Estate Sales & Appraisals
Frequently Asked Questions
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We Answer Your Questions
Are sales final ?
Most estate sale transactions are final, and the merchandise is sold as is. We do our best to label as is on damaged pieces, but we may miss something, so check well.
Do I have access to all rooms ?
Please note that not all homes provide access to a bathroom. So if you’re refused it’s usually because the family has stored personal items and there isn’t another available.
What type of money do you accept ?
Try to bring change with you i.e. $1, $2, $5 and $10 bills instead of only $20’s that everybody gets from ATMs. After the first hour the many many $5’s that we bring to the estate sale are often depleted. And remember cash only.
Can I bring my pet ?
Although most of us love dogs, some homeowners don’t appreciate them in their homes. For that reason please ask before you walk in with your dog.
Can I test electronics and appliances ?
Please plug in any electric items (vacuums, toasters, coffee makers, etc.) or electronic (radios stereo phones, etc.) to test if it works. We do not live here and may not know.
Can I communicate with you in French ?
If French is your first or preferred language, go ahead. Nous parlons français aussi.
Can I email before the sale for prices ?
We do not give prices by email, text or by phone. Please come in person.
Do run sales throughout the year ?
Unlike seasonal summer garage sales, our estate sales run year- round from winter – spring – summer – fall.
Where do you get the merchandise ?
Our policy is to not bring our own merchandise to the Estate Sale. All merchandise is from the current sales’ home.
In extenuating circumstances it may be necessary to piggy back a clients’ merchandise onto another sale, if so we advise our clients on our website.
Do you take offers ?
Offers on items are always welcome as attending an estate sale often involves negotiating prices. You never know, your offer may be accepted on the spot, later that day or the next day.
When do you open ?
If we are a few minutes late in opening, please be patient, as sometimes the owners add items at the last moment and they have to be placed and priced. We are working as fast as possible.
Please be assured that a sale scheduled to start at a specific time will not begin earlier.
Any rules for attending your estate sale ?
If you are waiting in the lobby or hall of an apartment or condo, please be quiet, as noise can be disturbing to other residents and management. We feel respect is paramount to our interaction with our clients and expect the same back.
Is parking available ?
Most of the time there is street parking. Please respect the neighbourhood by not parking in or in front of a neighbour’s driveway. As well please observe street signs for any parking restrictions.
What do your services cost?
For an Estate or Moving Sale we do not ask for a deposit. Our fee is based on a percentage of gross sales after a minimum fee is reached. Our minimum fee is required to meet advertising, supplies and some of our labor costs. Minimum fees are discussed at our first meeting.
For an Appraisal there is an hourly fee.
What do you sell?
Our company specializes in possessions, including but not limited to: Fine Arts: Paintings & Sculpture, Jewelry, Metals: Gold & Sterling, Objets d’Art, Antiques, Fine Furniture, Collectibles, Automobiles, Luxury Items and Home Contents.
What do you appraise?
Our company specializes in possessions, including but not limited to: Fine Arts: Paintings & Sculpture, Jewelry, Metals: Gold & Sterling, Objets d’Art
Fine Arts, Antiques, Fine Furniture, Collectibles, Automobiles, Luxury Items and Home Contents.
What should I do to prepare for a sale?
Planning ahead before we meet is key! We kindly ask that you remove all personal and private items that you plan to keep. If we find these items during our setup we put them in safekeeping for you. As for the rest we do ask that you do not throw anything away.
When we meet we can see what is for sale which will help us assess the amount of work involved and the approximate value of the estate sale.
When we meet we can see what is for sale which will help us assess the amount of work involved and the approximate value of the estate sale.
How do you prepare for our estate sale?
The first step is choosing a date and signing a contract. Our team comes into your home a few days prior to your estate sale setup. We bring clothing racks, tables, table cloths, locked showcases, wrapping supplies, and whatever else is needed. We use available tables, shelves and similar areas for display purposes. A secure area is sanctioned off for small valuables.
Then we fully stage, research and price merchandise.
Upon completion we mark the prices on the items using a variety of labels, tags and stickers. At the end of our setup, we take photos for our website and advertising.
A couple of days before your estate sale, a notice is emailed to our subscribers informing them of the address, the date, photos and description of the content.
A couple of days before your estate sale, a notice is emailed to our subscribers informing them of the address, the date, photos and description of the content.
Who prices items ?
Our team researches, evaluates and prices all items, based on a combined knowledge and experience of 75+ years in the market. On certain select items, we honour a reserve price set by the client.
How do you go about marketing our sale ?
We pride ourselves on being the premier Estate Sale and Liquidation company in the greater Montreal area.
We advertise online and in various newspapers. We provide advertising on our site and our mailing list reaches close to 4,000 loyal customers ranging from private buyers, designers and dealers. Additionally, on the day of the sale, we post street signs directing people to the sale.
We advertise online and in various newspapers. We provide advertising on our site and our mailing list reaches close to 4,000 loyal customers ranging from private buyers, designers and dealers. Additionally, on the day of the sale, we post street signs directing people to the sale.
Do you provide cleanups ?
We remove our materials, showcases, tables, clothing racks, signs, etc. In addition, we offer an à la carte cleaning service post-sale.
