It Pays To Be Organized!

Whether it's holding an Estate Sale or listing items on Craigslist and eBay, I am always selling something online for my clients. It is fun for me and I love that it puts money back into their pockets. Below are a few of the items I have sold over the last few weeks.  I never know what type of items I will be selling and how much they will sell for, the online market changes all of the time.   If you know someone who needs to get organized and wants to make some money off the unwanted stuff around their house, send them to www.kuzakscloset.com.

Victorian Settee, $500 at an Estate Sale

Edison Record Player, $500 at an Estate Sale

Armoire, $250 on Craigslist

Momeni Rug, $200 on Craigslist

Royal Dalton Under the Greenwood Tree Robin Hood Platter, $149.99 on eBay

Tiffany & Co. Plate, $49.99 on eBay

Convertible Futon, $100 on Craigslist

Antique Baby Cradle, $80 on Craigslist

Set of 4 Wireless PS3 Controllers, $79.99 on eBay

Armani Sweatshirt, $39.99 on eBay

Gift Mark Kids Rocker, $20 on Craigslist

Types of Customers at Estate Sales

I love the variety of people that I meet at my estate sales.  There are all types; the dealers, the nosy neighbors, the collectors, the lingerers, and the jerks.  Over the weekend I experienced them all and for those of you who are not familiar with each type I thought I would create a little educational digest.  Enjoy and please let me know what type of buyer you are!


The Dealer:  These types of buyers show up hours early to a sale.  They always pretend that they are not dealers but they can't hide from me!  Usually one quick look at their car when they load up their purchases reveals it because it is typically still filled up from a previous sale.  Some dealers are nice and some are not. The typically work in teams, and take turns standing by their pile of goodies while the other one shops.  The are experts at packing their cars and from time to time they can assist in creating a sale by oohing and aaahing over items.

At the sale over the weekend I had a couple that arrived bright and early, they were eager to help us set up the sale because they wanted to get a peak at the treasures.  Since I wasn't born yesterday this doesn't work on me.  If they are nice to me I will open the sale early, if not I make them wait outside.  This couple was really nice and pleasant to deal with so I opened it up early.  The power shopped for 45 minutes and ended up spending over $700 on 2 car loads of little items.

(Via)

The Lingerer:  This type of buyer could stay all day if you let them.  They usually show up later in the afternoon and shop for several items.  They like to negotiate the prices as they shop and pay as they go.  I don't understand this method because it is hard for them to keep track of how much they have spent.

At the sale over the weekend there was a woman who arrived on the second day around noon and she left at 4pm.  If the price tag said $40 she would offer $5 which I wouldn't take.  I did end up selling her several items over the course of her visit and she probably ended up spending $80-$100 over time.  This is the type of buyer that my husband can't stand.  If they are nice to me I can tolerate them but sometimes I have to ignore them so they leave.

(Via)

The Nosy Neighbor:  This type of buyer comes to snoop at what is available, sometimes they call their friends and other neighbors from the sale on their cell phones to gossip about what is being sold.  They usually don't appreciate antiques and are loud and obnoxious.

At the sale over the weekend there was a neighbor who drove all of us nuts, even my client.  She picked up everything and asked "what is this? how does this work?"  for about 2 hours.  She ended up buying an antique cherry picker and when she cashed out she asked me what is was and how much is was.  I had it priced at $15 so I told her it was a cherry picker and that it was $15.  She looked at me and said, "this is $15, it looks like a piece of junk!"  I responded by tell her that it wasn't junk, that is was a neat collectible and that someone who came to my sale who remembered picking cherries with her Grandma with a similar item would be thrilled to find it.  She looked at me with the strangest look and ended up trying to get it for $10, I said I was firm on the price and then she handed me a crisp $100 bill and asked for change.  So annoying!  

(Via)

The Jerk:  This type of buyer thinks that they can win me over with their less than friendly personality.  They put together a pile and they want to know the price, I always add up the price tags and then give them their total and they start to yell at me saying that I am ripping them off.  Sometimes I kick them out of the sale and other time, depending on what they buy I will cut them a deal just so that I can get rid of them.

At the sale over the weekend a big jerk shopped both days, he yelled at me about all of the prices and I couldn't stand him.  He didn't speak English very well so it was hard to negotiate but in the end I cut him a deal to get rid of him.  He ended up buying several items that were missing parts and were not in working condition.  I hate this type of buyer.

