Can't get an estate seller to do a cleanout

debodun said:
Would you throw out things that meant a lot to your parents?
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Because your parents are gone and you have to get on with your life. I read a post where a couple was moving stuff. One of the things they moved was a box from their grandparents that sat unopened for 20 years in their parents house and it was moved unopened into their new home.
Deb, if you watched Antiques Roadshow when they show appraisals from 2007 and then update them to now, there are some items that lost 80% of their appraised value.
I remember when my mother passed away, I looked around her condo, and did not see anything I wanted. Some of the things were ones that meant a lot to her, but had no place in my life.
 

Della said:
When we moved here from the country, we bought mostly new furniture because we were going for a more contemporary look. All our old furniture we let stay in the country house for "staging" purposes. Then one day, after months of nothing, we got a call from the real estate company saying we had a buyer and needed to go to closing in a few days!

We were at a loss as what to do, then we were driving through the edge of town past a small group of apartments that housed most of the people from Mexico who worked at the meat packing plant. I asked my husband to turn in. I spotted a young woman walking her dog and told him to pull over.

I asked her if she knew anyone who would like some slightly used furniture. She said, "How much?" I said, "Free." She said, "Wait."

Within a few minutes she came back with another woman who only asked for a few more minutes to gather up a few men friends with a truck. They followed us out to our house and carried out: two sofas, a rocking chair, end tables, a hutch, dining room table with four chairs, queen size bed, dresser, twin bed, and I can't remember what else. Since it was given not sold they were even able to take the newish mattresses.

She was so happy! She kept hugging me and thanking us in Spanish. We never had so much fun!
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Just reading this made my day! 🌹 🌹 🌹
 
debodun said:
Would you throw out things that meant a lot to your parents?
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Most likely the majority of posters are like me. Moved out of their parents home & began living their life apart from them. Living with & inheriting parents home filled with "stuff" as can be read in many of your posts has had an effect on you that isn't typical.

So to answer the question.

Yes to throwing out THINGS that your parents bought for their use or pleasure. Items that AREN'T THINGS but have deep sentimental value would make sense to me to keep.
 

debodun said:
Would you throw out things that meant a lot to your parents?
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No. I'd donate anything usable. One local thrift store has two collections that belong to someone who passed away or had to give up their home.

Can you sell and do fill a box for x dollars. I don't know but this piece by piece thing I don't think is working.
 
@debodun, if you could find a couple of young guys with a pickup, you could pay them to move the big furniture. Many young people going to school are looking for some work.

Ask at your church or call the pastor and see if he can recommend someone.

Only have them move the big things that you truly know you want to keep. If there’s something that you want later on, call them to do another quick load.

Pay decent wages.
 
People like that are usually uninsured. If they get hurt helping me move, or damage things, I'm OOL. I remember when we moved in 1975. My dad hired some guys from an ad in the Pennysaver. They ended up putting a big gouge in the dining room table carrying it into the house. It scraped against the door lock plate.
 
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Are you worried about insurance for your goods or for their safety? If either, hire a professional company for a few hours. It’ll cost but it will save you mental & physical aggravation. There are usually small companies that will work by the hour, with a minimum number of hours.

If you have everything marked, it can go smoothly. Just have them do the big stuff that you can’t deal with.
 
When my mother's house was going to sell, everything that was still in the house was damaged, ruined. My two sisters kept a few items. I didn't want anything. I felt different .... it would be too sad to be looking at her items. Thankfully, Mom before getting sick, gave me a few items that I've kept. A lamp, a pink candy dish, a salt/pepper set and the diamond pendant.
 
debodun said:
People like that are usually uninsured. If they get hurt helping me move, or damage things, I'm OOL. I remember when we moved in 1975. My dad hired some guys from an ad in the Pennysaver. They ended up putting a big gouge in the dining room table carrying it into the house. It scraped against the door lock plate.
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I would still take a look at the local amateur movers before spending a large sum for a name brand national moving company.

If you’re concerned about being sued talk to your insurance agent about an umbrella liability insurance policy. You probably should have the additional coverage to protect your garage sale customers anyway.

As far as the movers paying for damage even with the insurance they offer you will have to fight for even a small claim. The value will be based on the current value of a used dresser, television, etc... If the items have been packed by the shipper they will most likely take no responsibility.
 
debodun said:
People seem so detached and unsentimental these day.
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I think it's more that they don't want to be burdened by possessions that someone else purchased and may or may not have treasured. Even if those someones were family members.
debodun said:
I know how that goes - I've heard it before - get a dumpster.
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Maybe it's time to believe it and put that advice into action.

If you drag all this crap to your new house (which I suspect you will), it'll cost you time, money and aggravation, ruin your potential enjoyment of starting over in a new space all your own, and place you back in the same pickle you are right now - surrounded by junk you don't want or need but are trying endlessly to wring out at the princely sum of $5 per item.

Try being generous with a world that has provided for you. It might shock you how much openhandedness will lift your spirits.
 
StarSong said:
I think it's more that they don't want to be burdened by possessions that someone else purchased and may or may not have treasured. Even if those someones were family members.

Maybe it's time to believe it and put that advice into action.

If you drag all this crap to your new house (which I suspect you will), it'll cost you time, money and aggravation, ruin your potential enjoyment of starting over in a new space all your own, and place you back in the same pickle you are right now - surrounded by junk you don't want or need but are trying endlessly to wring out at the princely sum of $5 per item.

Try being generous with a world that has provided for you. It might shock you how much openhandedness will lift your spirits.
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Where Deb lives isn't a overly populated so by now her yard sales are pretty well known. I'm guessing here but as you say dragging all the crap she puts out at her new location could fool people. Shouldn't take long for yard sale goes to figure out that it's the SSDD.

Few expected Deb to buy the home she did. Maybe she will surprise posters by taking the advice given to give away what she can & trash the rest.
 

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