Auctions vs. Estate Tag Sales: Which is the Right Choice for You?

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Personal Property Auctions vs Estate Tag Sales

When it comes to selling personal property, there are two main options: auctions and tag sales. Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to weigh your options carefully before deciding which is right for you.

Personal property auctions are typically held by a professional auctioneer, and they can be held in person or online. At an auction, items are sold to the highest bidder. This can be a great way to sell high-value items, or items that are in high demand.

Advantages of personal property auctions:

  • Items are typically sold quickly.
  • You can get top dollar for high-value items.
  • You don’t have to worry about pricing or selling the items yourself.
  • Typically very little is left unsold after an auction.
  • Only actually buyers will be in the home to pick up their purchases after an auction.

Disadvantages of personal property auctions:

  • Auctions can be competitive, and you may not always get the price you were hoping for.
  • There may be fees associated with selling your items at auction.
  • Lower value items will be lotted in groups to attract bidders.

Estate tag sales are typically held at the home, and they are usually run by a professional estate sale company. At a tag sale, items are priced individually, and shoppers can browse and purchase items at their own pace. Tag sales can be a great way to sell a wide variety of items, including furniture, appliances, clothing, and lower end collectibles.

Advantages of estate tag sales:

  • Items are priced individually.
  • You can sell a wide variety of items.
  • More comfortable buying experience for retail minded buyers.
  • Low value items are typically

Disadvantages of estate tag sales:

  • Tag sales can be time-consuming to set up and run.
  • Tag sales miss the competitive nature of auctions and potential higher prices for items.
  • Items may be priced incorrectly by staff, either too high and items don’t sell, or too low and expensive items are sold for low prices.
  • You may have a large percentage of items that remain unsold after the tag sale.
  • Traffic in your neighborhood and many people in the home potentially damaging carpet, etc…

Which option is right for you?

The best way to decide whether to have an auction or a tag sale is to consider your individual needs and goals. If you need to sell your items quickly and you’re willing to risk not getting the highest price, then an auction may be the best option for you. If you have a lot of items to sell and you want to set your own prices, then a tag sale may be a better choice.

Here are some additional things to consider when making your decision:

  • The value of your items. If you have high-value items, such as antiques or collectibles, you may get a better price at an auction.
  • The type of items you’re selling. If you have a lot of large or heavy items, such as furniture or appliances, a tag sale may be more difficult to manage.
  • Your time and resources. If you don’t have a lot of time or energy to put into selling your items, an auction may be a better option.
  • Your budget. There may be fees associated with auctioning off your items, or with hiring a professional estate sale company.

No matter which option you choose, it’s important to do your research and choose a reputable company to work with.


Call to action:

Have you decided which option is right for you? If you’re still not sure, or if you have any questions, please contact us today. We would be happy to help you choose the best way to sell your personal property. Call us at 517-927-5028 to discuss your needs.

Getting Ready For Your Estate Sale

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Before you start to throw away ANYTHING, please give us a call to visit and provide our free initial consultation. Family members almost always want to “help” and “clean out” the home prior to calling an auction or estate sale company. Unfortunately, in most cases, many items that we can sell on a regular basis end up being thrown in to the dump or donated. In some instances, those items can be quite valuable. Those rusty toys from 1940 have value! The first step should be to have us visit with you to review the estate and give you our best advice on how to proceed to maximize your sale total. Even if there are rooms full of unwanted and unsaleable items, we can typically empty them and dispose of them for you quicker and for a lower price.

Here is a general guide on what to keep and what to dispose of if you wish to do some of the work for yourselves.

Please Remove The Following Items: (We can do this for you as well.)

  • Medications
  • Tax Records & Receipts
  • Old Checks & Receipts
  • Medical Records, Personal Papers, ID & Credit Cards
  • Old Bills & Mail
  • Family Photos & Videos
  • Used Makeup & Toiletries
  • Any Open Refrigerator Food
  • Any Expired Food
  • Any Prohibited Pesticides Or Chemicals (Ex. DDT)
  • Open Paint Or Stains Unless It Stays For The New Home Owners. (Please Mark As Such)

We Will Sell Almost Everything Including But Not Limited To:

  • Clothes
  • Unexpired Food
  • Unopened Over the Counter Medications
  • Paper Products
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Jewelry
  • Unopened Makeup & Toiletries
  • Guns, Knives & Ammunition
  • Collections: Coins, Stamps, Sports Cards, Etc.
  • Vehicles, Boats, Motorcycles, ATVs, Campers, Trailers, Lawn Equipment, Etc.
  • Real Estate (We are licensed Real Estate Brokers.)

