Somerset Estate Sales |
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• Who uses Estate Sale services?
Executors of an estate, people moving to a retirement home, nursing home, out of
state, in with a relative, to smaller quarters, in fact, anyone who needs to sell most of
their home's contents.
• What kinds of things do you sell?
We can sell virtually anything that is legal and safe to be sold. Antique, contemporary
and used furniture and furnishings. Fine antiques, collectibles and just plain junk.
Clothing, costume and fine jewelry. Tools, appliances, garden equipment. You name
it.
• What exactly does Somerset do?
For most Estate Sales, Somerset starts working in the home five or more days before
the sale dates, depending on the amount of work to be done. We first bring in folding
tables and table cloths to display the small items to be sold. We unload cabinets,
closets and drawers so that all items can be seen. We also have portable shelving
and lockable showcases to be used when necessary.
After displaying the items to be sold, we price everything, either individually or using
signs for large groups of similar items. Pricing is based on our knowledge of the
market-place over the last 25+ years, a reference library of more than 1,000 volumes,
subscriptions to on-line auction records, and a network of individuals with expertise in
specific areas.
We write and place all newspaper advertising, send out e-mail announcements to our
subscriber list, and when appropriate, distribute fliers.
Over the course of the sale days, we can usually sell 90-95% of the items for sale.
Normally only "bad garage sale items" are left. These can be donated to charity,
retained by the owner, or discarded at the clients discretion.
• How much does your service cost?
There is no up front cost. Somerset works on a percentage of the total sales. The fee
is deducted from the money collected at the sale.
• Are there any other costs?
Occasionally. Smaller sales may be required to pay or share advertising expenses.
Very rarely, there may be charges for specialized services, such as piano tuning,
appraisal of diamonds, dumpsters, or other optional services. No charges will ever be
incurred without the client's approval.
• Is there a minimum?
There is no fixed minimum. However, the amount of goods to be sold, the value of
those items, and the amount of work involved determine whether Somerset can be of
service and the best method of selling the merchandise.
• How do I know if there is enough?
Sometimes a phone call is all it takes, but frequently Somerset will need to go
through the home to be certain.
• Is there a charge to see if I have enough?
No. If after talking on the phone, Somerset agrees to look over the items to be sold,
there is no charge for the initial appointment.
• Do you have references?
Somerset has a file of reference letters from previous clients as well as a list of
previous clients who have agreed to answer questions. But you can read excerpts
from the letters now, by clicking on the "What Clients Have Said" link to the left of the
screen, nearer the top of this page. There is an entire letter also available by clicking
on "Client Letter".
Executors of an estate, people moving to a retirement home, nursing home, out of
state, in with a relative, to smaller quarters, in fact, anyone who needs to sell most of
their home's contents.
• What kinds of things do you sell?
We can sell virtually anything that is legal and safe to be sold. Antique, contemporary
and used furniture and furnishings. Fine antiques, collectibles and just plain junk.
Clothing, costume and fine jewelry. Tools, appliances, garden equipment. You name
it.
• What exactly does Somerset do?
For most Estate Sales, Somerset starts working in the home five or more days before
the sale dates, depending on the amount of work to be done. We first bring in folding
tables and table cloths to display the small items to be sold. We unload cabinets,
closets and drawers so that all items can be seen. We also have portable shelving
and lockable showcases to be used when necessary.
After displaying the items to be sold, we price everything, either individually or using
signs for large groups of similar items. Pricing is based on our knowledge of the
market-place over the last 25+ years, a reference library of more than 1,000 volumes,
subscriptions to on-line auction records, and a network of individuals with expertise in
specific areas.
We write and place all newspaper advertising, send out e-mail announcements to our
subscriber list, and when appropriate, distribute fliers.
Over the course of the sale days, we can usually sell 90-95% of the items for sale.
Normally only "bad garage sale items" are left. These can be donated to charity,
retained by the owner, or discarded at the clients discretion.
• How much does your service cost?
There is no up front cost. Somerset works on a percentage of the total sales. The fee
is deducted from the money collected at the sale.
• Are there any other costs?
Occasionally. Smaller sales may be required to pay or share advertising expenses.
Very rarely, there may be charges for specialized services, such as piano tuning,
appraisal of diamonds, dumpsters, or other optional services. No charges will ever be
incurred without the client's approval.
• Is there a minimum?
There is no fixed minimum. However, the amount of goods to be sold, the value of
those items, and the amount of work involved determine whether Somerset can be of
service and the best method of selling the merchandise.
• How do I know if there is enough?
Sometimes a phone call is all it takes, but frequently Somerset will need to go
through the home to be certain.
• Is there a charge to see if I have enough?
No. If after talking on the phone, Somerset agrees to look over the items to be sold,
there is no charge for the initial appointment.
• Do you have references?
Somerset has a file of reference letters from previous clients as well as a list of
previous clients who have agreed to answer questions. But you can read excerpts
from the letters now, by clicking on the "What Clients Have Said" link to the left of the
screen, nearer the top of this page. There is an entire letter also available by clicking
on "Client Letter".
Having an Estate Sale - Commonly Asked Questions