| If you are responsible for the disposition of | | | | opting out from making an offer because he or she |
| someone's estate, mainly the contents of their | | | | feels uncomfortable. Eliminating competition is not in |
| house, then you have some decisions to make. | | | | your best interest. |
| There are several options to choose from and calling | | | | Be careful with the antique dealers who do show up. |
| local antique malls or local antique dealers is one of | | | | Your goal is to get as much money for this |
| them. You never want to call just one because the | | | | merchandise as you possibly can. Their goal is to get |
| price that one dealer will quote you could be much | | | | it as cheaply as they can in order to enhance their |
| lower than the price you will get from another dealer. | | | | bottom line. Some dealers are going to want to pick |
| You want to call at least three or four. | | | | and choose items they know will make them |
| Be prepared for the antique dealers you call to ask | | | | excellent money. In other words, they are going to |
| you to describe what types of items you have. You | | | | want to buy just the good stuff. Don't let them. |
| need to be able to give them at least a rough idea. | | | | Caution is king in this situation. If you allow the |
| They will want to know if there is a lot of furniture | | | | antique dealers who do come calling to strip the |
| and what kind of furniture it is. They will want to | | | | estate of all the quality merchandise, then you will be |
| know if there are a lot of collectibles - glassware, | | | | left with a house full of mediocre or poor quality |
| pottery, porcelain, dolls, jewelry, etc. Antique dealers | | | | items. Trying to find someone else who will pay you |
| want to have an idea of what you have before they | | | | for everything that is left will be very difficult. Not |
| commit to making a house call. | | | | only might you not get any money for the |
| Don't be discouraged if a few of the dealers you call | | | | remainder, you could be faced with having to dispose |
| turn you down. Do not assume that the merchandise | | | | of it yourself. |
| you have is not any good. If you tell them you have | | | | If there are a number of valuable collectibles in the |
| an entire ten-room house full of furniture and | | | | estate then you can afford to let a few of them go |
| collectibles, that could be overwhelming to some | | | | to an individual dealer if they offer you enough |
| smaller dealers. The current economy could also be a | | | | money, but only a few. Make sure you keep enough |
| factor if they refuse you. If they have experienced a | | | | high-end pieces to entice someone else to buy the |
| real downturn in their business lately, they may not | | | | balance of the estate. |
| have the money needed to be real players. Also, | | | | As you sell items, be sure to supervise the removal |
| some antique dealers might have shops that are too | | | | of those items. Once you have been paid, you no |
| small to handle such a large amount of merchandise. | | | | longer have to be concerned with how carefully the |
| The smaller your estate, the better the response. | | | | dealers handle the merchandise, but you do want to |
| Never schedule more than one antique dealer to | | | | make sure that no damage is done to the interior of |
| come at the same time. This is really bad form and | | | | the house - such as the walls, floors, stairs, carpets, |
| could hurt you in the long run. Some of the dealers | | | | etc. House repairs will quickly eat up whatever |
| could be friendly with each other or could be located | | | | money you just made. |
| in the same antique mall. You don't want a dealer | | | | |