Need suggestions for downsizing Dad's "stuff" (too much)

[Thirdyfivepickup]

Ok, so my Dad just turned 80 in April. Thankfully he's fit as a fiddle and active. Lately he's been talking about downsizing... he has a decent sized garage in a residential area. It's packed with 'stuff' he's collected over the past 60 years.

Most of what he has is good stuff. He has a few commercial level saws/machines (band saw, table saw, lathe) etc. Loads of corded hand tools... tons of hand tools. He is primarily a wood worker, but dabbled in all things really. The guy can fix anything. As much as he would like to make some money back on this stuff, he'd like it to go to a good home too.

My question is what's the best way to go about downsizing and selling off his stash? He already said he would like to move the 4 big saws/tools he has... He doesn't even have an email address so listing it online would lie solely on my shoulders, which I'm fine with. I just don't want to have 100 people coming to my dads place and buying stuff.

I had thought about contacting a local auction house. They downsized my mother in laws stuff last year... but it was mostly older furniture and junk. She was unhappy with the money. I think tools would fair much better.

The other plus is the auction house would come and pick up the stuff and take it to their storage until auction time. The down side is there is no reserve on the auction... plus whatever fees they may charge. (I know they have a 13% buyers premium but not sure if the seller is charged a fee?)

He doesn't need the money. Downsizing is preparing him to hopefully move from the ghetto he's currently in and buying a place in a nice area... which I'm very happy about.

Any thoughts on this? (I'll try to get out there and take some pictures)

 

[cvairwerks]

Auction is going to get you about 10% of the value. Bigger stuff, list on craigslist or fleabay, local pickup only, or here or Vintagemachinery.org, if it meets the criteria. Lots of photos, and all the info you can think of in the ad. Smaller stuff that is fairly easy to ship goes on fleabay.

 

[Shiftless]

Yeah, start with some pictures.
GJ has an active thread about all things woodworking. I’m sure some of the guys there could help find new homes for those tools and put them in the hands of deserving folk.

There are a few guys here who buy entire garages full of tools if the price is right.

Any old vises that would fit into flat rate boxes could be sent to me.

High quality mechanic’s tools of any age move easily and bring good money. As you found out, junk and old furniture bring next to nothing especially considering the costs and labor involved in running a sale. When my in-laws both passed, first my wife and I had a garage sale that was basically a mental disaster. Then had an estate company come in a few years later and it went much smoother. After a 50-50 split with the company the family still made decent money.

 

[Dave455]

I would first identify what you want to dispose of.

It sounds to m as though the first things to go will be the bulky things such as machines. After that look at anything else low in value but high in bulk. Materials, hardware, varnish etc. Hand tools should be the last to go. Value is higher and they don’t need much space, comparatively.

Secondly, of that stuff to go, identify what you, and perhaps any other relatives or friends, can use and would like. I’m betting you will get rid of a good deal this way.

For what’s left I think you’ve just got to step up and advertise it on eBay, Craigslist or whatever you have. You will get no money at auction (especially if they’re lazy and want to sell a selection of tools as one “lot”) and they will take a cut!

 

[Shiftless]

Auctions do have one big advantage... you get rid of everything quickly.

Things could be worse.

I watched a young fellow cleaning up his recently departed mother’s house to prepare it for sale. He ordered a big dumpster and just loaded everything into the box, Furniture, small appliances, clothes, everything.

I have seen ads on Craigslist for giving everything away. Come and get it. The downside is the riot on the day it’s open. Sounds too dangerous. Might need off duty police to control the crowds.

 

[jimindm]

I always sort of like reading the answers to threads like this.

What I would say to the OP is what is your time worth, and how much time do you have?
To sell anything takes time. Yours or some one else.

Any business that sells items needs to make a profit. They can sell everything or just a few items, but they have to make money.

I think it is interesting seeing post about selling at auction. I have so say I even encountered that with my MIL when she sold off my FIL stuff after he passed. She complained about how little they got for items. I told her she had to look at it this way. She did not touch nothing, and it was all gone after the auction.

