What's the best way to settle parent's estate

[debodun]

I'm just about worn out trying to sell the houseful of antiques and collectibles I inherited by having weekend "estate" garage sales. It's hardly worth the effort - yesterday I sold a copper tea kettle for $3, then had to pack up and haul in the rest. I think one of the obstacles is that people have a "Garage sale expectation" - that is they think because it's a garage sale, nothing should be over 50¢. I have consulted with estate liquidators, but they want you to have everything "together" when they get there and not hem and haw over things (i.e. "Wellll...I don't know if I want to sell that right now."). Most also want really high-end antiques and not be bothered with low-end items like what is most of what want to liquidate such as Nippon china and Depression glass. I've also advertised on Craig's List and in a regional classified magazine, but I've had virtually no response. My uncle told be to get a roll-off dumpster and put everything in it. I think it would be a shame to trash these things - they must have SOME value. I'm in the "Twilight Zone" of antiques - not high-end enough to bring big bucks, yet too good to trash. Here are some pics of some items that are in the cellar and some cabinets in the dining room. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[sapphire]

I was lucky enough to have someone recommended to me who came into my mother's apartment, went through everything with me.......piece by piece and left me with I think four full ruled sheets of items of groups, with prices. She told me to take a few days to go over the list, remove any items I specifically wanted to keep then she would collect the rest.......at the prices she quoted me. I think I totally lucked out.

I know nothing about glassware, but looking at that wall of pictures which I can't enlarge enough........do I see some McAskill's? They would be 'mostly' sailing ships or water/shoreline related but he did do some other work.

[bigwull]

Its just a pity you,re not on this side of the watter..pond,..cause i,d be round, toot sweet....ebay may be your best bet...worldwide audience....wait for a free listing weekend...start everything off at 99c...10 day listing....then cross yer fingers & toes...and hope for the best....and whatever,s left..give to a charity/thrift shop...and you then get the satisfaction of knowing that you,re helping someone less fortunate than yourself.....

[bigwull]

Maritime stuff sell quite well in the UK,...and if you go down the ebay road...keep your postage to what it costs you...i see a lot of ebayers bumping up the postage...trying to squeeze every last penny out of whatever...

[Rauville]

It took me two years to clean out my Mother's house. I would spend days sorting and piling...and all I ended up with was more piles.

When you are dealing with quantity, you have to look at getting rid of it in quantity.

I finally called an auctioneer and told him to take what he could work with. He packed up enough for a two day "sit down" auction, which worked out remarkably well. The rest was liquidated through a couple of garage sales, and a local consignment auction. I actually hired my Wife and her Niece to help with the final cleaning out and decision making of what to keep and what to discard. And yes...a roll off dumpster got loaded with 9000+ lbs. of who knows what? 

[wendy177]

I would look for antique flea markets in your area and get a few tables to set up over a weekend. You will do better than a yard sale as the buyers will know about your beautiful glass and will know prices will NOT be 50¢. I see a few pieces I would scoop up!!  

[mart]

YES !!  let me give you my address !! LOL
Just joking !!  You do need someone familiar with collectable items and antiques to go through and box up the good from the garage sale items !!  Garage sale type, can be sold by the boxfull at most any small local auction !!  Our estate sale groups usually go through and do all the pricing, advertising, selling and sometimes clean up for a percentage of the sales !! If you can`t find a liquidator that does that,, make an offer to a small shop owner that deals in antiques/collectables.   Help you with  an estate sale for a percentage !!

[Kimmienemo]

I know your pain, oh so well.  My mother-in-law passed away six years ago.  We did not live in the same town and it took us two years of going over every weekend to go through her stuff - trying to sort the junk from the family heirlooms that had sentimental value from the stuff that we might be able to sell for the estate.  I used to have to put my attitude on a leash, when people would walk up, and disrespectfully rummage through our memories!  I even had one lady come up and ask where the "expensive stuff" was, not this "junk."  I had to walk away before my short, little-woman, Irish temper got the best of both of us!

