estate liquidations in New Jersey

Having an estate sale or a tag sale can be a stressful time. You not only are relinquishing long-cherished possessions or the possessions of a deceased family member, but also are letting strangers into your home to view these possessions. Follow these tips on how to choose an estate sale company in NJ and you’ll have one less thing to worry about.

Check Company’s Credentials

It is surprising how many estate sale service customers never bother to check the credentials of that company. Make sure you get the business license number. Check with the State of New Jersey’s website to verify the license. You also need to check that they are bonded and insured. Bonded and insured companies are usually not going to go bankrupt any time soon. You will also get some reimbursement if any items are stolen or damaged.

Ask for References

A recommendation from a trusted friend or family member is the best reference you can get. However, few people need the services of an estate sale company so finding such recommendations can be difficult. Ask the company for references and contact a reference at random. Check with your local Better Business Bureau’s webpage for complaints lodged against the company.

Be Wary of Web Reviews

The good thing about customer review websites is that they’re free to join so that anyone can post reviews. The bad news is precisely the same as the good news. Any review that is glowing so much that you read by it was probably not written by a customer, but by an employee of the company posing as a customer. On the other hand, very negative reviews can be written by trolls or people who have an axe to grind. Reviews that are not too good and not too bad are the ones to pay most attention to.

Payment Methods

Although a lot of buyers at NJ come with cash, not everyone does. If you have high-ticket items for sale such as a car, nearly new stereo equipment, marble counter tops or collectible art, then your buyers need alternative methods of paying. The best estate sale companies will allow cash, credit cards and ATM payments.

How Do They Handle Items That Aren't Sold?

It’s unreasonable to assume that every single item in the estate sale will find a buyer. Make sure you know before the sale if the estate company will haul away any unsold items or if you will be responsible for them.