Everything But The House, an online personal property and estate sale provider, has taken the age-old tag sale business and transformed it into an easily accessible online market for buyers and consignors.
For those who delight in discovering hidden gems, the site offers a breadth of product where bidders can shop from the more than 20 sales that occur each month on its site. For the seller, it offers a solution to selling everything – from antiques to artwork, furniture to collectibles – quickly, easily and profitably.
“In a sense, we’ve opened the doors to an otherwise tough-to-reach estate sale to anyone with access to the Internet,” says Jeff Inglis, EBTH’s general manager and a Southport resident.
“You no longer need to drive 30 to 90 minutes just for the opportunity of finding something you may like at an unknown price. Instead, spend a couple minutes choosing from an ever-changing collection of high-end furniture, fine jewelry, rare sports collectibles or artwork, in which every item you see starts at $1.”
More tech savvy than a consignment shop and traditional estate sale, EBTH’s online sales platform allows buyers to participate in local auctions from anywhere in the world. With more than 38,000 registered bidders across the United States and internationally, its audience ranges from a homeowner in need of a few household items like a couch or dining-room table to a variety of collectors and art dealers looking for rare artwork or unique collectibles. Sales occur over a seven-day period, and an in-person sale preview is offered during that time that gives local interested buyers the opportunity to see every item in person. Each and every bid starts at $1.
This is done to attract as many potential buyers as possible and to drive up the price ultimately. As the sale progresses and prices rise, bidders become attached to an item and often end up spending more than what a “buy it now” price would generate.
EBTH prides itself on providing sellers with a better alternative for selling their personal property and the best bottom line. Its unique business model has served the company well since opening its “virtual doors” in 2008 in Cincinnati where founders Jacquie Denny and Brian Graves posted their first estate sale online. Today, the company has expanded its business to other communities across the country, including Fairfield and Westchester counties.
“Our clients come to us in various circumstances, but in general, they have a need to sell the contents of their home in a relatively short period of time. They understand the significant advantages online selling provides versus a traditional estate sale,” say EBTH sales consultant Lynn Dolan.
The process for the homeowner, she says, is very easy and transparent.
“We have a professional team that will photograph and catalog all of the items you choose to sell within your home. We then create a targeted marketing and advertising campaign to ensure your sale receives maximum exposure. The sale goes live for seven days with an option of a preview, and then once the sale ends, we arrange to have all of your items picked up or shipped out within three days. All you have to do is sit back and experience the peace of mind that our service provides you the best opportunity to receive the most value for your items.”
Riverside resident Julie Rubich says about her experience selling items on the site, “The process requires that you have these coordinators, whom you’ve never met, in your home over the course of several days photographing your personal belongings. It has the makings of an uncomfortable couple of days, but to tell you the truth, we had a lot of fun.”
She adds, “As a seller, you can be as involved or detached as you want from the process. I think for best results, it’s important to be involved with the coordinators and be as informative and descriptive about your items as possible to maximize the interest in your sale. Know where it was purchased. Tell a story about it. What I found was that the furniture and accessories from recognizable retailers and manufacturers did the best. I think people trust the outcome of buying something on the Internet from Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn.”
For those considering selling their items at a consignment shop, one must first take heed of how many items a consignment shop is willing to sell, says EBTH sales consultant Stephanie Inglis. Consignment stores are very selective and, in most cases, she says, will take only one or two items.
“And how many potential customers will they be seen by?
“Another thing many people don’t realize is that in order for consignment shops to make the most money, their inventory needs to be at or near maximum capacity. So where are they going to place your item in the store? Is it showcased in the front or is it located towards the back of the store collecting dust?”
For many, EBTH has already proven itself.
“If you’re wondering what to do with the wedding gifts that have never been used – you know, the ones you didn’t register for but got anyway – this is the perfect platform,” Rubich says. “There are buyers out there for almost anything.”
For more about EBTH, visit ebth.com or call Jeff Inglis at (203) 517-6441.
