving boutique coffees and the other is being used as a photo lounge.
A great repurpose of vintage camper trailers. Check out estate sales for great items to repurpose and go green.
Generating A Bigger Audience For Estate Sales – Advertising Is Crucial Part 2
Monday, February 23rd, we discussed five websites where you could include your estate sale company and website information. Today we will continue with more ways to grow the audience for estate sale buyers and sellers.
It is important to have print items as well.
Having a brochure (it can be two sided or a tri-fold) that describes your company and the services you provide is an excellent way of displaying your company and professionalism. It should include enough information that will interest perspective sellers wanting to call you and inquire further. It should include a some of your history, a few photos, your company logo, website address, and your telephone number.
You may want to consider (if your state or community permits) having magnetic signs made with your company name, logo, and phone number to go on the driver door and passenger front door of your vehicle. Some estate sale companies have gone to the extent of having their vehicle wrapped with advertising information.
Always have a stack of business cards at every sale. They are important for buyers and future sellers.
Having a small tripod that can be placed on a table near a cashier or staff member with notices of future sales is also important. It generates future interest. Just make sure it does not distract your cashier.
A guest book or email list near the check out is an excellent way to grow your email contacts.
Write your customers a newsletter. You can do this through various estate sale listing websites or Constant Contact. Keep them informed about sales and any news about your business. If you recently sold an unusual or difficult item let them know this. Also remind them what type of payments you accept and the terms of your sales. If you use one of several methods for orderly entry (sign-up list, numbers, etc) that should be included in every newsletter. Let them know about any new websites your company can be viewed on. You can even mention parking conditions at various sales. Keeping buyers (and future sellers if they would like to be included) informed is a vital way to get your message out to the public. Be sure to ask them to share your newsletter with friends or family as well.
If you have local newspapers that have readership you may want to advertise your company with them.
We also want to focus today on an important website that is often overlooked by estate sale companies. Pinterest. Estate Sales News uses this website to showcase estate sales and estate sale items. This is an excellent area to feature your sale photos and videos. We currently have 40 boards. If you are a member of Pinterest please visit us at this link.
Another new and popular website is Instagram. This site allows you to share social networking with photos and videos. It is another way to showcase your estate sale items, staging, and videos of your sales and testimonials.
We will continue providing information on audience generation and advertising next Monday.
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Shirley Temple and Steiff – ThrowBack Thursday On Estate Sales News
Phoenix Estate Sales starts a sale today in Richmond, VA (we aren’t sure about the fact it is snowing and if they will be delayed) that features among this eclectic sale Shirley Temple dolls and Steiff animals among many antique dolls and doll accessories.
Shirley Temple, child star in Hollywood was a symbol of better things to hopefully come during the great depression of the 1930’s. The original Shirley Temple doll was composite starting in 1934-1935.
The Steiff company was started in Germany in the late 1880’s and created the teddy bear in 1902. Since then, Steiff animals (particularly early ones in good to excellent condition) have become highly collectible.
Here are two photos from the sale featuring Shirley Temple and some Steiff bears. The Owl at the top of this article is Steiff and belongs to your Estate Sales News editor.
Great Websites To Include Your Website On And Generate A Bigger Internet Presence Part 1
Thousands of estate sale companies are listed on websites that are primarily for listing estate sale companies and their estate sales, however, there are more sites where you can showcase your company.
Merchant Circle is a local directory where you can list your company and general information. You can use it to offer coupons, testimonials, blog, and more. Your Estate Sales News editor used this website for many years prior to selling her estate liquidation business.
Manta is another website that my estate sale company was listed on. It offers companies the opportunity to list their company, logo, and even include photos.
LinkedIn is an important website for estate sale company owners to publish your information, background, and connect with others in the estate liquidation industry and related industries.
Hotfrog was a website we discovered years ago and had a link to on our front page until we sold our business. It is a business search engine and another way to create a link for your company on the internet.
You can also use websites like YellowPages (known as YP) and Kudzu (our estate liquidation business also use to be included on these website as well).
There are many more websites to connect to. Using these websites and others we haven’t even mentioned along with estate sale listing websites is just another way to improve your internet visibility and in turn reach a broader audience.
This is important to acquire buyers for your estate sales, sellers, and for sellers to find estate sale companies.
ThrowBack Thursday On Estate Sales News – Sound, Radio & Tape Recorder
Today we take a “listen” back in time when sound wasn’t through an iPod, but with a reel to reel tape recorder or vintage radio.
Find these vintage items and more at estate sales.
When looking for estate sales to attend this weekend check out these websites EstateSale.org , EstateSales.NET , Estatesale.com and Estatesale.company
When A Loved One Dies Unexpectedly What To Do?
Your editor recently lost a close friend at an early age to cancer. Reading the news on MSN we have seen this happen with a New York Times Reporter, singer Lesley Gore, and many more.
At this very vulnerable time for you emotionally the decision of what to do is paramount?
It is very important that you have a relative(s) or friend(s) that you have confidence and trust in to be there not just for much needed emotional support, but to keep you from acting to quickly on the disposition of personal affects. Often times we want to “wrap” things up thinking this may ease the pain, but in most cases this will not help and you could be disposing of items of value emotionally and financially. That old saying “two heads are better than one” is most appropriate at this time.
After allowing yourself some time to mourn it is a good time to start looking for an estate liquidator. When you start (you can learn about the estate liquidation process and how to choose an estate sale company right here on EstateSalesNews.com) do not throw anything away and be sure to have a family member or friend with you as you begin the process.
It is vital for your well being to proceed step by step and when you have chosen your estate sale company feel confident and comfortable with your choice. Honesty and integrity are important for your emotional needs and the success of your estate liquidation.
