Bennett & Roelofs Estate Sales

We’re taking some of the guesswork out of finding the right Madison WI estate sales company. Estate sale companies are not required to have a license so unfortunately any Tom, Dick or Harry can start their own estate sale business. Asking these questions can hopefully weed out the less experienced. Please feel free to call us if you have questions.

1. What are your company’s set-up and Estate Sales fees? We charge 25% commission
2. Are there any debris removal cost? Yes, Customer pays for dumpster if needed. What are your lead time requirements? As a general rule we like 3 weeks
3. How long have you been in the Estate Sales business? We have been in the business for 20 years.
4. What is important to you about your service? Honesty
5. How many Estate Sales a month does your company conduct? No more than two per month. Any more than that and the process is rushed.
6. What is one of your biggest success stories? Finding a long lost heirloom. A very special one….

1. Are they well groomed, professional, and courteous? Are they informative and patient answering your questions? Yes, we wear embroidered shirts with company logos; our staff is very courteous, polite and diplomatic.
2. How long will the Estate Sales process take? Two weeks what will be their procedures?
3. Do they take time answering your questions? Do they seem knowledgeable?
4. What sort of security do they provide? We use CCTV, and we are the only service that provides customer availability to view sale live via PC or smart phone. How many people will they use to staff your estate sale? Between 3-6 depending on size of sale
5. How do they handle high value items? We have security procedures and ability to handle any high dollar item. Do they send them to an auction, or sell them through an estate sale? We first try estate sale then other avenues we have in place.

1. How does your firm account for each Estate Sales item sold? We keep an itemized list of all items sold.
2. Do you provide a written item by item post sale inventory? Yes
3. How long do you take to reconcile your books and send a check to the estate? 48 hrs.
4. What do you do with the estate sale remainders? Do you donate them to charity, if so; do you provide a written valuation and a receipt? We donate and submit forms to customer
5. Does your company leave the house broom clean? Yes, or better
6. Do they buy items from the estate, and if so, how do they valuate the items they purchase. No, we don’t buy from estate. It’s a conflict of interest.
7. How do they handle any cash found in the house? Executor is called and money is collected by family.
8. Do they conduct preview sales for dealers? No, it’s a conflict of interest
9. How do they advertise their Estate Sales? We advertise in 15 websites, all local newspapers, flyers and bulk mailer
10. Do they bring in items from outside the house, and if so, what is their system for accounting for the sale of their companies items? Yes, if it’s a small sale sometimes items are brought in to increase the draw of people. Accounting is done with color coding.
11. How long will the whole Estate Sales process take from start to finish? Roughly 2 weeks
12. How did they get in the estate liquidation business? Family business
13. Ask them this question: Are there any questions I have left unasked?