Barbara Holmes

Barbara Holmes of Medford, Ore., hopes she can save some headaches for families planning an estate sale.

The former Chattanoogan, a 1967 graduate of East Ridge High School, said she felt cheated by a business she and her sister hired to handle the disposition of "50 years of accumulation" within her mother's home.

Ms. Holmes said she and her sister wound up with no money from the sale when they were told, after the fact, there was a minimum amount the company had to collect from the sale.

"These were not fancy antiques," she said, "but it was a lifetime of stuff."

Although proceeds from the sale were slightly above what Ms. Holmes was told was the minimum the business would accept, the business assessed her the rest of the proceeds and more to pack up and ship other items.

Ms. Holmes and several area estate sale business owners say there are steps potential sellers should take to protect themselves.

Prior to selecting an estate sale business, said Pat Reynolds of Apple Estate Sales, a seller should ask their friends for referrals. When they meet the business owners, she said, they trust their instincts and ask for references. After all, she said, "you're going to turn over everything to them."

Mary Jo Richie of Those Girls Inc. said sellers should read contracts and "go over everything and understand it fully." If there are any questions, she said, they should discuss them with the estate sale business owners.

The contract should spell out what percentage of sales the business will take, who is responsible for what and what is to be done with the items not sold, she said.

Sellers should ask who is responsible if a buyer's check bounces, where the money will be held at end of sale and when a check to the sellers should be expected, Ms. Richie said.

Anywhere from 15 days to a month is a reasonable time frame during which to expect payment, estate sale professionals said.

"You're putting a lot of trust in this person," said Ms. Holmes. "You hope they will honor that."