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AOMestatesales.com
Uncovering
Hictuel eq"asurer
Shannon Mackie { Contributing Writer
R
obin Cohen's loyal clients often rave
Cohen recently fielded a call from an art
about the revenue she was able to
collector in Amsterdam who wanted to buy
achieve for them. After all, many
some paintings that were part of a client's
people significantly underestimate the value
sale. Cohen managed the sale of the paint-
of estate sales.
ings and even shipped them to Amsterdam.
Cohen, the owner of
She also advertises upcoming sales to her
AOMestate sales.com , knows people often
network of thousands of loyal customers and
on www.
place estate sales on the same level as garage
sales. But she also knows that estate sale
estatesales.net .
items can bring in top prices —
Cohen is the former
usually more than they would
owner of Antiques on
earn at auction.
Main, a Royal Oak antique
With more than 20 years of
store that she closed in
experience as an estate sales
order to focus solely on
planner and antiques dealer,
estate sales. Her current
Cohen knows just how to get
team consists of many
top dollar for her clients. Many
former Antiques on Main
factors influence the success of
employees, who are also
an estate sale, including pricing,
well-versed in antiques,
presentation and advertising.
art and collections.
As a professional antiques
With almost 60
dealer and long-time collector,
estate sales last year,
Cohen has become an expert on
AOMestatesales.com is
pricing merchandise perfectly.
undoubtedly a successful
"My clients usually wind up
company.
Set of three Karl Appel
with more money in sales than
Although some of Cohen's
lithographs
they ever expected," she said.
clients fit the estate sale image
"They wind up further ahead
— those who are settling the
because we work hard to get
estate of a recently passed family
them the best price."
member — many are also simply
Staging, or presentation, is
downsizing. She often works
such an important part of a suc-
with individuals and couples who
cessful estate sale that Cohen
are moving permanently into an
and her team spend the entire
existing second home and have
week before the sale prepar-
decided to sell the first house and
ing. They spend hours staging,
all its contents.
cleaning, polishing silver and
As a former art and design
touching up furniture.
student whose own house is filled
"We make sure the place
with art deco and mid-century
Tiffany lamp
looks fabulous; we're very
pieces, Cohen has clearly found
her career calling.
diligent because it makes a
difference in how much gets sold and at what
"I love everything about it," she said. "I've
price," she said. "And, we want the photos of
met so many wonderful people who have
the house to be outstanding because that's
become my friends, and I've heard many
what brings people to the sale."
fascinating stories. It's gratifying to hear my
Photos are vital to attracting a large audi-
customers tell me we've done our job well."
Cohen and her husband live in Bloomfield
ence, but so are other forms of advertising.
Cohen advertises her clients' sales on her
Township. They attend Temple Shir Shalom in
website, AOMestatesales.com , which is
West Bloomfield Township. Read more about
visited by collectors from all over the world.
AOMestatesales.com at its website.
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8
JN Best Of Michigan • December 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
unannounced — take note of the
sale's attendance, the staffing and the
condition of the house. Are all items
clean and priced? Is there adequate
staff to provide 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