No washing the tractors, no starting the mowers, no packing boxes up, no advertising, nothing but sign on the bottom line. Easy to complain about a riding mower selling for $150, but nothing said about a shoe box of drill bits for $75, a metal pile for $35. The pile of push mowers, the old pile of fencing, the pile of tractor parts, all gone.

Any business is going to sort of estimate the value that you have to sell, how long it will take to sell, and go from there. There has to be enough value for there time.

Many want to sell the cream of the crop, and then auction what is left. You need the good stuff to draw people to your sale. They person may not buy that toolbox, but they bought ten other smaller boxes of tools.

I know people that do this for a living, and I hear it all the time. They go and look at an estate and give them a price, a few weeks later the people sell off the higher priced items, and there is nothing really left to sell. People wonder why.

I would think about the situation of where you live and what the virus has done. Are auctions even being done in person, on site? Are they doing online auctions? Do you really want to be in contact with people coming and looking at stuff.

When we sold my moms stuff after she passed, we sold some bigger stuff, and some collections of her stuff. The rest went outside for a yard sale. After three yard sales of adding new stuff each time, the rest got thrown away.

TBH I think we could have done just as well at auction, and we would not have had so much work in doing it. We would have been done with that part way faster than we were.

How soon is pops ready to go. I think this virus stuff sort of has people not wanting to have contact with anyone. Auction, garage sale, or any other way. I would hold out as long as I could before actually selling the stuff, in the times we are in.

 

[Lassen Forge]

We had a disaster with an "estate sale" company clearing out the in-laws place - they lowballed the prices, held it like a garage sale, and on the second day were taking 5-10¢ on the dollar. They estimated we'd "clear $5000, easy, probably double that" but we got less than a grand. Their excuse was they had other sales going on, and their "usual buyers" must have hit them instead... There was some other sleaseball tactics they pulled, but didn't find out until later.

What we got... was sold a bill of goods. We thought that was our only option, but didn't realize there were better options out there. After that, unless you have to clear a house right now and don't care about the money, I'd never go that route.

We have a local auction company that did a lot better, and still does (taking sweet aunt 'Rona into account) - they come in, do the photo work, have it advertised 2 weeks, then does an online auction for a week. Winners pay a premium on top of the price, IIRC they take 10% of the hammer as well, but I watch them consistantly hammer for fair (and rarely, over-retail) prices- winner picks up, and everything is up front and aboveboard - you can monitor the auction and see what you're getting.

There are also things like our classifieds here or on other boards... the one issue is you have to deal with shipping the stuff, and in the case of machinery that may be tough, but do-able. Especially somewhere like here, where the buyer will usually work with the seller to facilitate shipping or picking up...

Craigslist is a PITA - think of a garage sale, dealing with no shows and lowballers.
If you have nothing but time, then you can play that out, but it is definitely the "long game"...

Lots of options...

 

[PugetDude]

GJ Classifieds
NextDoor
FB Marketplace
Garage Sale
EBay
Craigslist
Auction
Estate Sale
Goodwill

^^In that order

 

[Thirdyfivepickup]

I would hate to have to go through his stuff after he passes and try and get a fair shake on it. I think part of him wanting to do this is just that reason... He knows the stuff and knows the value.

He missed out on a property he wanted because of the daunting task of trying to move all of his ****. His garage lower and upper level is packed. The basement in the house is packed. The upstairs isnt packed but there is still a lot of ****.

I don't think he's ready to go now but I think if he could be in a new place next Spring he would like that. I would love it.

 

[Thirdyfivepickup]

Some pics I found on my phone. The Columbian Vice is huge.

 

[danski0224]

Look through the myriad of threads here where someone is always complaining that the price listed/paid is almost always too high.

I wouldn't waste any time trying to sell something here.

The economy is in the crapper for many (jobless numbers), so those people won't be buying... and they may be trying to offload stuff. And it's only going to get worse once the evictions start.

Those that have the money to buy don't want to pay anything, because the "economy is in the crapper".

You will invest a LOT of time selling stuff off piecemeal. It will become a full time job.

I'd start with whatever you think is "worth something" and see how that goes.

Next, talk to your tax person about donating it and what kind of deduction (if any) is possible.

Then I'd make a pile of stuff for the scrapyard.

