Garage sale or estate sale?

Question: My mother has read your column regarding collections and collecting. She isn't an avid collector of any one particular thing, however having spent the last 40+ years in her South Hill home a collection has accumulated. She will be down-sizing this spring and needs to part with many things. We are weighing the advantages of garage and estate sales, however it would be easier of us all if we could deal with fewer people. We both were wondering if you could recommend any resources to help. I will be the go-between as Mom isn't yet online. -- Mary Bailey

Answer: I understand your mother's concerns. I had the same questions when we moved cross-country to Spokane. Each situation is different, but usually when a family holds a garage sale, buyers expect lower prices and to be able to "dicker" with prices.

When a family has an estate sale a third party handles the advertising, pricing and the actual sale. Buyers have less wiggle room on prices, and the family gets a better return on their goods. The estate sale agent usually charges a fee and sometimes a percentage of the sale. Both a garage sale and estate sale can be difficult for anyone. However the advantage of having an estate sale - through a dealer - is that the family is usually not involved on the day(s) of the sale. This sometimes helps us separate emotionally from all of those "treasures."