(Via)

The Collector:  This type of buyer is usually eclectic and probably drives a vintage car.  They also arrive to the sale early and the suspense over what is inside the sale kills them.  They love the hunt and often only purchase one or two things.

At the sale over the weekend there was a man in his mid 50s, he was the first to arrive and drove up in a vintage mustang.  He was wearing bell bottoms and had his hair slicked back.  He shopped for over an hour and ended up purchasing one item, an old Buick light bulb.  

(Via)

The Young Collector:  This type of buyer will either contact you before the sale starts looking for particular items or they casually show up on the second day.  They are always nice and fun to work with.  In most cases that I have experienced they are male and they enjoy shopping for old tools, guns, and books.

At the sale over the weekend I had both types, an early bird collector and a casual young collector.  The early bird was looking for tools and I let him come for a preview, he looked around the sale for 2 hours and ended up purchasing a few tools, an old medical lamp, and some maps.  The casual collector arrived on day two with his friend, he shopped for a while and chatted with me and my crew.  He ended up purchasing an antique gun case and 2 steamer trunks (I cut him a deal, buy one get one free).  

(Via)

My Estate Sale Find and Some Highlights...

The estate sale was a huge success, on Friday we had a line up starting at 7:30 and ended up opening the doors early at 8:30am.  People were running around like crazy, claiming their items and creating piles by the cashier table.   By 10am the garage where the sale was taking place looked empty!  As the crowds thinned out I  finally had a chance to rearrange the merchandise, pull treasures out from under the tables, and create new displays which made it feel full again.  Some of the customers came back 2 and 3 times on Friday to keep shopping!

On Friday night a huge storm swept through the area, the wind was blowing and the rain was really coming down.  At 9pm on Friday night Chris and I headed up to the estate to check on the tents and they had blown away and were wrapped around some trees (I am returning them today and I really hope I don't have to pay for any damage).  Saturday morning we arrived bright and early to haul things out of the barn and the garage, dry things off, and work on displaying the remaining items.  The crowds started showing up around 8:15am and we opened early at 8:30am.  The morning was slow which I think was due to the rain but the afternoon picked up, I told more items in the last hour of the sale than I did all day.  I was hoping to have a chance to take photos of the sale and document it for you but I never seemed to have a free minute.  Someone was always yelling "Amanda", asking for a price or wanting to wheel and deal.  I met some really really neat people and had the chance to see some of my repeat customers for prior sales or Craigslist deals.

The one treasure that I brought home from the sale was this neat vintage print of the bathhouses in San Francisco.  Someone mounted it on foam board and I think I am going to frame it and put it above our sofa in the living room.

Isn't it neat?  I love the colors and the details!  

I had 2 of my assistants working at the sale and they loaded buyers cars and even delivered large pieces to buyers in the neighborhood.   When I looked around the sale yesterday I couldn't believe how many large items are still left!  I still have a few dressers, the four poster bed, and lots of trunks and cabinets to sell.  I only have 1 sleigh left though which is exciting!  The biggest highlight for me was watching these pretty sleighs drive away with their buyers.  I have been trying to sell them since March of 2011 so I was excited and relieved to see them go.  I guess if I can sell sleighs in California I can sell anything!

My client watched the sale from the kitchen window and from time to time she would come outside and talk to the customers.  It was really neat to watch her tell stories about the house and the items to all of the people at the sale.  She and her late husband bought the house, known as The Castle, back in 1968, they raised their 6 kids in the home and she just sold it last month.  She is excited to downsize and move into her new home but sad at the same time to say goodbye to this house and all of her memories there.

With all of the items left for sale my client and I have decided to have one final sale on Saturday February 4th.  This weekend's sale really motivated her to keep sorting through things in the house that she thought she wanted to keep so we are going to work over the next few weeks to keep thinning things out.  The sale brought in over $10,000 in profits for her and I think that I can sell $2,000-$5,000 more.

Estate Sale at The Castle...

I can hardly contain my excitment for this weekend's estate sale at The Castle in Los Altos, a home that was filled with over 10,000 square feet of antiques and treasures.

