Before phoning an estate sales company and asking them your estate sales questions, take a little time and prepare.
Here is a simple pre-phone interview checklist.
- Check with your Friends, Attorney, Realtor, or Others, for their preferred estate sales company referrals.
- Find at least three different estate sales companies in your area.
- Get a notebook and prepare yourself to take lot’s of notes.
Call an estate sales company, and before asking them your estate sales questions, give them a little information about your situation.
- Give them your name and let them know the purpose of your call.
- Give them some specifics about what is in the house, noting some of the higher value items that may be found there.
- Let them know what is important to you, and what your timeliness are.
Estate sales questions to ask during a phone interview:
- Does your company work in the __________area?
- How long has your estate sales company been in business?
- What is your companies turn around time to complete the estate sales process?
- Can you fit my project’s schedule into your companies calendar?
- What are your fees? Is there a debris removal fee?
- Does your company charge any upfront or hidden fees? Is their an initial consultation fee?
- What sort of security measures does your estate sales company use to prevent theft during an estate sale? How many people do you use to staff an estate sale?
- What is personally important to you about your estate sale service?
- What is one of your companies biggest successes?
- Is your company insured, by whom, and what does your insurance cover?
Additional Thoughts and Outcomes:
- It is best to find an estate sales company that you like, and one that you can trust. Ask yourself – Has this person listened and responded with respect and courtesy?
- It is best to find an estate sales company that has a history of providing their clients with an excellent estate sales service. Ask for and check their references. Ask if they have an estate sale coming up in your area that you may visit.
- It is best to find an estate liquidation company that understands your particular problems, concerns and goals. This is important. The company you choose will be overseeing the sale of your loved ones personal property.
If you find that an Estate Liquidator is not interested in conducting an Estate Sale for you due to the modest financial value of your estate – You could do your own – The DIY Estate Sales Guide.