Aunt's Estate Turning Into a Nightmare

[debodun]

I put an ad on Craig's List for the items left in my aunt's estate. Anyone wanting them could come Wednesday between 1 and 3 pm. Now I'm flooded with inquiries from people saying they can't come then, could I let them look beforehand. I can only respond by reiterating the day and time I am available, other wise I'd be running to that house 5 or 6 times a day to accommodate others. From previous experience, I know that even doing this, they sometimes don't even show up, but my refusal to do this is generating miffed feelings. Also, I must have received at least 20 inquiries about a bureau with narrow drawers in a photo I posted (see photo). The only fair thing to do is take them by the order in which I received the inquiry. This is making subsequent interested people angry that they are not getting first refusal.

[ghopper1924]

People are spoiled brats,  simple as that. Civility is dying,  or in most cases dead.

Just get through this by standing your ground,  then hope that you never have to do it again!

[Ipcress]

People wanting to come early hoping to spot a sleeper and pay nothing for it.


Must be horrible.

I think the cabinet is getting interest due to it's functionality, not it's rarity.


May i also suggest that certain items already have offers on them, even though they may not ? 

[debodun]

Thanks for the comforting input, guys.

[ghopper1924]

Not sure that it's comforting,  but it does reflect the unfortunate state of things.

[mart]

What price did you put on the map cabinet ??  Although maybe not rare,, here it would get a pretty fair price !!  All you need to tell people is when you will be there,, and whoever gets there first with the cash gets it !! No exceptions !!  Their schedule is not your problem !!

[frogpatch]

I ran a few sales and people would always say they were going to be away on the day of the sale. I would wish them luck hunting in the place they were going. The worst was when my father died. I went to visit my Mom the day after the service and there was a dealer I knew buying a couple of watches from her. I wanted to strangle her. (The dealer) They read the obits and call the widow looking for items.

[ghopper1924]

Classy! (Not).

[gg27]

I put an ad on Craig's List for the items left in my aunt's estate. Anyone wanting them could come Wednesday between 1 and 3 pm. Now I'm flooded with inquiries from people saying they can't come then, could I let them look beforehand.

This has always been a pickers trick to get in early.  It's hard to say no when you're a nice person, but they aren't doing you any favours.  They will try all kinds of tricks. 

There was a picker around here who would tell folks that his house burned down & he was just looking for some furniture & household items.  Yes, his house did burn down, 35 years ago when he was a child.....

I was invited to a house beforehand to buy & was there when he arrived the day before the "estate sale" with his house story... after he got the story out, he saw me & his eyes just bugged out & he demanded to be let in, if I was let in.  He didn't get in the door, but I heard he was there the next morning.

[KC]

Just be firm and say the day and hours.  After all, you are selling the items and running the show.

If you don't sell all.  Reschedule another day/date/time and stick to it as well.

[debodun]

Thanks everyone for your helpful input.

[mart]

Good Luck !!

[debodun]

When I first started with this, I attempted to contact 3 or 4 auctioneers in my area. None of them were interested in taking anything stating that they only deal with very high-end items. I don't know why these back-road auction houses come off like they think they are Sotheby's or Christie's.

[ghopper1924]

Frustrating for sure, but it's all just economics.