 

[driftpin]

GJ Classifieds
NextDoor
FB Marketplace
Garage Sale
EBay
Craigslist
Auction
Estate Sale
Goodwill

^^In that order

Shame on-you! You omitted Habitat for Humanity. No you're not getting any $ for it, except for whatever you take as a charitable donation if you can itemize your deductions. Still, HFH is a good place to donate. Better than Goodwill.

I would hate to have to go through his stuff after he passes and try and get a fair shake on it. I think part of him wanting to do this is just that reason... He knows the stuff and knows the value.

He missed out on a property he wanted because of the daunting task of trying to move all of his ****. His garage lower and upper level is packed. The basement in the house is packed. The upstairs isnt packed but there is still a lot of ****.

I don't think he's ready to go now but I think if he could be in a new place next Spring he would like that. I would love it.

Then it's time to sell the bigger stuff, which probably may have some value. Try selling in lots the smaller stuff, and scrap-sell what you can, if it's even-worth the effort; donate what they'll take, of what remains, and dumpster the rest.

If you sell the floor-model tools, and maybe yard-sale some, then donate and scrap, your remaining 'goods' may be easily introduced to the dumpster, with little angst for your father.

As a suggestion you might try contacting a local community college which has vocational arts classes. I'm old-enough to recall them being referred to as 'industrial arts' classes. Speak to the faculty, and you might find some good recommendations about being able to donate some things where you're helping someone to be able to learn a trade, or to have better tools than they have now. The ones in south Florida run by the local government are usually referred to as 'technical centers.'

Here's one by you:
https://phs.portage.k12.in.us/UserF.../Guidance/PCCTE 2019-2020 program booklet.pdf

Your local high school:
https://phs.portage.k12.in.us/guidance/course_descriptions/career_and_tech_ed

More:
https://pccte.org/programs/

 

[cstmg8]

Where is this located? May help with offers, or people looking. I for one am building a shop to fill right now. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Thirdyfivepickup]

Where is this located? May help with offers, or people looking. I for one am building a shop to fill right now. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

He's about 25mi south of Chicago. I dont think he's used his lathe in 20 years. The table and band saws get used a couple of times a year. He can move on from those huge machines and get smaller ones to fit his usage. He's already nabbed an older Craftsman band saw.

Thanks fellas it gives us a bunch of ideas to chew on. I'll try and get over there and take some more pictures.

 

[DadsTools]

Lots of good suggestions here. But I think there is one fundamental question you need to ask yourself:

Do you and your father want to go into the used tool business?

Because, if you try to piece this stuff out, that's exactly what you're going to be in. The only way you're going to get anywhere near what the market value is on these things is to go into the used tool business. jimindm Post #6 is presenting all the relevant issues involved. But even still, this fundamental question must be answered first.

Tools are only worth such-and-such a price if someone is willing to go through all the work to sell them. None of it is worth anything sitting in a garage. Folks sometimes overlook this kind of important real-world fact. There's a difference between potential value and actual value. A vein of silver in a mountain ain't worth squat until someone goes about the business of digging it out, hauling it, refining it, and so on. And the last step....selling.

I can't tell you how many times I walking past items at sales where they were just about giving it away, but because of some factor like large and heavy, was going to be a project, or too hard to find the right buyer, I walked right on by with no twinges of guilt at all, because I already knew I did not want to go through what was necessary to turn that object into cash.

What you're faced with is temporarily going into the used tool business. And all the ins and outs of that. I feel you have to answer that question first, then every subservient consideration will become much clearer for you. Once answered, it will bring a lot of confidence and peace of mind, one way or the other, knowing you did the right thing based on the circumstances. If you're not willing to go into the used tool business to mine the potential value, then the decision is easy--call an auction company who IS in the used tool business and let them have at it, and whatever you get for it, that's what you get, with no regrets and no issues of conscience.

 

[lardy1]

Remarkably, here in mid Michigan, we have been doing very well at our local (very well established) auction. They shut down during the statewide Covid thing and we thought it would be all over. They've been back up and running for about a month and we have been doing far better than ever.