The sale is this Friday and Saturday (1/20/12 & 1/21/12) from 9am-3pm at 1504 Country Club Drive in Los Altos California.  The sale will be held in the rear of the house in the large garage and barn, since it might rain I also have 2 tents full of goodies!  Don't you just love the daybed in the bottom photo, if it doesn't sell I am definitely going to buy it for myself!

I hope to have a large turnout, there are so many great items available and I don't want anything left over.  Please come out and take a look, I would love to see you!

Emails to a Professional Organizer...

Have you ever wanted to contact a professional organizer but don't know what to say?  Well, I thought it would be fun to share some of the recent notes that have appeared in my inbox from clients who are struggling with organization...




My boyfriend saves absolutely everything! We just merged two households. YIKES! I need help. We look like all your worst befores!  
 -Samantha


It is 12:28 am and my husband and I just spent 15-20 mins looking for our daughter's school picture packet we received a couple of weeks ago. Our house is normally chaotic - but we decided that we wanted to de-clutter and have a garage sale. Needless to say this backfired, because although we sold a lot of things, we didn't make a dent on our "inventory". To make matters worse, the bins and THINGS that were normally in the garage are now scattered all over the house. I give up and would actually like to reach out to a professional to help get our house enjoyable for our family.  
 -Meg


Dear Amanda, I've been a clutterer all of my life and want to change. I think you might be the person for me to work with so that I get out from under this burden. Please give me a call so we can talk. 

 -Paula


Boy do I need you!  What are your hourly rates?  How about your other team members?  Do you have any availability in the next couple of weeks? 

 -Julie


I am wondering if you would be willing to help my Aunt, who lives in the Bay area ( San Leandro). I would classify her as a hoarder. She has collected so many things and can barely move in her home. She recognizes it is a problem and does want to get organized. I am actually out here for a few days trying to help, but feel like I am barely helping her put a dent in it. How would we go about making a consultation appt. with you? 

 -Heather


Just wanted to tell you how inspiring and helpful your website (which I only recently discovered) has been in my attempt to be and stay organized. I've really used a lot of your ideas. If we didn't live on opposite sides of the country I would definitely hire you! 

 -Joy


Hi, I need help organizing my home. I seem to have done as much as I can on my own, but I still have piles here and there, and clutter. I have a 3 three bedroom, 2 bath home.  I'm a single Dad with two girls, 6 and 9, that share time between me and their mother. I'm interested to know more about your services. 

 -Jeff


I googled and found you on Yelp.  I browsed your website and read some of your blog.  I need help in organizing many parts of our household and most importantly my heart strings were tugged by the emergency kit sections.  That has been on my list for a long time. 

 -Thelma


Hi - we just recently moved to Palo Alto from Boston.  5 of us lived in a very small 2 bedroom apt and moved into a 3 bedroom house.  I am completely overwhelmed with unpacking and organizing to best make use of the new space.  I want to set up a play room in our garage as we have 3 children - ages 8, 5, and 2.  My husband is now working 7 days a week from 6 am until 11pm so he is not around to help.  We have always lived in clutter, strange as it my sound - organized clutter, but it is time we get out of it!  I am need of help and don't know where to start.  I would love to speak with you regarding your services.  I look forward to hearing from you to get my home and life under control!  

 -Eva


I'm looking for someone who can help my husband organize his mancave. This is a birthday present. The mancave (separate one room cottage in the backyard) is very cluttered and try as he might, he can't organize his stuff. Also, he's very sensitive about it and I can't help him. Lots of musical instruments, electrical cords, books, records (vinyl AND paper), boxes, etc... you get the picture.  

 -Debbie


I am looking to have a professional organizer help my wife get rid of some of her wardrobe clutter as a birthday present. Found you online and would love to get some information about your availability in the next week or so.  

 -Nick


Hi, When my mother in law passed away, she left tons of porcelain. Figurines, dishes, all sorts of stuff. I know some of it might be valuable, and some of it is just "pretty glass". I am looking for help in selling what I can but I don't know which pieces are worthwhile and I don't have the time to monitor it on ebay or craig's list (or wherever). There are pieces of furniture, too. Is this something you are interested in doing? 