As a result, I HATE yard sales, estate sales, and Craig's list.  Everybody wants something for nothing!  Unfortunately, we have found that making tax deductible donations to Salvation Army or Goodwill is more cost effective for my mother.  The urban legend that you can only deduct $500 is not true.  We use ItsDeductible.com to track her donations.  It will save her alot of money at the end of the year.  Cash in hand or less to go to Uncle Sam. . . not much difference.

[debodun]

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions. I can't do Ebay since you need a credit card to set up an account. I tied 2 years ago with an Ebay "assistant". She took some nice pieces of glassware and some ephemera, but she didn't even get a nibble on anything. I've been to thrift stores and the vintage glassware, like Depression and EAPG, is collecting dust sitting on the shelves. I made a Web page showing most of what I consider the more valuable items in my mom's house from glassware, china, furniture and misc. items. There might be better photos there. If anyone wants to look, here the URL:

http://estatesaler.angelfire.com/

I researched the Depression patterns and feel fairly confident I have them identified properly (tell me if I'm wrong).

Thanks again, everyone.

[KC]

Etsy now lets you sell vintage.

Ruby Lane sells vintage antique and demands higher prices than Ebay.

Might have to get a credit card to get the $$$.  But to sell and require PayPal you don't have to have a credit card do you?

I feel your pain.  We gave away items that I knew were of worth but taking them across the country and can only keep so much.....We have been storing items for years and am just now pulling them out!  It is like Christmas for me but for the rest of the family...they aren't as thrilled!

[cogar]

There hasta be an auctioneer close by you who will sell it for you.

Have you checked out this site for locating an auctioneer.

They have users for their Internet Listing services in 35 states and Canada.

http://www.auctionzip.com/

And the serious buyers and collectors "monitor" their local Auctioneer's website on a weekly basis ...... whereas with a garage sale you are taking a chance that a serious buyer will find it.

The wife checks this site bout every week and "clicks on" ..... View Photo Gallery.

To wit: http://www.auctionzip.com/WV-Auctioneers/2490.html

[bigwull]

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions. I can't do Ebay since you need a credit card to set up an account. I tied 2 years ago with an Ebay "assistant". She took some nice pieces of glassware and some ephemera, but she didn't even get a nibble on anything. I've been to thrift stores and the vintage glassware, like Depression and EAPG, is collecting dust sitting on the shelves. I made a Web page showing most of what I consider the more valuable items in my mom's house from glassware, china, furniture and misc. items. There might be better photos there. If anyone wants to look, here the URL:

http://estatesaler.angelfire.com/

I researched the Depression patterns and feel fairly confident I have them identified properly (tell me if I'm wrong).

Thanks again, everyone.

When did ebay change the rules for registering,...I did,nt need a credit card....when i joined 4 months ago...all I used was Avrils debit card...with her permission...but its not a credit card.....

[debodun]

Well, when I tried to register, the first thing I was asked for was a credit card. I have no cards of any kind - never needed them. I pay cash as I go, or pay my utilities (reputable companies) by electronic transfer.

[KC]

We try to do all in cash as well.  However, we have found we need a card occasionally!  (NOTE:You are paying stores the money so that they can offer credit sales whether you use one or not!!!!)

The debit card is the way to go.

We set up a separate account (not tied to our regular one) that is connected to sales and move money out of it frequently.  That way if there is ever a hacker or problem they can't affect our daily life.

Unless you know a good/reputable auctioneer...you are better off doing it yourself!

[bigwull]

Well, when I tried to register, the first thing I was asked for was a credit card. I have no cards of any kind - never needed them. I pay cash as I go, or pay my utilities (reputable companies) by electronic transfer.

Credit cards....yes you are better off without them.....i had one once....then one day the bank teller cut it in half with a pair of scissors.....best thing that anyone,s ever done for me......