Last updated on July 6th, 2023 at 10:02 pm
When there are a lot of estate sale companies in your area, it can be tough to choose the right one. These tips can help you find the right estate sale company and prepare for a successful sale.
1. Attend An Estate Sale
Have you ever attended an estate sale? Come shop at one before you have one of your own! Attending an estate sale will give you a better idea of what to expect when you host your own sale.
Estate sales happen in Seattle and other cities every weekend. You can find out about estate sales online on estatesales.net, on estatesales.org, from local estate sale companies, or maybe from signs in your neighborhood.
2. Interview More Than One Estate Sale Company
There is likely more than one company in your area that helps with estate sales. Before you hire one, look over what each company has to offer. Many companies offer different services and have different levels of expertise.
3. Interview an Estate Sale Company In Person
In-person interviews will give you a better idea of who you are hiring! Make sure this is someone you would like to do business with. Do not hire anyone over the phone.
4. Do Not Throw Anything Away
Do not throw anything away before the meeting estate sale company. Some things you may think are trash can be worth quite a bit of money, so make sure you have an expert take a look at everything first.
Don’t worry about any messes or making room. Most experienced estate sale companies have seen it all!
5. Check That They Charge Taxes
All estate sale companies should be charging sales tax in the state of Washington. Make sure the company you hire charges tax to customers buying items at your sale!
6. Get a Contract
Contracts are extremely important. Your estate sale contract should detail when the estate sale will be held, how much the company is charging, and when you will get paid.
A contract will tell you whether the estate sale company charges additional fees such as setup or credit card fees. Do not hire a company without a contract.
7. Check That They Are Insured, Licensed, and Bonded
Is the company insured? Ask to see a copy of the insurance coverage, license, and bond. These safeguards will protect you and your home.
The company you hire should be insured for any accident or injury that could result during the setup process or at the estate sale. These kinds of problems rarely happen, but you should make sure you are covered just in case of the unexpected.
8. Ask About the Company’s Experience
What experience does the company you hire have? How many years have they been in business? How knowledgeable are they about selling the items you are selling?
It’s a good idea to ask these questions before hiring an estate sale company. You want to work with someone who has the experience to do a good job.
9. Ask If They Have an Appraiser
Does the company have a personal property appraiser on staff? An appraiser should be either
certified or accredited through an appraisal organization.
The top two organizations for appraiser certification are ISA (International Society of Appraisers) and AAA (Appraisers Association of America). If your estate sale company does not have a fully qualified appraiser on staff, they should at least have someone who does a walkthrough to make sure items are priced correctly.
10. Check Online For Reviews
Check online for reviews about the company you are hiring. Are their past clients repeatedly bringing up the same issues? Are there negative reviews from reliable sources?
Make sure you do your research before hiring an estate sale company.
Are you looking for an estate sale company in Seattle? Reach out to Fruitcocktail Collectables today. We offer competitive fees and over two decades of experience with estate sales and appraisals.