*VertOriai AOMestatesales.com
Uncovering
Hic ivi"
Shannon Mackie { Contributing Writer
R
obin Cohen's loyal
website, AOMestatesales.com ,
clients often rave about
which is visited by collectors from
the revenue she was
all over the world. Cohen recently
able to achieve for them. After
fielded a call from an art collector
all, many people significantly
in Amsterdam who wanted to buy
underestimate the value of
some paintings that were part of
estate sales.
a client's sale. Cohen managed
Cohen, the owner of
the sale of the paintings and even
AOMestate sales.com , knows
shipped them to Amsterdam. She
people often place estate sales
also advertises upcoming sales to
on the same level as garage
her network of thousands of loyal
sales. But she also knows that
customers and on www.
estate sale items can bring in
estatesales.net .
Cohen is the former owner of
top prices — usually more than
they would earn at auction.
Antiques on Main, a Royal Oak
With more than 20 years of
antique store that she closed in or-
experience as an estate sales
der to focus solely on estate sales.
planner and antiques dealer,
Her current team consists of many
Cohen knows just how to get
former Antiques on Main employ-
top dollar for her clients. Many
ees, who are also well-versed in
factors influence the success of
antiques, art and collections.
an estate sale, including pricing,
With almost 60 estate sales last
presentation and advertising.
year, AOMestatesales.com is un-
As a professional antiques
doubtedly a successful company.
dealer and long-time collector,
Although some of Cohen's
Cohen has become an expert on Set of three A lex Katz
clients fit the estate sale image
prints
pricing merchandise perfectly.
— those who are settling the
"My clients usually wind up
estate of a recently passed family
with more money in sales than
member — many are also simply
they ever expected," she said.
downsizing. She often works
"They wind up further ahead
with individuals and couples who
are moving permanently into an
because we work hard to get
them the best price."
existing second home and have
Staging, or presentation, is
decided to sell the first house and
such an important part of a suc-
all its contents.
cessful estate sale that Cohen
As a former art and design
and her team spend the entire
student whose own house is filled
week before the sale prepar-
with art deco and mid-century
ing. They spend hours staging,
pieces, Cohen has clearly found
Tiffany lamp
cleaning, polishing silver and
her career calling.
touching up furniture.
"I love everything about it,"
"We make sure the place looks fabulous;
she said. "I've met so many wonderful people
we're very diligent because it makes a dif-
who have become my friends, and I've heard
ference in how much gets sold and at what
many fascinating stories. It's gratifying to
price," she said. "And, we want the photos of
hear my customers tell me we've done our
the house to be outstanding because that's
job well."
Cohen and her husband live in Bloomfield
what brings people to the sale."
Photos are vital to attracting a large audi-
Township. They attend Temple Shir Shalom in
ence, but so are other forms of advertising.
West Bloomfield Township. Read more about
Cohen advertises her clients' sales on her
AOMestatesales.com at its website.
■
8 Floor Space Magazine • November 2013
Choosing an Estate Sale Company
• Inquire about a company's knowledge,
background and insurance. Remember
— don't choose a company based only
on its commission rate.
• Visit some of the company's sales un-
announced — take note of the sale's at-
tendance, the staffing and the condition
of the house. Are all items clean and
priced? Is there adequate staff to pro-
vide proper assistance and security? Are
they friendly, courteous and helpful?
• Talk with some of the company's staff
— learn more about their qualifications
and expertise.
• Interview some customers about their
experiences.
• Ask for and check references!
Testimonials
"I have to compliment you on the
outstanding job you did for my parents'
estate sale. Your professionalism was
obvious from the minute you came to
the house to evaluate their belongings.
I had interviewed other companies and
no one knew the value of items like you
did."
— Sheryl
"I wanted to compliment you and your
staff on the estate sales you hosted in
Novi and Northville this past weekend.
It was a pleasure to shop for treasures
in such beautiful homes. The sales were
well organized and the staff was efficient
and cordial."
— SR
"We want to thank you for the extraor-
dinary job you did with our estate sale.
From the initial consultation to the final
clean-up, you were courteous, profes-
sional, patient, and incredibly successful.
Thank you again and again."
— L and RG