Steps to your EstateHow does the estate sale process work? It's simple to understand and easy to do--especially since we do all of the work for you. The "Heartland six steps" helps you understand how and when everything happens.
Step One: Start with Your Free ConsultationWhen you contact Kenny, Steve or Rod, our owners, for your free consultation, he will start by asking you a few questions about the things you want to sell so that he can determine if Heartland Estates and Auctions, (HEA), will be a good solution for you. Once that is done, he will set up a time to meet with you at your home or at the location where the sale is to be held.
During that time, our goal is to help you understand who we are, what we do and how it all works. We will take as much time as you need. We know you will have a lot of questions and we are ready to answer them all. But, we also want you to understand why HEA is the best choice. We will talk about everything from our professional and friendly staff to our leading efforts in market research and multi-media promotion campaigns. |
TIPS ON CHOOSING AN ESTATE SALE COMPANY
What Do They Charge? Interview in Person Do NOT Throw Anything Away Removing Items After an Interview Visit a Sale Get a Contract Ask the Same Questions |
Step Two: Sale Preparation
Once you have completed your free in-home consultation and have made the smart decision to partner with HEA, we start to work immediately.
- Conduct an initial evaluation that will help us determine the general breadth and scope of your household contents.
- Begin doing preliminary research to gain a foundation of solid information that we will build on during the remainder of the evaluation process.
- Assess any specialty research that will be required which may include specialty appraisers.
- Develop a specific plan of action for our team and determine who will be responsible for each task.
- Start the setup, paying careful attention to details so that nothing is missed and potential issues are avoided.
- Bring in display cabinets and merchandising tools that will properly showcase the specific items in your sale.
- Any items that may be best liquidated in other venues such as eBay will be removed and listed on the site for auction.
Step Three: Marketing and Promoting Your Sale
We will use all the resources at our disposal to market your sale for the best possible results. We integrate traditional advertising techniques with innovative social media. This sets HEA apart from our competition. Your marketing campaign will begin immediately prior to the date of your sale.
- We take high-quality and aesthetically staged photos and prepare detailed descriptions of the items for sale.
- We dedicate websites space specific to your sale at www.qcheartlandestates.com to promote and showcase your inventory.
- Market your upcoming sale directly to our large database of customers.
- Execute an effective social media strategy that utilizes Face book
Step Four: The Big Event!
By the time your sale begins, you can be sure that every detail will be in place to ensure an outstanding and profitable event. We go above and beyond to create an exciting shopping experience that will bring in maximum revenues. Plenty of HEA staff members, including our management team, will be present at your actual sale. Each will have complete knowledge of your inventory, and will take exceptional care to manage the crowd to avoid any footprint the sale could potentially have on your home.
Most of our sales are held on two consecutive days, generally on Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The HEA team will arrive at approximately 7:30 each morning for our team meeting and to do any last minute preparations.
Most of our sales are held on two consecutive days, generally on Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The HEA team will arrive at approximately 7:30 each morning for our team meeting and to do any last minute preparations.
Step Five: Financial Analysis and Payment
When your sale is over, HEA team still has plenty of work to do. After each event, our team goes through the following evaluation steps:
- We execute a detailed financial analysis of the sale
- We create an itemized list of all items which sold for $100 or more. The financial analysis of the sale and the detailed itemized list is provided to you.
- Most importantly, is that we provide you with a check. This happens within 20-30 business days after the closing of the sale.
Step Six: Handling Your Remaining Items
Generally, HEA will be successful in selling between 80% and 90% of your household items. This means that some items will remain after the sale. What do you do with those items? Maybe you want to keep them. However, if you don’t, HEA is more than happy to schedule someone to take the rest of the items at no charge.
Tips On Choosing An Estate Sale Company
What Do They Charge?
Don't let the percentage charged be the only criteria when choosing a company. A lower percentage does not necessarily mean you will make more money. For example, if a company with more experience knows that you have a collection worth a lot of money, they could possibly make you more money even while charging a higher percentage.
Don't let the percentage charged be the only criteria when choosing a company. A lower percentage does not necessarily mean you will make more money. For example, if a company with more experience knows that you have a collection worth a lot of money, they could possibly make you more money even while charging a higher percentage.
Interview in Person
once you have narrowed it down to a few companies ask them to come and meet with you. They will want to see what you want liquidated.
once you have narrowed it down to a few companies ask them to come and meet with you. They will want to see what you want liquidated.
Do NOT Throw Anything Away
Do not throw anything away before meeting with the companies. Every company will tell you this and there is a reason. That "pile of junk" or "that trash" might be worth big money. Seriously...don't throw anything away until you have an expert look at it.
Do not throw anything away before meeting with the companies. Every company will tell you this and there is a reason. That "pile of junk" or "that trash" might be worth big money. Seriously...don't throw anything away until you have an expert look at it.
Removing Items After an Interview
Realize that most companies work on a percentage so the more they make for you the more they make. Also, realize they may make a bid to you based on what you represent will be for sale. Many will charge a commission once they have started working on the sale and something is removed. If you intend to take items let the companies know on the front end and have it in the contract.
Realize that most companies work on a percentage so the more they make for you the more they make. Also, realize they may make a bid to you based on what you represent will be for sale. Many will charge a commission once they have started working on the sale and something is removed. If you intend to take items let the companies know on the front end and have it in the contract.
Visit a Sale
The best way to get a feel for a company is to watch them in action. Go to a sale and don't let them know who you are. Look and see how it is set up. Interact with their staff at the checkout. Do they treat people with respect? Are they efficient? Look for what is important to you
The best way to get a feel for a company is to watch them in action. Go to a sale and don't let them know who you are. Look and see how it is set up. Interact with their staff at the checkout. Do they treat people with respect? Are they efficient? Look for what is important to you
Get a Contract
A contract is extremely important. It should detail out when the sale will be held, how much the company is charging, when you will get paid, etc. Do not hire a company without a contract. You should both have a copy of the contract after signing it. A good contract details out what is expected of each party.
A contract is extremely important. It should detail out when the sale will be held, how much the company is charging, when you will get paid, etc. Do not hire a company without a contract. You should both have a copy of the contract after signing it. A good contract details out what is expected of each party.
Ask the Same Questions
make a list of questions to ask each company. That way you are comparing apples to apples. They may have a brochure or something they can send you in the mail. Here are some questions you may want to consider asking:
make a list of questions to ask each company. That way you are comparing apples to apples. They may have a brochure or something they can send you in the mail. Here are some questions you may want to consider asking:
- How many days do you think it will take to set up?
- What is your commission?
- Are there fees besides your commission?
- Do you have insurance? What types?
- How long after the sale will I be paid?
- Do you have an appraiser on staff or access to one?
- What is your field of expertise? Antiques, Art, Furniture, etc?
- How many people do you generally have staff a sale like mine?
- How will my home be left? Broom Clean, Empty, etc?
- Do you or your employees buy items?
- Do you have a store?
- Do you have a contract? Can I take a copy home with me to look over?
- Do you pre-sell or allow people early entry?
- Do you charge sales tax?
- Do you have any sales coming up that I could visit to see how your sales are conducted?
- How many days will the sale itself be?
- When would you be able to do the sale (dates and times)?
- Any estate sale company should be licensed, which means they have legal authorization to provide their services.
- Good companies are usually bonded as well. This is a form of insurance where a third party guarantees that the company will honor contracts and agreements. If the contract is broken, the third party (the bonding company) will pay you compensation.
- A reputable estate sale company will also provide references upon request and feedback from previous clients about the quality of the company's service.
- No company should charge you for the initial interview and inspection of the house.
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Phone: 563-343-1494
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