My father just died...and he has lots of stuff...please help

[saintpaulgolf]

My father just passed away and he has lots of toys, collectibles, etc. and my family and I were wondering if there are people who will take all your items, and picture them, list them, box them and ship them, for a percentage/fee. 

I am in St. Paul, MN. 55106. 

Does anyone know of anyone locally who does this sort of thing?? 

[jonathankirkland]

Sorry for your loss.

I do not mean to be rude, but have you considered doing a web search? I just did a quick search and found several sites who offer this kind of service nationwide.

[siayan]

Sorry for the loss.

If it is good stuff I would look for a reputable auctioneer. You will get rid of everything with a lot less hassle and maybe more then you would get with a consignor.

With an auctioneer get everything on paper, commission, expenses, advertising. Some get get carried away with fees.

[turquoisetulips]

My father just passed away and he has lots of toys, collectibles, etc. and my family and I were wondering if there are people who will take all your items, and picture them, list them, box them and ship them, for a percentage/fee.  saintpaul - op - unquote 

First let me express my deepest sympathies on the passing of your father . I lost my own in 2012  and it was sorrowful time .  As for your question  ,, yes there are  but I've personally never used one. I'm sure other posters will be along shortly to give you better info than I can .  tulips

[kemcin_26]

I'm sorry for your loss I know how it is when you inherit a whole bunch of stuff that you have no clue what to do with.

I still have a three car garage that is full of my parents stuff and I've been trying slowly to get rid of it over the last 20 years.

You might consider looking into professional estate sales in your area and hiring somebody to go in appraise and price everything and then host the sale for you.

[southern*sweet*tea]

My condolences on your father's passing    I lost mine 42 years ago, sometimes it still feels like yesterday. Just know he's always with you in your heart and your mind and your soul.

I would find an auction house or estate sale company, or someone to take the entire lot off your hands at once. You may not get as much for it, but in my opinion it would be better to do it that way than to potentially have to deal with all of it for years and years.  Sometimes in those situations resentment sets in, and you don't want that to happen.  It can be very overwhelming dealing with someone else's stuff, especially if there is a lot of it.

[tunicaslot]

I offer you my deepest sympathies. Like another has suggested here - it's probably best to look for someone who does estate sales in your area. You can either look on Craigs list for estate sellers or use this link wherein you can see similar sales in the area and what estate seller is running them - https://www.estatesales.net/

It's best to deal with an established business because resellers will often under value your items so that they make a bigger profit. Best to let someone with expertise like an estate seller handle the pricing and selling of your dad's estate.

My thoughts are with you.

[saintpaulgolf]

Thanks for the replies. Keep them coming. 

My dad was the best guy I ever knew...everyone that knew him said he was among the best they ever knew. He was a selfless man. 

[penguins_dont_fly]

I lost my dad 2 years ago, my condolences to you.

Luckily, both of my parents did their downsizing years ago.

I agree with the others ... find a reputable estate seller or auctioneer and do everything at once.

They will take a commission, but a good estate company will make sure that everything is valued correctly... and it will be much less stressful for you that way.

Somebody else posted the link for estate sales ... research companies in your area ... If you have time, go to a few sales and check out what they do, if you can. Get references from people.

There are too many fly-by-night resellers calling themselves "Estate Sale"  companies...make sure that they have a good reputation with their clients (not with local resellers) ...to be honest, you don't want the ones that eBay sellers like ...

[kathieskorner]

It depends on whether you are more interested in the money or finding new homes for your dad's collectibles.  

If you are not desparate for the money a sale would generate, I would invite family memebers and close friends of your father to come and select a momento to remember him by.   Some may even offer to purchase some items. 

Then I would interview several estate sale and/or auction companies, compare what they tell you, and let one of them handle the sale.  You could also check out local consignment shops.  

Using someone you don't know to sell your items on ebay would be my absolute last choice. 

[divwido]

Wouldn't a garage or Estate Sale Be faster and easier?

[tunicaslot]

Not only does using someone to sell on Ebay carry a lot of risk as to their honesty - but with the return policies here - they may hold your money until any chance of a return has passed - that could be up to 60 days here - but then Paypal allows an additional 4 months on top of that.

[marilyn6122]

Sorry for your loss. This can be an overwhelming task for anyone..but for your own protection, walk through and take a lot of pictures of what is there BEFORE allowing anyone else (except siblings) to go in. Make a list of the large items. Find a reputable and licensed Estate Sale Company and take the time to sit down and go over everything. INSIST on a contract. Using a "friend" that knows all about this sort of thing is the best way to lose a friend. Educate yourself on the more collectible items. Good Luck .

[discountme]

Try OfferUp, Mercari or Let Go Apps as well as Craigslist and list some here that may be worth more money.

[labs118]

So very sorry for your loss it's a painful thing for sure.
Hoping you hold close all the good memories with him.
I have lost Dad, 2 brothers & most recently my mom.

Her house has been sitting filled down to the rounded side china cabinets for 3&1/2 yrs and I am a seller here.

I would never sell her things here and I believe it would be very hard for you to find anyone here willing to do what your looking for. It's  alot of work it may take along time & be painful
I am with everyone else do research look for an estate sale person/company


ebay had it's own valet service that sold items for people & even that didn't make it.
they just closed that down.
 
ebay & Paypal make it very hard with all the buyer protection .
You sell something collect your money & 30 days to 180 days later a buyer can come back after you.
Seller gives you the money and 6 months later Paypal comes & takes it away from them !!!!
this will make it hard for you to find anyone willing to do it for you. 

Estate sale over and done with in a weekend , cash in hand , no returns & no dragging it out 

Sounds to the point but I compare my Mom's with my Mother in laws
Family on the in law side jumped in did everything fast , Mother in Law passed after my Mother . things are gone house is sold.

My family & my Mom's still sitting lingering & making it harder to deal with taking it apart as time passes.

Best of luck to you & your family as you move through this difficult and most painful time