Doing Estate Sales Around the Holidays

Doing Estate Sales Around the Holidays:

Is It Worth It?

As a professional estate liquidator I am confronted with the issue of conducting estate sales over the holiday season.  Historically, we are booked from February until November and have several clients calling to schedule a sale for December.  I am often uneasy to book a sale from December 15th through January 15th as we do not experience the customer turnout we aim for and are successful at achieving during all of the other weekends of the year.

However, this last holiday season I observed a record number of estate sales and I question if this is due to an influx in the number of novice estate sale companies trying to feel their way into the business or is it because times have changed and people are willing to show up and spend money on those beloved estate sale finds???  

Many Houston based companies that have been in the business long before we threw our hat in the ring refuse to conduct sales during this period, claiming that financially they cannot afford to keep staff because the sales they conduct, regardless of size, just do not bring in enough income; other senior companies chance it.  With conflicting thoughts/beliefs my team came to the decision to not schedule a sale because, ultimately, we are here to perform a service for our clients and if they can wait out the 5 weeks, we do so. We should them our sales figures for each month and what happens to these figures, considering we look for a specific gross sale minimum, from December 15 to January 15.   Once these see these figures they typically agree with our assessment.  Because we work on commission, we are only as financially successful as our client is... and we -the client and A Belle Estate Sale- want to be as financially successful as possible.

Whatever the answer, I am happy to have a short break so that I can organize the business, give my team a rest and also find again the balance that often gets lost while trying to conduct successful sales while meeting holiday familial obligations.

With that said, Happy Holidays from A Belle Estate Sale to all of our customers and clients who we have come to feel as our weekend families and friends!  We wish you many blessings this season and into the New Year.  And to all of the new estate sale companies, congratulations on making it and we hope to grow with you this year!

Mothers Day Picks

Shopping Estate Sales in Houston on Mother's Day

'First off... Happy Mothers Day!  While the holiday may have been wonderful for you mother's out there,  for Estate Sales the pickings were pretty slim... there were only 3 professional estate sales and 1 self-prepared.  Normally I am first in line at the self-prepared estate sales but this particular sale was sadly overpriced and the owner was not willing to negotiate. However, I did purchase a few items over the weekend and I have a favorite pick!! For those of you who know me, it will be of no surprise that it was a vintage (1950's) piece...  and I know exactly where I am going to put it in my house.

Helllllo Lovely!

I absolutely love love love this 1950's bookcase from Amsterdam!  I didn't even overpay for it!  I haggled, begged, cried... and finally got her down to $100.00.  Knowing that I blog, this Houston Estate Sale company asked me not to mention them by name...  but I will tell you she was really sweet (hope that doesn't give it away too much).  But in all honesty, the prices were fair (for once) and while the general setup was a bit unorganized (you all know how I do not like it when the drawers aren't emptied out and there are not price tags on items), I did enjoy my time.

I am looking forward to next week!!!  I have my eye on this 1930's blue chair at an estate sale in Memorial... we will see if she comes down from her price that is 3 X's more than I can afford to spend.

Visit my website at www.ABelleEstateSaleHouston.com
While I do estate sales myself, my true love is shopping at them!!! 

Jenifer L. Head
832-460-4120


A Belle Estate Sale Houston offers professional estate liquidation services throughout the southern region of Texas, focusing within 100 miles of Houston. We offer superior services with a range of options for clients to fit their needs. We are owner operated and employ professionals with vast knowledge and experience in antiques, vintage items, fire arms and tools.  Please contact us to schedule a free consultation.
With transparency as our goal, A Belle Estate Sale Houston aims to educate our clients in the process of estate sales including how we price items, itemization, our marketing procedures and what takes place the weekend of the estate sale.