 

[Davefr]

It's usually the case that around 20% of the content is worth 80% of the value. With that said, I'd do this:

1. List the larger machinery that has good value on CL, FB marketplace, Ebay local pick up etc.
2. For smaller shippable items with high value list on Ebay.
3. For everything else have a garage/estate sale
4. For what's left, donate it.

Price to sell and it'll clear out pretty quickly.

 

[Jazz1]

Classified since he’s fit and sharp he can slowly pedal stuff off. Got my torches off a 92 year old and he wouldn’t budge on price, they were ancient but top quality.

 

[PugetDude]

Shame on-you! You omitted Habitat for Humanity.

No HfH within 50 miles. I'd have to drive past 15 Goodwill Stores to the closest one...

Agree that would be a better choice, but not everyone lives near one..

 

[WisJim]

I'm going through the same thing, except getting rid of my own stuff as we are downsizing to move into a more accessible (to me with bad back and knees) house. Moving out of nearly 80 acres with half a dozen outbuildings including a 40 by 100 pole shed and 30 by 60 three story barn, all full of stuff a year or so ago, but gradually getting emptier. Covid is making it hard to have garage sales, uncertain economy has changed the market,, but I am still able to sell on eBay, Craigslist, etc., just not getting rid of small cheaper stuff until we can do garage sales again. And around here the big garage sale season is usually late May, which didn't happen this year.

 

[RTM]

I would hate to have to go through his stuff after he passes and try and get a fair shake on it. I think part of him wanting to do this is just that reason... He knows the stuff and knows the value.
it.

I was at one sale where the old gent really just wanted to talk. If you really got into his story about how he loved the tool, the things he used it for, his face lit up even more, and the price went down a little. Guys looking to buy to flip didn’t fair very well, but those who knew what they were buying, and what they were gonna do with it made the old guys day.

 

[homebuilt burner]

I have had the same questions. My father has a repair business and is 76. He has a large amount of high quality and specialized tools. I was a mechanic as well and really don’t need anything, but I also realize the value. A few years ago a mechanic passed away prematurely. The auction company had no idea what they were doing. I did not go but a friend did, he said at one point they held up a box with 5 different dial indicators and asked for a bid on “these pressure gauges” then sold them for $12.

I have thought if I had time to sell individually would be best, but as others have said the most work also.

 

[vssjim]

What I find back East were I am basic woodworking power tools and woodworking hand tools are very hard to sell for any money as were I live it's very heavy white collar. Things like the band saw and that table saw would be hard to get a 100.00 for both around here. The wood people around here seem to spend huge money on the german stuff. A friend of mine is still trying to sell floor model Craftsman wood power tools from the 60's and 70's in good shape from his father and grandfather trying sell as a package and gets almost zero interest.

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

It really is an insane amount of work to sell things individually in situations like this. Unless you are retired and want this to be your full time job, I would just expect to not get top dollar and unload it.

But try to sell the "best" stuff yourself that you think has a strong market and see how it goes. I just know when I have done this, eventually I get to the point where I just want it gone as it eats as much energy as a full time job. I had a lot of car parts that were worth decent money from some restoration projects, it took so long to move it I eventually just let it go cheap to a reseller and was glad I did.

One cruel thing you learn later in life is often times your prized possessions aren't really worth that much.

 

[My Old Tools]

That 20" Delta bandsaw is an $800 machine most places. $600 on a bad day. With the fence a few blades you might push $1000 to the right guy. The Kennedy toolbox should go well. Craftsman stuff has a following for some people. If you don't get in a big hurry, you should be able to move good tools that close to Chicago. I've driven much further for a tool I wanted.

 

[Thirdyfivepickup]

The thing about Dad is he would deal with a guy who was going to use it and not flip for a buck. He's 80 but very active. He's busy pretty much every day doing odd jobs for friends or riding his bike. (he will put 1000-1500 miles a summer on it pedaling away)

I don't see him having the time or patience for piecing this all out. I really need to get over there and see what he has and see what he's wanting to let go.

Again, thank you to all who have replied.

 

[turbodave]

I would look to see if you have any local auction houses that do online listings. We have one locally (Northeastern IL) and while the prices can be hit or miss most tools and stuff seem to bring ok money.

obenaufauctionsonline.com is our local place if you wanted to look and see what some similar stuff is selling for.

