9 Crucial Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Estate Sale Company

An estate sale is much more significant than a traditional garage/yard sale. It’s a comprehensive liquidation of an immense variety of personal items, often due to major life events. During this transition, it’s important to choose the right estate sale partner that can be a resource for any questions you may have. Whether you’re new to the estate sale process or want to know how to navigate it—here are nine crucial questions to ask before choosing an estate sale partner and how Blue Moon Estate Sales can help. 

1. “What previous experience do you have in the estate sale industry?”

Experience matters, especially when you’re trusting a company to deal with your personal belongings. A reputable company that’s well-trusted, knowledgeable, and established has likely encountered every type of item imaginable. Not only can you be confident that your items will be handled carefully—you can also count on them to spot value, price items appropriately, and attract the right buyers. With a comprehensive training program backed by over 12 years of franchising experience, Blue Moon Estate Sales team members have the experience and trust to be an excellent partner in this endeavor. 

2. “Do you have references or online reviews I can check?”

These days, a company’s reputation is just a click away. Ask for references from recent clients, check online reviews on Google, Listen360, Yelp, Facebook, and the Better Business Bureau. While one negative review shouldn’t deter you from choosing one company versus another—a pattern of bad reviews can signal that an estate sale company doesn’t have its customers’ best interests in mind. Blue Moon Estate Sales has maintained a tremendous national Net Promoter Score of over 82 over the last couple of years. This is a true testament to the compassionate and thorough services that our team members provide.

3. “How do you accurately evaluate and price items?”

Ask about their appraisal and pricing methodology. Do they have specialists on staff or relationships with appraisers for particular categories like fine art, antiques, jewelry, or collectibles? A reputable company should research comparable sales, understand current market trends, and use tools like online databases and sales results to establish fair market value.  Blue Moon Estate Sales ensures fair market value is factored into each item’s price based on thorough research and robust technology tools.

4. “Who handles setup, advertising, and cleanup?”

An estate sale involves far more than just opening the doors and letting people shop. A full-service company should handle:

•       Setup: Organizing and staging items attractively to maximize appeal and sales
•       Advertising: Utilizing signage and promotional materials to attract buyers
•       Staffing: Providing experienced personnel to manage the sale, answer questions, and handle transactions
•       Security: Monitoring the property to prevent theft or damage
•       Cleanup: Providing solutions for unsold items and leaving the property clean

Make sure you understand exactly what’s included in the company’s service and if you’ll be responsible for handling anything yourself. Partnering with Blue Moon Estate Sales comes with a guarantee that our team will handle 100% of the sale, so you don’t have to worry about anything. 

5. “How do you promote the estate sale?”

Ask specifically about their marketing, past attendance, and how they plan to attract shoppers. Whether it’s social media, an email list, or estate sale listing websites—make sure you know how they plan to market the event. 

Blue Moon Estate Sales utilizes a multi-channel marketing approach that attracts a diverse crowd of buyers, from bargain hunters to serious collectors. The Blue Moon Rewards Program, which rewards shoppers with points towards future purchases, is a high-incentive resource that sets Blue Moon apart from other estate sale companies and increases turnout. Shoppers also have access to weekly newsletter previews of upcoming estate sales. 

In addition to signage being posted and local in-person marketing, items are also photographed for each sale and a digital listing is created to provide sale details to shoppers online ahead of time.

6. “How do you accommodate HOA restrictions or homes that are unable to host large crowds?”

Online sales can significantly expand the number of buyers interested in your sale. This may also be a necessary step if your estate needs to limit shoppers inside due to small spaces or homeowner association rules. Blue Moon Estate Sales ensures compliance with local restrictions and can set up appointment-only sales to require sign-ups from shoppers ahead of time. Some locations also offer online-only sales with local pickup available.

7. “Do you offer free consultations to determine if an estate sale is ideal?”

Estate sale companies often offer an initial meeting or home walkthrough to assess the number of items, value of items, and overall estate sale potential. If you are wondering if you have enough or the right items to have a successful estate sale, it’s best to ask a professional.  Blue Moon Estate Sales offers free consultations to determine if an estate sale is worthwhile. Be sure to keep all belongings for this step, as the professionals know best what will sell. You may be surprised which items hold value. 

8. “What happens to unsold items?”

Not everything will sell, no matter how well-priced or promoted. Before the sale begins, establish a clear plan for leftover items and ask:

•       Will the company donate them to charity (and can they provide a receipt for tax purposes)?
•       Will they arrange for disposal or junk removal?
•       Do they offer a buyout option where they purchase remaining items at a reduced price?
•       Are you responsible for handling unsold merchandise yourself?

Having this conversation upfront prevents the stressful scenario of returning to a house full of unwanted items after the sale concludes.

9. “How do you prevent theft or loss during the sale?”

Opening your doors to hundreds of strangers across an entire weekend can understandably make you worried. A good estate sale company will ensure adequate staffing, with emphasis on entry/exit areas. With Blue Moon Estate Sales, you can ensure that your home and the items in it will be carefully monitored by our professional staff. We’re always open to explaining our security plan in detail prior to the sale. 

Choose What’s Best for You

Hiring an estate sale company is a significant decision that puts your financial return, peace of mind, and overall transition on the line. Taking the time to do research, ask questions and make an informed decision will only help you in the long run. Professionalism and transparency are key to making Blue Moon Estate Sales stand out among the rest. Request a free consultation to see if we are the right fit—we’re here to make your life easier and help you navigate the estate sale process as smoothly as possible.