Why should I have an estate sale on site?
An on site sale offers the convenience of not having to pack and move items. Our staff will oversee the liquidation of all the items to be sold and we bring in the collectors, dealers and buyers directly to the sale. All items are inventoried in our custom database. When the sale is complete a computer generated report reflects the items sold, what they sold for and the total dollar amount of the sale, less our fee.
Why should I hire Rare-Fine? Can’t I do the job myself?
Rare-Fine’s staff is trained and knowledgeable in antiques, vintage clothing, fine and custom jewelry, silver, china, crystal and household items. We get the most for your valuables even if the items are broken, missing pieces or have seen better days.
How much will it cost to have an agent do a sale?
It will cost nothing out of pocket. Our fee is usually 35% percent of the gross proceeds of the sale. Which covers advertising, Mastercard/Visa sales and liability insurance. Depending on the condition of the property an additional cleaning fee may be charged.
What advertising will be done?
We always place an advertisement in the local news papers and advertise online at EstateSales.NET. Large professional signs are placed strategically to direct customers to the sale. All sales are listed on our web site on the home page and under the SALES section.
What things can be sold at an estate sale?
Antiques, art, appliances, automobiles, books, bric-a-brac, china, collectibles, designer and vintage clothing, electronics, furniture, jewelry, kitchenware, rugs, tools and silver. Everything in your home from A to Z.
When are estate sales usually done?
The sale itself is conducted on one weekend, often Friday & Saturday or Saturday & Sunday (or one day only), 9am to 4pm. Sign up sheet is available at 12pm on Thursday or Friday. If it’s a one day only sale, sign up sheet is available at 8am.
How much time does Rare-Fine need to prepare, conduct and complete a sale?
The more time we have to prepare the sale, search the house for valuable items and research the value, the higher the receipts will be. Arranging, cleaning and polishing items greatly increases the salability and this process takes time. Our average sale takes about 3 to 7 days to prepare, conduct and complete the sale. Since each sale varies, the actual time needed will be determined during our initial consultation.
What do you do to protect my property?
All small valuable items are collected and displayed in jewelry cases and a staff member is assigned to watch the items. A sales slip is given to the customer, once its been stamped paid, then the item is released to the buyer. A staff member is assigned at the door to verify items purchased with the receipt and larger items are taken out of another exit to insure no damage is done to the home. All customers enter and exit through one main entrance.
What do you do to maintain safe conditions during the sale?
We arrange the display tables so that they do not block traffic, and we limit the number of customers we allow in the house at one time in order to maintain a safe and smooth flow of traffic.
How do you manage the crowds of customers?
In order to manage the flow of hundreds of customers that come to the estate sales, sign up sheets are set up at noon (12:00pm) on Thursday or Friday prior to the Friday or Saturday start date or at 8:00am on one-day-only sales. The size of the house dictates how many people are allowed in at one time, but as the traffic settles down later in the day we no longer use the sign up sheet for admission.
Do you have to collect sales tax?
Yes, all Virginia businesses who conduct sales are required by law to collect sales tax, file a tax return and pay the collected sales tax. However, this does not affect the proceeds of the sale, nor is the client responsible for sales tax.
Do you negotiate prices?
Yes we do negotiate prices, but not in the early part of the sale.
Do you take bids on sale items?
Throughout the sale we make available slips of paper on which interested customers are asked to enter a description of an item and the price they are willing to pay. At 1:00PM on the last day of the sale, the bids are opened and the highest bidder gets the item. However, the bidder must be present.
What do you do with items that do not sell?
House Recycled has a great track record in being able to sell all contents of a sale and often there is not much that does not sell. After the public sale, with the consent of the owner, we can bring in dealers who will buy at discounted prices. Usable items can be picked up for donation to charity and their suggested values can be listed for deduction on the client’s income tax return.
How can I have some control on pricing?
An owner can place a minimum price for an item you feel can sell at a particular price, but this needs to be done before House Recycled invests time in researching the item or promoting its sale. It is best to attach a list of the desired minimum prices to the contract before it is signed.
Do we have to sign a contract?
Our contract is brief and non-threatening. We feel it is best to state in simple terms just what will be done, and have this understood and agreed upon in writing before we start work. We will go over the contract with you and answer any questions you may have, insuring your sale is a great success and you are pleased with our service.
Do I need to be present at the sale?
The owner certainly may be present, but be aware that your presence may decrease the proceeds of the sale. We find that the owner’s presence can be intimidating for customers and may interfere with negotiating prices. Also, seeing one’s belongings being sold can be very painful for the owner.
What should I do to prepare for an estate sale?
Keep in mind the following when preparing for the sale:
- Decide which items will not be sold and remove or secure these items before the work begins.
- Remember an estate sale involves the whole house, House Recycled needs time to plan, arrange and display all sale items from the beginning.
- Beware that, if the sale is in apartment or condominium, we must comply with the applicable regulations.
- Do not throw anything away. You may be surprised at the value of discarded items.
