There are many reasons you may find yourself looking for an estate sale company. Whether you are downsizing and moving into a smaller space or have lost a loved one, and you just have too many memories in your current home, choosing the right company like one of the best estate sales companies in Portland, Oregon will bring you peace of mind.
Irrespective of the reason behind your search, a trustworthy estate sale company will ease your stress and help you cope with whatever life transition you are going through. This article addresses the common questions that come to mind, including where to start looking, who you can trust, and who to hire.
Finding The Right Estate Sale Company For Your Needs
Many companies offer estate sale services; however, not all of them are right for you or your needs. You can begin with a simple internet search for local estate sale companies or estate liquidators. Searching for estate liquidation companies or estate sale companies around you can present options you didn’t know you had.
The United States has over 14,000 estate sale companies and estate liquidators, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find options to choose from. The difficulty comes in when you are looking for a company that suits your needs.
After your search, the next step of thinning your options. You’ll be presented with small and large estate sale companies, new and old companies too. It would help if you went through the services offered by each suggested company to know whether they fit your needs and current situation. Some companies may offer high-end auctions, while others may be certified appraisers. If you are looking for the traditional on-site sale, you’d be better off looking for companies that offer tag sales.
Depending on the extent of involvement you want to be in the process, you may also scout for companies that offer a full range of services, including move management, auctions, sales, cleanouts, and other services. Select a few of the companies that meet your needs and schedule a consultation meeting with them.
Initial Consultation Should Always Be Free
Many companies are looking for new ways to attract new customers, leading to many offering free consultation. Your initial consultation meeting with the estate sale companies on your list should be free. In this meeting, you should aim to learn more about each of the companies, what they offer, their prices, attention to detail, and whether they are the best fit for your needs.
Many of these companies will offer to send a representative over to inspect and appraise what you have for sale. Typically, the initial consultation meeting will last anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes, so you should not be too scared of spending too much of your time. Furthermore, the representative should give you an estimate of their service cost. If you have a few antiques and artwork to sell, the company may need to do a little homework to bring you up to speed regarding its cost. If your items need moving, an estimate of the labor cost should be provided. Always make sure that you ask important questions and make your demands known during this meeting.
Ask For Their Insurance
Accidents happen all the time. An estate sale company without insurance coverage may be unable to cater to damages to your expensive items. Before making the hiring choice:
- Ask about the estate liquidator’s insurance policy and what is covered.
- Inquire about what happens if there is a problem during the liquidation processes, whether during the initial sorting, cleaning, set up, or sale of your items.
- Know that the company has insurance coverage for your items as well as for their staff.
How Does The Company Market Its Sale?
Marketing is key, especially if you wish to command good money for your items. Estate sale companies with a high net worth circle will most likely fetch you more money for your items than the regular ones. Ask the company about their marketing efforts as well as their sales record. There is a huge chance you can profit from your sale if the company can attract high net worth individuals to the sale.
Get It All In Writing
Verbal promises do not hold water, especially when there is a dispute. To protect yourself and make sure that the estate liquidators deliver as promised:
- Get every one of their promises in writing.
- Before making the hiring decision, ask the company to present the terms of the agreement in writing and make sure to look over the document carefully.
- If you can afford it, hire a lawyer to take a look at it. The contract should include all the agreed-upon terms, including the commission, date of sale, services rendered, the payment date for items sold, and more.
All of these steps can help you choose a company to trust for your estate sale needs. Following them can also increase your chances of satisfaction from the sale.