Do you plan the sale for before or after I leave my home ?
We ask that our client have moved out of the house before we begin our setup for your Estate Sale. This is best for both the client and our staff as we stage the house freely without having your items still in the home. In the event that you cannot move out before we work around your items marking them as not for sale.
How much notice do you need to plan an estate sale ?
Depending on our availability we can plan a sale in a few days. Please ensure that you contact us as soon as possible.
Why You Might Need An Appraisal ?
An appraisal is a professional, unbiased legal report providing you with an accurate description and value of your personal property at any given point in time.
There are many reasons you might need an appraisal. Below are some of the more common.
Personal Appraisal uses in this category include:
Insurance: An appraisal determines replacement value, provides protection in the event of loss, and assists in establishing proper insurance coverage for household effects, antiques, fine art, silver, jewelry, etc.
Estates: Clarify questions of property value. Facilitate the disposition of estate tax reporting requirements. Assist heirs with distribution/de- accessioning property.
Estate Planning: Assist financial planners and related professionals in establishing clients net worth. Be used for judicious estate planning.
Divorce/Property Division: Assist attorneys and their clients in matters of equitable distribution for divorce or dissolution of marriage.
Damage or Loss: Determine loss of value on damaged items and replacement value on lost items.
Price Confirmation: Determine the age and value of your item.
Resale: Establish values before selling.
Liquidation of Personal Property: Establish values before selling.
Donations: Determine value and create documentation for tax purpose.
Corporate Appraisal uses in this category include; Mergers, acquisitions and loan collateral. Tax Loss (Bankruptcy): Establish and document values for claiming a loss. Loan Collateral: Establish values for business loans based on collateral. After our first point of contact everything is discussed at the setup meeting.
Please note: In the case of an infirm or where being present may not be possible, we take the initiative and sort out your content.
There are many reasons you might need an appraisal. Below are some of the more common.
Personal Appraisal uses in this category include:
Insurance: An appraisal determines replacement value, provides protection in the event of loss, and assists in establishing proper insurance coverage for household effects, antiques, fine art, silver, jewelry, etc.
Estates: Clarify questions of property value. Facilitate the disposition of estate tax reporting requirements. Assist heirs with distribution/de- accessioning property.
Estate Planning: Assist financial planners and related professionals in establishing clients net worth. Be used for judicious estate planning.
Divorce/Property Division: Assist attorneys and their clients in matters of equitable distribution for divorce or dissolution of marriage.
Damage or Loss: Determine loss of value on damaged items and replacement value on lost items.
Price Confirmation: Determine the age and value of your item.
Resale: Establish values before selling.
Liquidation of Personal Property: Establish values before selling.
Donations: Determine value and create documentation for tax purpose.
Corporate Appraisal uses in this category include; Mergers, acquisitions and loan collateral. Tax Loss (Bankruptcy): Establish and document values for claiming a loss. Loan Collateral: Establish values for business loans based on collateral. After our first point of contact everything is discussed at the setup meeting.
Please note: In the case of an infirm or where being present may not be possible, we take the initiative and sort out your content.
How is fair market value (FMV) of goods determined ?
A Fair Market Value Appraisal is the price that reflects the fair resale value of items from a willing seller to a willing buyer.
A Fair Market Value Appraisal from Ronda Bly Estate Sales & Appraisals is a CPPAG, USPAP compliant document stating our professional and impartial opinion of the value of your property.
Ronda Bly and her team which hold a combined experience of 75 years, research extensively and provide you with the best assessments to obtain the highest returns.
A Fair Market Value Appraisal from Ronda Bly Estate Sales & Appraisals is a CPPAG, USPAP compliant document stating our professional and impartial opinion of the value of your property.
Ronda Bly and her team which hold a combined experience of 75 years, research extensively and provide you with the best assessments to obtain the highest returns.
What happens to the goods not sold at the end of an estate sale ?
We have a very high sales rate, however some items will remain unsold, at the end of the sale. There are options for the unsold items which we would be happy to discuss with you.
What if I only have a few select items to sell ?
If you only have few items to sell, we can also offer small groups with select buyers or take items on consignment.
Supported items for consignment are: Quality Paintings, Sculpture, Jewelry, Metals; Gold -Jewelry and Coins & Sterling -Flatware and Hollowware, Objets d’Art, Fine Arts and Fine Antiques.
How do I find out about future sales ?
At the top of our homepage (html anchor link) you find dates for upcoming sales (click here). You can also follow us on Facebook (link page here) or sign up to our newsletter (link page here).
How do I find out about future sales ?
At the top of our homepage (html anchor link) you find dates for upcoming sales (click here). You can also follow us on Facebook (link page here) or sign up to our newsletter (link page here).
Do you pre-sell before an estate sale date ?
We do not pre-sell. If you are unable to attend a sale and see an item you wish to purchase, you can send a proxy. We are fair to all our customers and do not sell anything outside of the scheduled dates and times of the sales.
Professional Services
Our appraisals include on-site examination of the items, inventory of the items to be appraised and digital photographs. Any relevant documentation such as invoices, receipts or old appraisals will be considered when assessing the items. After the information on the items to be appraised has been collected we will proceed with the research.