Estate sales are a great way to clear out clutter and unwanted items from a home, especially when a family is moving or grieving the loss of a loved one. This job can be time-consuming and perplexing, but there are experts who can make the process simple and profitable. You must be an expert antiques researcher, a great salesperson, and have a knack for advertising if you want to work as an estate liquidator. In exchange, this job offers a variety of challenges and opportunities for learning.
If you want to work as an estate liquidator, you don’t need any formal education, but there are a variety of school subjects that will help you succeed. History, math, and art are all useful in running a business and conducting product research. Most liquidators do not enter this profession without first working as an apprentice for an experienced estate seller to learn the process, gain experience, and make connections.
If you want to work as an estate liquidator, the most difficult task is research. You must, first and foremost, be an antiques expert, as these are the most common items with which you will be dealing. It’s crucial to learn about the quirks of furniture, art, and jewelry in order to distinguish a valuable antique from junk. It’s also important to research the market so you know what items are priced fairly when you’re going around the house putting prices on them.
Advertising is another important skill to learn if you want to work as an estate liquidator. You’ll need to know where the best places to advertise your sale, such as yard signs and newspaper ads. You should also be familiar with various antiques dealers and collectors whom you can invite to increase your sales. You’ll need to hone your sales skills because you’ll be in charge of not only pricing items but also selling them to customers. You must also be numerate because you will be paid a percentage of the money collected during the sale rather than a flat rate.
After you become an estate liquidator, you will need to improve a variety of skills in order to perform these various jobs. Because you will often be dealing with family heirlooms after a death in the family, listening skills are essential. Frequently, the family who hires you for the sale feels compelled to speak about the deceased person and what certain items meant to them. Although this information isn’t always useful for selling, it is an important aspect of the job that can help you gain perspective.