Trust your treasures to
someone who knows the value

The Mysterious Mask... An old Indian mask had been in the family for nearly 100 years. In fact, the children had played with it at Halloween. To the surprise of the owner, it was found to be a valuable collectible from a Pacific Northwest Indian tribe worth $27,000—the amount we were able to produce for the seller by marketing it to the right collectors.

Ten Smart Questions

We like to call this section “Ten smart questions to ask before hiring an appraiser or household sale company” or “A dummy’s guide to not getting ripped off on an appraisal or household sale.” If you’re concerned that you don’t know enough to make an informed decision in whom to hire, consider these questions to guide your decision making.

  1. What is the appraiser’s or household sale company’s experience in marketing my particular antiques and collectibles?
  2. Is the appraiser knowledgeable of, and connected to, local antiques and collectibles dealers?
  3. Will the appraiser take the time to determine which items would be best sold through international sales?
  4. Does the appraiser have established relationships with a network of international dealers and collectors?
  5. Does the appraiser have access to national publications and databases that track the value of collectibles?
  6. Does the appraiser have documentation to prove the value of items for sale?
  7. How many staff members will the appraiser bring in to assist with my sale?
  8. Does the appraiser have an opinion as to the best time of the year to schedule a particular sale?
  9. Does the company cover bounced checks from buyers at sales?
  10. Can the appraiser provide recent, reliable references?

Testimonial

The sale was a huge success as a direct result of the enormous energy you and your staff put into staging the contents of the house and shop as well as your knowledgeable and focused advertising efforts. I am extremely pleased that the majority of items in the house and antique shop were sold. You have a great staff and it was a pleasure to work with them throughout this process.

Elizabeth H. O’Brien, Executrix for the Estate of C. T. Ferguson

© Jack Wanderman & Associates, Estate Sales & Appraisals