Hiring an Estate Liquidator That's Right For You

Julie Hall

Description

When dealing with the overwhelming task of the dissolution of a loved one's estate, you don't need to know how to do it; you just need to know someone who does. The challenge is to be able to distinguish between qualified, experienced estate sales professionals and individuals with fly-by-night operations focused on making a quick buck. American Society of Estate Liquidators, the #1 association for estate sales professionals brings you insider insight to what you should know and look for when considering to hire and then contract an estate liquidator.

Based on decades of experience by a seasoned expert who has seen and done it all, you will learn:
* If a liquidator is what you need
* How to find a liquidator in your area
* Tips for making the right choice
* Pre-qualifying over the phone and face-to-face interviewing
* Red flags to look out for before hiring a liquidator
* What should be in the contract for services
* Other services a liquidator may provide
* What is expected of you and you should expect from the liquidator

This eBook was written specifically for consumers seeking to better understand the estate liquidation process and what you should know when entrusting the precious possessions of a loved one to an outside resource. Packed full of everything you need to know, this eBook is a small investment that gives you a BIG payoff in peace of mind that you can make the best and right choice for you.

Plus, receive these BONUS articles:
* PART I: Client Responsibilities to the Estate Sales Professional
* PART II: Estate Sales Professional's Responsibilities to Clients

Sujets

• Maison
• Entretien de la maison
• Santé et bien-être
• Santé du quotidien
• Vie de famille
• Santé familiale
• Home
• House
• Organizing
• Cleaning
• Caretaking
• Santé au quotidien
• Santé au quotidien

Informations

• Publié par: eBookIt.com
• Date de parution: 06 septembre 2015
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780989252935
• Langue: English

Extrait

American Society of Estate Liquidators®
Consumer Guide
 
 
Hiring an Estate Liquidator That's Right For You
 
 
by
Julie Hall

Copyright 2015 Julie Hall,
All rights reserved.
 
 
Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com
http://www.eBookIt.com
 
 
ISBN-13: 978-0-9892-5293-5
 
 
©2000-2015 The American Society of Estate Liquidators®. All content is the owned or licensed property of American Society of Estate Liquidators® and is protected by U.S. copyright and trademark laws. The compilation (meaning the collection, arrangement, and assembly) of all content in this eBook is the exclusive property of American Society of Estate Liquidators® and protected by U.S. copyright laws. American Society of Estate Liquidators® grants you permission to view and personally use content made available to you in this eBook. The reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission, republication, display, or performance, of this content is strictly forbidden.
INTRODUCTION
Many people are under the impression that an estate liquidator is someone who puts on glorified yard sales. Nothing could be further from the truth! Professional estate liquidators wear many hats on any given day with a common goal for their client as well as for themselves:
 
• maximize sale proceeds,
• lighten the burden of our client families, and
• help the clients move forward.
 
In the process of doing so, they must possess a great deal of knowledge to guide their clients along the way. They don't just organize and set up for a sale. They:
 
• clean items that haven't seen the light of day in decades,
• tirelessly research these items,
• make calls to private buyers that will be interested in a particular item or collection,
• figure out the best way to set up to maximize the sale,
• price items appropriately,
• coordinate sending high end items to proper selling venues,
• coordinate all crews,
• manage the clients, and the list goes on.
 
Often the client is not aware of just how much back-breaking work and time is invested before the door ever opens for the estate sale. The liquidator takes 50, 60, 70 years of accumulation and sorts through it, researches it, cleans it, organizes it, and sells it within a week or so.
HOW TO FIND ESTATE LIQUIDATORS
American Society of Estate Liquidators® is the nation’s number one educational and resource organization for estate sale professionals. ASEL maintains a current, online database of our associates throughout the United States. Our associates have agreed to uphold our code of ethics agreement and have confirmed that they maintain required business licenses and permits in the city and state where they operate. They also provide professional references which are verified by ASEL.
 
This is the best place to begin your search. Go to the ASEL home page www.ASELonline.com and click on Find a Liquidator. Search by zip code to find our member(s) in your area.
 
Otherwise, start with who you know.
 
1. Word of mouth. Do you know anyone who used this kind of service recently?
 
2. Professional referrals: family attorney, estate planning or elder attorney, CPA, financial planner, realtors, assisted living facilities. Call and inquire who they recommend to handle their clients’ estates.
 
3. Personal referrals from friends, neighbors, church/synagogue, other community organizations.
 
4. Other professional organizations for estate sales professionals, such as the BBB or Angie's List, or if they are also personal property appraisers. Many organizations have a “Find a Member” page on their website, where you can search by your zip code or state. Membership in professional organizations demonstrates a level of seriousness, accountability, and credibility. Always follow up with the organization, however, to ensure the estate sale professional is actually a member in good standing.
 
5. Did a loved one leave a recommendation or instruction to use a specific professional?
 
6. You can also find liquidators on large websites such as EstateSales.net , EstateSales.org , and others. These are listing sites only and cannot vouch for the credibility or reputation of the liquidators. If you locate an individual or company, you must thoroughly research the company to ensure a good reputation.
 
7. Yellow Pages, Google, etc. are also options. There is no guarantee that who you find is actually reputable. The burden of distinguishing the good from the less-than-stellar falls with you, the consumer.
 
IMPORTANT TIP:
 
NEVER choose a liquidator because their fees are less than another estate sale company. You MUST compare
 
• Services,
• Reputation,
• Depth of experience,
• Contract,
• Skills, etc.
 
and take ALL things into consideration before you make your decision.
TIPS FOR MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE
Finding the best possible estate liquidator for you and your particular situation will bring you closure and peace of mind; he or she will ease a huge burden and allow you to move forward with your life. No words are enough to describe the genuine worth of an outstanding liquidator and what they can do for you.
 
Your initial search has turned up a list of names and companies of estate liquidators. How do you research them and refine your list?
 
• Check all references. Were these references satisfied? Do they recommend this liquidator reluctantly or enthusiastically? How do they describe the experience, the integrity and compassion of the liquidator, and the services?
 
• Check all memberships. Do the organizations list this individual in their membership database? Are they a member in good standing?
 
• Check their online presence. Do they have a solid website that provides beneficial information? Does it appear to be maintained and current?
 
• Check online reviews about them. Be cautious, because sometimes a negative review can be unjustified, or a client lashes out because items sold for less than they expected. The review or complaint may also be justified. There are many reasons why people leave complaints, from the miniscule to the monumental.
 
You should look for unresolved complaints. The liquidation company should always respond to online reviews, since there are two sides to every story. If you see multiple complaints about the same company, that should be considered a red flag that requires further investigation.
 
• Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Are they members? Are there any unresolved complaints against them? If a company doesn’t call back/no response, doesn’t resolve complaints, makes no attempt to resolve problems, or claims to be something they are not, that is a red flag.
 
• Check for continuing education, certifications, training, etc. which demonstrates their dedication to the profession.
 
IMPORTANT TIP:
 
Are the estate sale companies you have found well-known and respected in the community for their work?