FAQs About Fruitcocktail Collectables

Last updated on October 3rd, 2023 at 01:38 am

Got a question about Fruitcocktail Collectables’ services? We’re happy to help. Here are some of the answers to our most frequently asked questions.

General FAQs

What services does Fruitcocktail Collectables, LLC offer?

We appraise art, antiques, jewelry, collections, and other personal property items. We are ISA-accredited professional appraisers with over 25 years of experience.

Our team also helps clients sell items through estate sales, online auctions, and consignment services. We offer full-service estate sale management, including advertising, pricing, setting up, and running the sale.

What geographic area do you serve?

Fruitcocktail Collectables helps clients throughout the Puget Sound region. Our office warehouse is in the SODO neighborhood of Seattle.

How do I schedule a consultation?

You can call (206) 669-0540 or email us through our website contact page.

Estate Sale FAQs

How do I set up an estate sale with Fruitcocktail?

Please schedule a consultation to see if we are a good fit for your needs and begin the process.

For each sale, we:

Research pricing for the fair market value and current marketplace
Plan and advertise the sale through various online platforms, Facebook, and email lists
Provide display and banquet tables, lace tablecloths, locking velvet-lined jewelry display cases, garment racks, signs, and more
Mark prices and set up a cash register that takes credit cards with a modern tap feature
Manage the sale and provide security and helpers

Do you offer estate clean-out services after a sale?

Yes, we offer estate clean-out or empty house services to help you prepare the house for the real estate market. If you don’t sell everything during your estate sale, we can help you get rid of the remaining items through donations and other services.

How do you advertise estate sales?

We advertise estate sales and online auctions in different ways depending on the item and sales context. We often use a combination of social media, estate sale websites, physical board signs, and our exclusive contact lists of potential buyers.

How can I stay updated on your upcoming estate sales and auctions?

To learn about upcoming estate sales and auctions, please sign up for our email updates at the bottom of our homepage.

Appraisal FAQs

What types of items do you specialize in appraising?

We appraise many types of items, including art, antiques, jewelry, jade, records, coins, vintage clothing, rare comics, and other valuable collections.

Why should I hire a professional appraiser for my valuables?

There are many reasons to hire a professional appraiser. Many people get appraisals done for estate planning, probate, division of property during divorce, or trust inventories. You may also need to get a valuable item appraised before selling it.

The IRS requires appraisals for estates valued over a certain value threshold. As of this writing, assets worth $2,193,000 or more per individual are subject to estate tax in Washington state.

Are your appraisers accredited or certified?

Yes, we are accredited through the International Society of Appraisers (ISA). The ISA requires strict ethical standards and up-to-date appraisal techniques, with regularly updated testing. We are also licensed through the State of Washington, bonded by Western Surety Company, and insured by Higginbotham.

Alyssa Stevens, the owner and manager of Fruitcocktail Collectables, has been appraising art, general household goods, 20th–century design, and antiques since 1996. She is a member of the 2023-24 ISA Board of Directors and was an ISA Chapter President from 2008-19. She has a BFA in Art History from Cornish College of the Arts and is a member of the Decorative Arts Trust.

How do you determine the value of items during an appraisal?

We used different appraisal techniques depending on the item in question.

Most appraisals involve inspecting the item and examining any related documents you have. From there, we research auction records, private sales records, and other details about comparable items to determine the market value. We may use more item-specific techniques to check that the item is genuine.

Many factors can affect the value of an item, such as:

The condition of the item, including whether it has been restored
Whether the item is rare, signed, or part of a special collection
The artist, designer, or maker
The quality of the material(s)
Whether a painting is genuine or a print
Any artistic techniques used to create the item
The purpose of the appraisal (the fair market value for estate taxes may be different from the replacement value for insurance purposes)
Market trends

Consignment and Auction FAQs

Can I consign my items with Fruitcocktail Collectables, LLC?

Yes, you can. We offer high-end consignment services for art, paintings, silver, coins, estates, jewelry, and more. Please contact us if you are interested in our consignment services.

Do you offer online or in-person auctions?

We only offer online auctions at this time.

Where should I bring my items before my auction?

If you are in the Puget Sound area, we can catalog the items in either your home or our office warehouse. We are located in the SODO neighborhood of Seattle at 3201 1st Ave South, Suite 111, Seattle, WA 98134.