ESTATE SALE TIMELINE
(Words of wisdom - don't throw anything away until you
have consulted with an estate sales expert!!!!)
CONTACT GARY'S HOUSEHOLD SALES
Establish a date to meet with family or family representative to determine their needs at the proposed location
Determine what the family will retain
Determine family time frame
Identify items of value and sales limits, if any
Determine date of sale
Determine methods to remove unsold merchandise
Determine community trash removal date and restrictions
Execute estate sales contract
MARKETING THE MERCHANDISE
Gary's Household Sales staff to clean, wash, arrange, sort, and identify merchandise
Secure any family mementos, private papers, and contact family members if newly found items (money, guns, treasures)
Arrange for trash pick up or storage
Organize merchandise
Display merchandise
Price merchandise
Investigate and research unique pricing for special merchandise - counsel with family
Photograph merchandise for ad presentation
Advertise merchandise/sale via Internet, Craig's List, and Newspaper ads, frequent client database, and National Estate Sales website
Determine sufficient staff required at the sale and arrange for staff personnel
Assign staff as required to specific tasks
Contact family representative to provide an update and status on marketing activities (ongoing task)
Establish date with moving company to arrange for availability of staff for moving unsold merchandise
CONDUCTING THE SALE
Arrive one hour prior to sale to finalize last minute activities
Assign and reinforce staff responsibilities for various activities during the sale
Ensure that advertising signs are adequately located throughout the community
Make Coffee
Turn on lights, heat, air conditioning, and provide a "shopping atmosphere" for clients
Interact with clients in a friendly manner
Maintain records of sales transactions - items and cost paid
Maintain security of cash station
SELL, SELL, SELL
CLOSING THE SALE
Remove all advertising signs in the community
Pack up all merchandise remaining at the estate
Determine which unsold merchandise will be donated to which charitable organizations
Remove all trash from the premise
Reduce heating, air conditioning to minimal levels
Secure the premise
PAYMENT
Provide list or receipts of sold items (as arranged by family representative)
Provide receipt of charitable donations to family representative
Return all keys
Provide check for proceeds of the sale within two weeks
LASTING IMPRESSIONS
Family representative asks Gary's Household Sales if they can add their praises to
Gary's reference list.
