Re: OT:LONG: Help/advice for a quilting friend

My family just went through something similar.  When looking for an
estate seller, ask

What is your experience?
How many estates do you sell per year?
Will you give me references?
Do you specialize in particular kinds of items?
How do you handle the walk through and evaluation?
Will I get a written copy of your valuation/estimates?
What are your fees or commissions?
Will we get the money and then pay you, or will you get the money and
then pay us?
Will you try to sell specialty items (collections, etc.) to dealers to
get better prices?
What sort of contacts for specialty dealers do you have?
How will you advertise? Who pays?
How will the sale be conducted?  In the home?  At an auction barn?
Who is liable for anything damaged/any injuries during your sale?
Are you bonded/insured?
Who is responsible for setting up any displays at the sale?
If the sale is off site, who is repsonsible for getting the items
there?
If more than one estate is being sold at a time, how will the items be
marked or credited to the correct seller?
What is your lead time? (busy, reputable companies may have a waiting
list.)
If the property includes titled items (cars, house, condo, etc.), who
is responsible for transfer titles and fees?
What about unsold items?  Will you arrange for donation to charity or
disposal?
What about bad checks you accept?  Will you make them good for the
seller?
What is the timetable for evaluation, prep, sale, clean up?

Any reputable company should be able to satisfy you on all of these
points.  They can't guarantee you any prices or any net sale amount,
but they should make you feel comfortable and be willing to keep
scrupulous records that you can see at any time. Definitely check
current references.

Monique in TX



"DeNise (DeNise Hardy-Green)" wrote:
> 
> Thank you for reading this! When  I need help with a problem I check
> in with  the wisest and kindest folks around; my cyberguild!  My
> current question concerns how I might be able to help a couple of
> friends in the guild I belong to.  Condensed version: One friend has
> been confined to an extended care facility for an recently suffered
> injury that required surgery. She is also struggling with many other
> chronic health issues and has been admitted to a rehab center/nursing
> facility for care that may last for years. This lady has no family
> interested in her current state of affairs. She is single and had been
> living alone and as I understand it, in distressed financial
> condition. She is an extremely private person. In any event, she must
> now vacate her present apartment (her landlord wants to rent to a new
> tenant). She is confined to a wheelchair and current pain medication
> does not provide her the mental clarity necessary  to make these life
> altering decisions. As guild members some of us have pitched in to try
> to do what we can to help her as much as possible.  Another friend has
> taken on the lion's share of this task. She has many acquaintances in
> the health care field who have been wonderful providing assistance.
> But she is on the verge of being overwhelmed and has asked me to help
> out if I am able to do so. So here is what I am trying to find out.
> Has anyone had any experience with companies that perform estate sales
> or household liquidations? What kind of questions should one ask? What
> should one  avoid?  I am so far out of my league on this one, but I
> have to learn quickly. I have no power of attorney rights, so I am
> strictly acting as a fact finder to help my friends.   Thanks to all
> in advance for your responses - I know I have come to the right forum.
> Please remember my friends in your prayers.
> DeNise
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]