What areas do you service?
Thomas’s Treasures primarily serves the Metro Detroit and surrounding areas. We have conducted estate sales in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. Estate Sales in the cities of Detroit, Gross Pointe, St. Clair Shores, Rochester, Warren, Northville, Farmington, Livonia, Redford, Westland, Canton, Belleville, Allen Park, and Southgate are just a few of the cities we have worked in. We are willing to travel just about anywhere!
How does it work?
At the free consultation, Thomas’s Treasures will walk through home to assess the entire house and contents. We will discuss which items will be for sale and which items you wish to keep. After walk through, we discuss options of conducting a sale, or conducting a clean out or donation services. We then will go over a contract, of which you will know how Thomas’s Treasures will be conducting their services from start to finish. After that, you take items you wish to keep, and leave the rest to us. We supply all of necessary items to conduct the sale such as tables, shelves, bags and newspapers. We will organize, clean, take photos, advertise, get appropriate permits, and run the sale. At the end of the sale we also offer option of a Clean Out. This includes donating any items that did not sell, and that you do not wish to keep. It can be donated to the organization of your choosing, or through one of the many charitable organizations we network with. The rest will properly disposed of any detritus that is left behind, leaving your space broom swept clean.
What kind of items can you sell?
EVERYTHING. Ely once sold 5,000 rubber stamps and was able to donate 500 of them to Jefferson Elementary School in Redford Township on behalf of the family. Odds are we’ve not only seen it, we’ve sold it. Common items include but are not limited to:
- Antique furniture, sculpture, art
- Fine and rare books and magazines
- Jewelry, both costume and fine, silver, gold
- Antique and modern toys and collectibles
- Vintage and modern clothes, linens, housewares
- Sporting and sewing/craft items
- Home furnishings, appliances, office items
- Garage and yard tools, plants
- Hand tools, machine tools, construction equipment and materials
- Cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RV’s, snowmobiles
Is my house too big or too big of a mess?
NEVER. Thomas’s Treasures has worked in tiny bungalows to mini mansions. We have worked with all manner of collectors both organized and disorganized. We have seen homes in all manner of disarray. It doesn’t scare or shock us, we pass NO judgement, and we treat all homes and owners with care and respect. We specialize in (hoarder – we like to call them “collector” estate sales.
Thomas’s Treasures specializes in organizing the sale and items to mimic the feeling of an upscale boutique. We go room to room organizing, cleaning, and displaying like items with like items. This helps customers to not only find what they are looking for, cutting down on the frustration of digging, but also find things they didn’t know they were looking for. Check out some of the pictures from our Past Sales.
How do you secure my items?
We have staff posted throughout your home during the sale. Thomas’s Treasures also provides locked cases for smaller, valuable items such as jewelry, which is placed right next to the cashier who will also retain custody of said items while the customer continues to shop.
How long does it take?
A full two weeks is preferred so that we can adequately assess and research all items. Although, most sales take about 5-7 days to arrange, 2-3 days for the actual sale, and 3 days for post sale Clean Out. It may take longer if homes have a more substantial collection.
What are your fees? and How is payment made?
Our fees are structured entirely on a commission basis. Please call for a free consultation for an estimate. After the post sale Clean Out, Thomas’s Treasures will meet with you within a week. We do not hold your money. Our commission will be deducted and we will pay you the rest.
Additional fees may be applied for a Clean Out only if the sale does not meet the free Clean Out requirements. This will all be discussed at the free consultation.
Please ask for our special discounts we are running for veterans.
Do I need to be there for setup of sale?
This can be a trying time for you and your family. Thomas’s Treasures understands and respects this. All you need to do is give us keys or let us in and we will handle everything from start to finish.
How do you plan on advertising my sale?
Thomas’s Treasures customizes marketing of your sale based on the contents. In addition to generic advertising including, flyers and signs as well as postings on EstateSales.net, Estatesale.com, Craigslist, and Facebook, we also email our large list of regular sale attendees. We also use directional signs in the neighborhood for local community to be attracted to the sale. We take pictures of an overall layout of the sale and take photos of key items that will attract certain buyers.
If your treasures include a large particular collection we research and find specific groups of people that are interested in those items. For example, if your sale includes a large collection scrapbook supplies we will track down and market to scrapbooking groups in the area. If your sale includes a large amount of automotive tools, Thomas’s Treasures will contact local mechanic groups and unions. We go the extra mile to ensure a good turnout at your sale.
Do you offer other services?
If needed, we offer online sales through our website or Facebook. We also have a vast network of professionals that we can refer you to for other services such as: Realtors, painters, handymen, and movers, just to name a few.
Why should I hire YOUR company?
Thomas’s Treasures is a family owned Estate Sale business that is insured and bonded. Founder, Ely Thomas, his wife Christy, and his sister Emilie, have well over 20 years experience combined with Estate Sales and the resale of items. Our team is empowered by customer service. We pride ourselves in providing outstanding, professional, and reliable service, which maximizes your profits. Our expertise and attention to detail, along with honesty, and integrity, fosters our dedication to our clients and our customers. Through our hard work we can make at least one aspect of the transition easier. We care about that, and we love that our company can make that difference. We are dedicated to making your estate or moving sale a pleasant and profitable experience.
We also understand your home and collectibles are valuable to you. Ely has passion for what he does for a living. He cares about your loved ones items as if it were his own property. Ely has a way with working with customers buying your loved ones items. His ability to sell, and his negotiation skills set him apart from the rest of the industry, which makes Ely very easy to communicate with.
Thomas’s Treasures also plans our sales with hours from 9-5, versus the 10-4 that is common of other companies. We will also plan evening hours if there is enough interest in the sale. This allows opportunity for people that are working during the day to come to your sale, and gives a couple extra hours for people to shop.
We look forward in the opportunity to working with you.
What do I need to do next?
First, DO NOT throw anything away. Remember the saying, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure?” That is absolutely true in the Estate Sale industry which is our expertise. Keep everything and give Ely a call or text: 734-578-8024 or email. Ely will come out personally to your estate at no cost to you and no obligation. From there, Ely will talk with you about options for your sale including dates, times, and when you will be ready for the staff of Thomas’s Treasures to come in to clean, organize, and get ready for the sale.