As Well As The Normal Furniture, Kitchen Items, Household Items, Yard, Garage & Barn Items, Etc.

If You Have Any Questions  Please Don’t Hesitate To Call Epic Auctions and Estate Sales at 517-927-5028 and Brad will be happy to assist you.

6 Ways Professionals Help Maximize Your Estate Sale Profits

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appraisalAn estate sale is a great option when the majority of the items in a home need to be sold. Instead of dealing with all that comes with estate sales yourself, consider reaching out to a qualified and professional estate sale specialist who knows how to maximize your profit.

Here are just a few ways estate sales and appraisal services can help you.

    1. Experienced in display and merchandising:
      The experienced Estate seller has the appropriate portable shelving, tables, display racks, lighting, tabletop showcases, and linens to properly present your merchandise.   As with any retail store, and the home really becomes an estate store, proper display is important to maximize total sales.
    2. Specialized Appraisal Experience and Brand Recognition:
      One of the most difficult aspects of preparing an estate sale is determining exactly how each item should be priced. The brand, age, and condition of the item has to be considered. An estate sale professional will take the time to examine and appraise specific items individually. This ensures that you are maximizing your potential profits and not selling valuable merchandise at garage sale prices.   The average heir is not experienced in values and can often be seen throwing away valuable items.
    3. They know how and where to advertise:
      Long gone are the days where a classified ad in the local paper would adequately promote your estate sale. The internets has changed that and estate sale attendees have specific sites they search to find your treasures. In addition, specialized items are seen across the country with professional estate sellers having customers come and or call from afar. These out of town sales are an important part of the whole in maximizing your sale.
    4. Ability To Stick To Set Prices:
      Often when people plan and hold their own estate sales, they often overlook the minor details — not the least of which is having to deal with hagglers. It’s simply too easy for DIY-ers to say ‘yes’ to a buyer asking for a deal just because they want to make the sale and get rid of the item. Professional estate sellers, on the other hand, are experienced in dealing with hagglers, often for hours and hours on end. They won’t sell the item until somebody is willing to pay what it’s worth.
    5. Provide detailed records of receipts:
      Professional estate sellers should have cash registers to keep a record of every sale made during the estate sale experience. This record keeping can allow heirs who add things to the estate to have their items properly accounted for as well as assure the integrity of the sales process.
    6. They know what to do with the leftovers:
      Every sale will have items that are left over. Your sale will not be an exception. The professional estate seller knows what, when and how to take care of the merchandise that is left over from your successful sale. Most frequently they will sell the remains in bulk, which is far better than having you pay someone to haul it away.

    Ultimately, there are more than 15,000 estate sale companies working across America. Working with an experienced professional is the best way to get the money you deserve.

    If you have any questions in this regard, please give Brad at Epic Auctions and Estate Sales, LLC. a call at 517-927-5028 or email at Brad@EpicAuctions.com . Be sure to visit their website as well: EpicAuctionsAndEstateSales.com

    Choosing An Estate Sale Company

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    estate salesWhen it comes to your family’s estate sale, planning can be overwhelming and stressful. Choosing an estate sale company may be challenging, however, it can ultimately relieve days and months of stress. Here are some helpful tips for choosing an estate sale company.

    Look thoroughly:
    Many times, people go with the first company they find. In reality, there are more than 15,000 estate sale companies working across America, and you should investigate the companies in your area. Visit their web pages. Call some to find out about the different services they may offer.

    Remember that price isn’t everything:
    Don’t assume that the company that offers you the lowest price is the best deal. Choosing a company that charges a lower percentage doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll make more money yourself. Companies with more experience with estate appraisal services can often make you more money even if they charge a higher percentage.  Since they’re more aware of  values and have a larger following they are able to get more money for you estate.

    Do plenty of research:
    This may sound similar to the first tip, but it’s more in-depth. Once you think you’ve found the right company, check their reputability.  References can be helpful.It’s often a good idea to visit one of the estate sales organized by the company. Visiting one for yourself can give you a look into the process and how things will turn out. This should be anonymous, but watching the company in action is often the best way to gauge how successful they’ll be in dealing with your particular estate. Also see how busy they are. the busier the better.  It is typically a sign of community support of their estate sale service.

    Read the contract:
    Contracts may be long and tedious, but in situations like these, it’s important to read every last word of it. The contract should clearly state important details such as the date of the sale, the percentage the company is charging, when you’ll get paid, and more. Ask questions. It is difficult to cover every possible situation in an agreement , however, never hire a company without signing a contract that you fully understand.

    Estate sales can be stressful to the heirs, but selecting a reputable company allows the sale to go as smoothly as possible. For more information about estate sales, contact Epic Auctions and Estate Sales.