This is the first post in a series on how to select the right estate sale company.
Selecting an estate sale company does not have to be a process that is full of stress and indecision. With the right approach, you can make a sound decision without any wasted time.
The first step in selecting a company is making contact. During your first contact, either via phone or email, it is important to learn as much about the company as possible.
Note: you can often learn more about an estate sale company by browsing its website.
Questions to Ask
Below are five questions to ask to ensure that you get the most value out of your first contact:
- How long have you been in business? This one question will give you a better idea of what type of experience and knowledge the company brings to the table. It goes without saying that longer is typically better.
- What is your approach to managing a successful estate sale? Every company takes a different approach, so you want to learn as much as possible about what will happen along the way.
- What sets you apart from the competition? You want to find the estate sale company that best suits your situation. To do so, you need to know what makes each one unique. Is it their experience? How about knowledge of the industry? Or maybe the fact that one company gets its clients more money than the rest?
- Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? Properly incorporated estate planning companies should be locally licensed as a business, have a fidelity bond, and carry liability, bailees, and workers’ compensation insurance.
- Do you have employees or sub-contractors? It is best to hire an estate planning company with W-2 employees. There are many reasons for this, including:
- It generally reflects licensing.
- It is the legal way to operate in accordance with the IRS.
- It means that all employees are properly covered under a fidelity bond.
By asking these questions, among any others on your mind, you will soon realize that your first contact with an estate sale company was productive.