My Mother recently passed, leaving behind a mix of Antique and Mid Century Modern Furniture, Art…read morework, Fine Silver and antiques, etc. Living in California made it all the harder to to close out a modestly large estate especially with limited time. I did my research and narrowed it down to 3 Auction/Estate Co's. One never responded, one acted like they were the oldest around and would get around to me... the 3rd was Stefek's. The were appropriately aggressive in following up and providing me the background information I needed. Their rates too were fair and competitive. They also were capable in providing clean out and cleaning services making additional trips from Los Angeles unnecessary.
Their lead appraiser was on time to do the basic Estate "Market Value" appraisal. While conservative in assessing values, the manner in which she we went form room to room , drawer to drawer, and closet to closet was methodical, professional , thorough and all "business". In listening to her dictate her description of each and every item, I knew in 5 minutes I was dealing with someone very knowledgeable and professional. The following Estate Report was detailed and delivered on time.
We hired them to pick up the items to be auctioned (Association rules forbade an on-site one or Sale), together with allowing their Team to also pick up those items more appropriate for the Salvation Army ( which Stefek's delivered for us too) and had their cleanup crew go in to clean the Apartment so we could deliver the Townhouse in as good a State as possible. Their Delivery and cleanup charges were reasonable, fair and competitive. The landlord was impressed and we are getting 100% of our security deposit returned. At all time, their crews were on time and on schedule.
The Auction itself through the Live Auctioneers system was impressive to watch, returning a total in excess of what had been estimated. While I still await the final reconciliation, so far my records track theirs perfectly and everything seems to be accounted for. Their professionalism, punctuality and exactness is rare these days. I am truly happy I chose them ( I do not have unrealistic expectations as to values, and where I thought some items might be more valuable, my further research proved I was wrong).
While everyone may have different expectations and standards as to values and the more important overall service to be be provided, I am an optimistic realist.
Stefek's provided exactly what I needed and I am very happy I chose them.
That is not to say they are 100% perfect, and no one is. Some times their response time to my emails is not as immediate and I might like. There, I may be unrealistic in my expectations, and that one issue is hardly a deal killer ! I will post again once the final reconciliation is received. But at this point, I am very happy with them and happy to be a reference at any time.
Given what they do, Estate Sales involving items that can be worth a lot money. There must be a level of trust assumed from the beginning. In that regard too, I found them to be honest and forthright. I hope your experience is/was as good as mine.