 -Patti


Where do you live? I live in Southwester Louisiana about 45 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and 45 miles from the Texas state line. Do you recommend anyone in my area or will you come? HaHa! I love the makeovers! My mother died and I stuff in boxes that were hers. I have had to retire and I have many boxes of my things already at home, not to mention the ones that I have to go and get - I am retiring after 33 years of teaching with the last 6 being in the library. I brought and bought tons of stuff to decorate with and that has to come home - or be sold! Any suggestions would be helpful. One hopeful point - I just finished filing all my bills and records from the first of this year yesterday. (I had knee replacement surgery last Sept., then that led to a broken foot that finally had to have surgery on it, and then lastly a pinched nerve in my back from wearing the boot to immobilize my foot. 

 -Murphy


I have a garage problem. It's been driving me crazy for years. And it's a bit of a wedge between me and my husband. He has a home business, which makes going through everything harder for me to do, because a lot of it is his stuff. But it's not organized and he's a bit defensive about anything I say regarding the garage... I would like my garage back, even if I don't get to park in it. I just want to be able to walk in it and find what I need. 

 -Kathy


I left you a voicemail message... HELP! My papers and some "things" have been in disarray for years. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. 

 -Carolyn

More Treasures

Yesterday Chris and I were able to make a lot of progress over at the estate, we rearranged tables and priced 1/3 of the items.  I had 2 buyers come for a preview of the items and made a few sales (don't worry, there is still a lot left to sell!), I hope to have more buyers interested in shopping early so I can make more room in the large garage and barn just in case it does rain this weekend.

I promised you yesterday that I would share more photos of the available items, I wish I would have taken more photos but here is a glimpse...

Lately...

I am in the midst of preparing for a huge estate sale, last week I spent several days digging treasures out of my client's attic, basement, garage, and barn for the sale.  There have been so many cool things to look at and research so far.  Growing up I can remember going to estate sales with my Grandpa Orr and visiting him in his workshop to see what treasures he dragged home from the dump to fix up.  I think he really helped me create an interest in all things old/special/collectible.  I typically have a rule that I can't buy anything from my estate sales but I think I will have to make an exception at this one!  These are some of my favorite treasures so far...

This little Edison record player is darling...

I can't get enough of these antique trunks, there are 8 in this photo and another 3 in the garage. 

 I also love the vintage red and white bicycle trailer...

Gotta love this cherry 4-poster bed!

I worked with my 4 man grew for two days and then I had another day with my client and one assistant. My client wasn't sure that we would need a dumpster but I talked her into ordering a 16 footer and much to her surprise it was filled in just a few hours with termite and spider eaten boxes and water damaged furniture from the basement and attic.  Some of the boxes appeared to be moving because of all of the termites!

To create more room in the dumpster I broke down a junky piece of furniture with a hammer and jumped on the top of it to push down the pile.  I posted this picture of me in action on Facebook last week and my mom called and told me that I was being too risky, I could break my leg if I continued to jump in dumpsters.  Ha!  I think breaking my leg is the least of my worries!  There was something very satisfying about jumping on all of that junk!

Here is a picture of the estate, the house spans 8,000 square feet, plus there is a large basement and attic, a barn, and a 6 car garage! The sale is this Friday and Saturday from 9am to 3pm so stop by and see me, the address is 1504 Country Club Drive in Los Altos!

On Friday I took a break from the estate and worked with a client on her home office.  We were able to sort through all of her paperwork, update her filing system, and create a storage system for her office/school supplies with items she already had.  We turned her desk from this...

Before

to this...

After

And the corner of her office from this...

Before

to this...

After

On Saturday I worked with another fantastic client on her master bedroom, bathroom, and laundry room.  We rearranged the bedroom furniture and unpacked boxes of health and beauty products and cleaning supplies from their not-so-recent move.  This client is so fun to work with, she always has goals set for our sessions and works hard to take advantage of the hours she has scheduled with me.  She was so relived to have everything unpacked and a system in place.  This is what her everyday makeup drawer looks like now, we lined the drawer with black and white shelf liner (I know it seems like I use this pattern all of the time, I swear I have other colors and designs in my bag of tricks), then we organized her beauty supplies into the little containers that she already had.  

This week is going to be pretty eventful, I am going to be working at the estate most of the week pricing and researching the items.  I am praying that the weather report changes and the rain hits after the sale instead of during the sale, if not it looks like I am going to have to go shopping for a few tents! Chris has the day off today so he is going to work with me, hopefully we can get as many items tucked into the garage for the sale so the rain isn't as big of an issue, fun fun!  I am hoping to share more photos of the estate treasures tomorrow so stay tuned!