Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Why use an estate service?
Typically because of our years of experience and expertise we get top dollar for your household, antiques and collectible items.
We are able to be emotionally detached from your possessions and price them at fair market values to get our clients the most money possible. We save you time, money and give you emotional peace of mind.
Our first meeting is no cost no obligation.
What do you do?
We sit down with you and listen as you tell us what you want to accomplish. We carefully consider what you tell us, what you want to sell, and we can tell you the market for your merchandise.
How do you organize the sale?
We study the physical arrangement of your home and property. We provide all of the resources needed to sort, organize, display, research, price, advertise, and sell the contents of the home or estate in a professional manner. We provide exceptional attention to detail, with many years of experience identifying and valuing antiques and collectibles. We offer a variety of comprehensive services that we can tailor to meet the needs of each client. Then we custom design a unique plan that will most effectively accomplish your goals. It takes considerable time to set up the sale if the house is packed and if necessary we wash, polish and clean everything we set up for display. We organize arrange and display items in the most attractive manner possible so that they will be appealing to potential buyers. Small valuable items are placed in a locked display cabinet or case and large valuables are placed where they can easily be monitored and safeguarded. We supply all of the tables, lighting, display cases, manpower & cash register, just about everything to run a successful sale.
Throughout the liquidation process we treat your house and it’s contents with the utmost respect. We understand that a lifetime of memories is hard to part with. We’ve been there and done this for our own families!
How do you know what will sell?
What kind of things do we sell? Everything imaginable! We have extensive experience selling antiques, collectibles, estate property and anything and everything that can be found in a private residence. When pricing your household we consider all markets, including eBay and other factors relating to the item, ensuring the best possible price for you. Our selling experience ranges from fine jewelry, costume jewelry, to cars, to a Harley Davidson “hog” baby grand pianos, antique to modern furniture, books, bronzes, fine art, garden, household stuff, glassware, sterling silver, Hummel’s, Lladro, jade, garden items, all types of sporting goods, tools both newer, vintage and antique, quilts, pottery, linens, clothing, American Indian artifacts, blankets, vintage hats, clothing & shoes, toys, dolls, old photos, paper goods, ephemera, Tupperware, sterling, silver plate and flatware, scrap gold, coins, stamps, fabric, sewing items and even the kitchen sink.
Do you negotiate the prices?
All prices are firm the first day of the sale. We negotiate with the buyers on the second day of the sale. We have a good working knowledge of what the fair market value is and get the best prices possible for your treasures and household items.
Do you clean up after the sale?
At the end of the sale the result should be generally a cleaned out home with just a few things left to donate, Disposal of items that are left are generally garage sale type items or things that have a low desirability. The owner has the option to dispose of, or retain those items on there own, donate them to charity or arrange prior to the beginning of the sale with Alice’s Estate Services to dispose of the leftovers at the end of the sale. If you choose to have us dispose of the remainder, Alice’s will leave the premises broom clean and provide the owner with a tax deductible receipt from the charity of your choice. We dispose of ordinary household trash and recycling at no charge to you providing you maintain your normal garbage service. If their is excessive trash or you have discontinued your trash service, we will dispose of it at an additional cost to you. We do not dispose of hazardous waste or hazardous materials. Disposal of unsold items and a complete clean out are optional.
Why should we hire you?
When you hire us to conduct your Estate Sale you are getting, our experience and expertise, our ability to attract buyers, our ability to sell your property for top dollar, and our ability to solve problems. We supply all of the necessary supplies and equipment, trained personnel, business experience, product knowledge, people skills, and market knowledge to conduct a successful estate sale for you.
We have an outstanding reputation for honesty, integrity, professionalism and service. I am happy to provide references upon request.
What if you find a family item?
Often times we find items that have been hidden or stashed away. These are set aside for family members to see and make a decision about. And yes we do find money and jewelry in odd places. We’ve found Jewelry in old paint cans, money in the bottom of boxes or stuffed in the toe of a shoe. We check everything!
Do you buy from the sale?
At this time I do not have a separate antique business. I can sell your high value items for you in a venue such as eBay. Some of my helpers are antique dealers or have antique mall spaces. If a staff member chooses to purchase an item from the sale they must pay full retail just as the general public does.
Most of what is in my parent’s home is junk
As liquidators, we’ve found such things as gun collections, (We’ve found them in garbage bags), gold jewelry, coins, watches, fine jewelry, rings and jewelry, real photo postcard collections, old photos, quilts, linens and some really excellent artwork by listed artists. Not everything is a treasure, but most homes have something for everyone. Some homes are full of wonderful things.
My mom and dad weren’t rich
Estate sales of the rich are hardly the norm for most liquidators. Most of our sales are homes of average families. Many have collectibles & antiques and items that cost very little to purchase initially. Many ephemera (paper) pieces and early tin pieces were inherited from family and are hand me downs, many items of value reside in normal homes.
I need to clean up first and have a garage sale before I do an estate sale.
Please, do us and every other liquidator a favor and "leave it" alone. Be sure not to clean, throw, sort, or get rid of ANYTHING prior to calling a liquidator to empty the house. Yes this includes the spice cupboard too! Too many times your idea of "cleaning" is a liquidator's idea of getting rid of items that are highly desirable. We are professionals and decide, sort, clean and display everything for sale. It’s our job and relieves the burden from the family members.
Do you recycle?
As estate liquidators we really are a green business, as we try and find a new home for everything in the estate. By liquidating the contents of the home we are saving landfills from being filled with useful items.