Clearing out a townhouse in PA - need help pricing some things

So I called an estate sales place - I don't think there's enough items of value for it to be worthwhile.  The buyer may be interested in some of the pieces - not sure how to price things though.  Not sure if it would be worth it to UHaul some of the stuff back and sell it locally.  It would be a little easier if it were just over the border in PA - but it's more like 3 hours away.  One online auction place said they could handle this - with a minimum of $600 for their service.

Here's some samples of the items:

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Go the estate sale route.  That stuff looks to be in good shape and will sell.  You will need to be out there for a day or two to catalogue beforehand and think pricing.  Local folks (Kristen et.al. can also help, with good pics).  Email me with a location and I'll see if I can reach out to a few folks in PA that can steer you or take it on.  Doing it here will be a PIA unless you've got a spot to stage it all in one place.

it's in Carlisle

Lemme look into it tomorrow.

Ask the realtor for recommendations.  In Ohio, that is how I found someone who does both tag sales and clean-outs afterward.  But for a small sale, expect a good chunk of the sale to go to the fee (about 50% in our case, but it beat all other methods for quick and easy clean-out before a sale).

You could also check and see if there is a place that does furniture consignments (more common when you get out of NJ).

In our case, we found that the allegedly valuable furniture (recent purchases in dated styles) often went unsold, and that the value was in the random items (an ancient metal fan, vintage kitchenware and the like).

This one estate sale place got back to me, I think they take 35% for items in the $100-500 range - 20% 500-1,000 range and a $200 fee.

jamie said:

This one estate sale place got back to me, I think they take 35% for items in the $100-500 range - 20% 500-1,000 range and a $200 fee.

I would go this route, and I would ask them for an estimate of what they think the numbers will be. Perhaps getting another one or two places to do the same if you are able to find more. 

We did this for a relative out of state, and the value of cleaning out the house of items we didn't want had great value, more value than I realized. I wish we'd left much more behind to be sold instead of hauling it to Maplewood and slowly divesting of the stuff through garage sales and give aways over the following ten years.

So it sounds like the buyer wants a good portion of the items - but I'm not too sure how to price these things - anyone have a rough estimate for some of the bigger items - like the dressers?

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I'm not an expert but for the larger dressers, if the finish is in good condition, I would ask around $100-$150.

Exercise bike, $50-$80

Sofa:$50 (unless it's a great designer piece and the upholstery is perfect, than maybe $100-150)

Small dinette set, $30 (dated and I see these things sit no matter what the quality and condition is)

Retro dinette set, if this is from the 50s and the Formica, chrome and vinyl on the seats is in good condition, you can ask more. $250

Leather chair, I've sold a similar one recently for $100. The style is classic. 

Living room table looks nice, if it's full dining height maybe $100.

Microwave, I'd never charge a lot because these can go at any time. $20 at most

Mirror, maybe $30-40 unless it's an antique. May only get $20 though depending on finish.

Lamp, $20-30? Could be more or less depending on finish.

Wooden pieces like the work bench which looks more like an old tv cabinet, and the cocktail table, cheap, $20 or so. Same thing with the bookcase and the plastic storage thing. I wouldn't expect much for utilitarian pieces like this and would just want them gone. 

Fireplace, maybe up to $50.

Hope this helps. 

I'm no expert but if someone is buying many pieces I would offer a bundled price that is discounted off the per item prices.

Email crazy_quilter.

Well, are you trying to empty the place and get rid of stuff, or trying to make money?  That's the way I look at it.  Low prices equals fewer headaches.

Good point - I'm not looking to get top dollar.

J,  

try setting a $$$ goal and price accordingly- for the bundle,  don't just give it away.     All that stuff appears to be in good cond.  In some cases grouping(s) have more value together than separately.  For ex. workbench + pegboard + a FEW tools (sans clutter)= $100 as a 'complete' work area.  Desk + file cab + chair= home office.  Again clear clutter.  Recliners + sofa + shoji screens + lights = living room set.   Price accordingly.

Perhaps you can put together a list- by set- with a 'per set' price.  Then list a discounted whole ball of wax price.  Would $1,000 be too little?  Ask high, settle later.  

As stated each item sold is one less hassle.