The Estate Sale Company, LLC

The above is as much as I wish to discuss.

We signed a contract on May 26th. We were supposed to be paid from my mother's estate sale within 14 days. They called me two days later saying that their bank accounts had been frozen. We asked for some proof but they wouldn't give us any proof.  They said they couldn't pay us because their was an issue with their Tax ID. I am taking them small claims. They breached their contract. We tried to work with them for a whole month. They wanted a key to my mother's house which I didn't want to give them, but they got one anyways. When I went to check on the house one time, there was a 12 pack of beer in the fridge which wasn't there before. They been giving us excuses for months. We finally a year later won the law suit against Doug McKiddie. We won attorney fees and what they owed us from a year ago.

Many companies I contacted were not interested in doing business with me simply because my home (in their opinion) was too far from town. The small community of Buckeye Arizona is, apparently, not the best place to hold an estate sale. But, when I talked to Doug McKeddie, owner of The Estate Sale Company, he was not dissuaded by my out-of-town location and the challenge it posed. Even knowing my rather remote location he made an appointment without hesitation and he arrived promptly on the appointed day and hour.

When we sat down at the kitchen table to talk for the first time, he did not launch into a sales pitch like the other companies I interviewed. What interested him most was learning about what I needed, how and when I wanted to see it done and what I expected the outcome would be. He, in turn, gave me an education of the estate sale process and what I could expect - before, during and after the sale.

When he was sure that he understood what my expectations were and that I had a good idea of what the estate sale process involved, he then began to share entertaining stories of how he came to be in the estate sales business. He recounted his rich and varied experiences in the business community that qualified him to offer his services in this particular capacity. In addition to sales and promotion know how, his years in business has garnered many local contacts here in the Phoenix area and on the west coast (the importance of this is evident later in this review).

Our first visit was an enjoyable, unhurried conversation (not a sales pitch) in which he was happy to answer all of my questions  about him, his business and the estate sale process ... after all, if I hired him, he would have access to my home and all its possessions. When he was sure that we had an understanding and had toured the house so he could see the scope of the job ahead, only then did he asked me if I would be interested in reviewing the agreement that explained his services and fees. The 2-page document was brief, easy to understand (written in plain English) and covered every part of the estate sales process. Our pleasant visit ended with a handshake, an exchange of contact information and a final humorous story about the sales business. As he was leaving, I realized we had not completed a contract and mentioned this to him - he explained that he wanted me to finish my other scheduled interviews before I signed an agreement. He wanted me to be absolutely confident in my final choice. 

Hiring Doug McKeddie was the easy choice. When the agreement was signed he immediately got down to business and explained the details and importance of preparation and presentation. Since I was determined to prepare the house myself, he offered his assistance should I need it. Three weeks in to the preparation phase I knew I would never be ready on time and phoned Doug for help. He responded by putting my mind at ease, arranging help and personally supervising the final prep for the sale. This is something I noticed from start to finish - Doug was always there to be sure the job was done quickly and professionally - always with a personal touch.

I should mention that Doug is also quite knowledgeable and possesses a keen eye when it comes to pricing most items in the home. The few item prices I did question were either adequately explained or adjusted to my satisfaction. 

The sale took place during the first three days of March. Doug brought multiple helpers with him to watch/manage the crowds and control the exit points to insure no one walked out without paying. I was amazed! Many of my items were being sold at substantially higher prices then I thought they would bring. I knew it was due to the negotiation skills of my representative; he would not compromise on the value of my possessions. 

On the third and final day, about 70% of my items had sold. Due to the current difficult economy, the high prices of gas which discouraged most traffic from Phoenix (which was 30 minutes away) and a neighborhood-wide yard sale going on nearby, we didn't get the traffic we had hoped for. Despite the personal inconvenience, Doug volunteered to return for a 4th day and opened the house on Sunday! The effort paid off - many more items were sold totaling an additional $1000. Doug and his helpers not only worked on Sunday but stayed 2 hours longer than originally planned because people were still walking through the house.

Despite a diligent 4-day effort, many items remained including a set of antique china, high-end woodworking equipment, and other antique architectural detail items of value only to a specific clientele. Doug was not at a loss for a plan of action. He made a few phone calls, arranged for a nearby auction house to pickup the remaining items for weekend sale. In addition, he is arranging to have a few specialty items taken to his California business contacts for sale on the west coast where the sales price may be substantially higher.

Settling the account was also uncomplicated. I was provided a daily list of sold items along with the sales price. When compared to my own lists and photos made before the sale, I found that all items were accounted for and, happily, usually for a higher price than I expected. 

At this time the proceeds of the auctions have yet to be tallied. I should mention that Doug is also supervising the sale of my items at the auction house to insure an adequate reserve. Yet more service with a personal touch. 

My business dealings thus far with Doug McKeddie and The Estate Sale Company have been educational and lucrative. He is generous with his time and eager to share his knowledge. He is a fair and savvy business man and an accomplished storyteller. He always kept in touch, informing me of his current efforts, reviewing what was already accomplished and explaining what was to come next.  It is also worth mentioning that Doug is bi-lingual Spanish which is a very valuable skill in the sales business! He didn't treat me like a valued customer, he treated me like family. He knows his business, honors his word and most importantly, he earned my trust not by words, but through his tireless effort and deeds.

I would hire him again and recommend him to anyone who is in need of competent advice and representation with regard to estate liquidation.