 

[Thirdyfivepickup]

I would look to see if you have any local auction houses that do online listings. We have one locally (Northeastern IL) and while the prices can be hit or miss most tools and stuff seem to bring ok money.

obenaufauctionsonline.com is our local place if you wanted to look and see what some similar stuff is selling for.

Kraft Auctions is the one that did my mother in laws stuff. I have been watching and tools seem to bring a fair dollar. (always more than I'm willing to pay anyways lol) I'll be seeing Dad tonight so I'll talk a little more on this.

 

[CJ7VFR]

...One cruel thing you learn later in life is often times your prized possessions aren't really worth that much.

Yes, 100 percent yes.

My dad passed away in November of 2018, and he had all kinds of power tools, hand tools, and just about every tool imaginable that you would need to build a house.

I contacted an estate sale person and he came out and gave me prices on everything in the house as most of the items were old and antiques. He gave me auction prices and the price that someone might try to sell them for in an antique shop.

Then he told me two of the truest things anyone has ever told me. He said number one is that most of the value of my dads estate was going to come from the sale of the house, not the stuff.

And he said that most of the stuff will probably not sell for very much because most of the people who bought antiques are older now and have antiques of their own to get rid of and they are no longer in the market for them. He said most younger people don't fix things and normally hire someone to do things for them. He said not all, but most.

Then he said that I had to look at what the cost would be for me to rent a storage unit to put all my dads stuff in, plus all the work I would have to do to move the items into it and then try to sell the stuff. He said renting a storage unit for a year would cost me easily $1000 a year (here in NJ) and that I might not get that much for all the items, if I could even sell them all.

Then he said you will have to pay someone to get rid of the items that are left over, and that could cost you another $500 to $1000 depending on the size of the dumpster or truck I would have to rent.

I tried giving things away, but no one wanted any of it. I took a ton of pictures and posted the stuff on some websites, but I only received a handful of replies, most of which were from scammers in china. So in the end we got a 30 yard dumpster and loaded it up ourselves, with 90 percent of the things in my dads house going in there. I kept some tools I wanted, and I had my family come over and take what things they wanted before we loaded up the dumpster.

I still have a lot of the smaller hand tools, 15 Cuckoo clocks, and some electrical and plumbing items I have to get rid of. They are taking up space in my garage and basement, and after over a year and half I want them out.

I put them up from time to time on Nextdoor when I feel like taking pictures and posting an ad, but most of the things go unsold for weeks, even months, so I end up tossing them out. I even put the stuff up here on GJ in the classified section, but I never received one reply for anything. It breaks my heart to see my dads old tools getting tossed away, but I can't keep them forever, and I have no need for them, and no one seems to want them.

So the guy was right. Things you think are valuable are only valuable to you. The rest of the world may think the items are cool, but they don't actually want to pay any money for them.

Jim

 

[engineer2]

I was working from home for a while which made selling extra stuff easier. A few things I learned. There seems to be good demand for tools.

Facebook Marketplace got the most responses, but a lot of customers go silent.
CL was marginal at best.
Nextdoor was OK for household goods and weekend-warrior type tools. If you try to put a lathe on Nextdoor, you'll have several neighbors messaging you with advice.
Spend some time cleaning it up and take great pictures with good lighting to get the best price. Clean the rust off.
People like it if you include the manual and parts list.
You have to push people a little bit with "When can you come out and see it?"
Never give your address until they commit to a time to come out.
Lots of buyers want to come out during the daytime M-F.
Amazing how many people will come from 40 miles away for a $25 item.

 

[dffay]

Donation possibilities are endless: Boy/Girl Scouts, churches that do missionary on-site improvements and Peace Corp that travel, fix stuff, then abandon on location so the third world residents can continue on themselves. Tax break for you and your dad’s stuff lives on in his legacy.

 

[engineer2]

Tax break for you

Not anymore unless your deductions go over $24,000.

 

[Davefr]

Not anymore unless your deductions go over $24,000.

... and with a cap of $10k for state and local tax deductions