USCA Best in Portland Award
Peerless Estate Sales Receives 2009 Best of Portland Award
U.S. Commerce Associations Award Plaque Honors the Achievement
WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 -- Peerless Estate Sales has been selected for the 2009 Best of Portland Award in the Used Merchandise Stores category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).
The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.
About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)
U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.
SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association
CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@us-ca.org
URL: http://www.us-ca.org
The Oregonian, Shedding Stuff
Two women find creative ways to clear out an excess of possessions.
Sandi Morey and Ruth Hayward shared a common problem: They had accumulated a lot of stuff and wanted to get rid of it.
The two women don't know each other, are in different life situations and used different methods--one high-tech and one low-tech--to solve their problem.
They demonstrate how creative thinking can help you clear out junk, make some money and save space in the landfill.
At 93, Hayward decided to move from her home of 36 years to a retirement community. She had not only her own belongings, but also those of her late husband, who had lived to 102, and her mother, who had lived to 100.
"Both had accumulated too much stuff," Haward says.
She called PEERLESS Estate Sales to help her downsize.
Because Hayward lived in an apartment, PEERLESS couldn't hold an estate sale in her home, says Gary Newton, Marketing Manager for PEERLESS.
Instead, he determined what to sell on consignment, through other estate sales, and on eBay.
"PEERLESS made it so easy," Hayward says. The company charged a 40 percent commission, and the total sales came to about $1,700. "They knew what they could and couldn't sell," Hayward says.
Over a couple of years, Hayward says, she continued receiving checks from PEERLESS for everything from her antique silver-plate coffee urn ($385) to a world atlas ($5) and costume jewelry ($25).
...
Freelance writer Lori Mendoza
CHOICE 2007-2008 Directory, Here's the Magic Wand You've Been Looking For
You may be considering moving from a large house which no longer accommodates your life style. Condominium and retirement living relieves so many responsibilities, but you may not be able to spread out in your new, more efficient space, like you’re used to.
When there isn’t room for everything you have, many people aren’t aware that there are professional service companies and contractors who are in the can’t-take-it-with-you business! You’re sure to know about the moving and storage companies, but did you know you can get help sorting through your things, deciding what to keep, and then packing all of those boxes too?
It’s a blessing when people can live in the comfort of their family home for most of their lives, and many consider it an equal gift to be relieved of the responsibilities of upkeep, maintenance and unnecessary space of a large house. But golly, how we sure can fill up those big houses! Is every closet full? The attic and basement sure made for good storage too! And If you’re like many people, you might not have been able to park the car in your own garage for years!
We understand what an important decision it is to downsize, and invite you to consider making companies like PEERLESS Estate Sales and Heidee’s Help part of your move-in and move-out plan.
You’ll have a new home—No more basement… no more attic! Deciding what to keep, what will fit in your new design, plus coordinating disposition of personal items during the sale of your former home could be exhausting—but it doesn’t have to be. An independent contractor such as Heidee’s help can be there for you when it’s time to pack. Not only can she reach those boxes tucked away for years in the back shelves of a closet, but be familiar with your new home –the space and services available– to offer advice and guidance on what your new needs may be. Measure furniture, sort through clothing, safely dispose of personal papers or old financial records, and help to safely pack family treasures and memorabilia you can enjoy for years to come. Her experience helping others facing similar circumstances can prove invaluable as she keeps you focused on your goals: Moving out on time, and whether or not to
“keep it, or sell it?”
Packing and moving will be enough of a challenge! The added responsibility of selling other belongings, cleaning a home, and preparing the property itself for sale would feel nearly overwhelming. The last thing you’ll have time or energy to do is dispose of the leftover furniture, house wares, tools, clothing, collectibles and knick-knacks yourself. If you’re not able to take everything, or just don’t want to pack lots of stuff you’ll never need again, give yourself a break – plan on having it all sold after you’ve moved and your old home will be left empty and clean by a team of professional on-site liquidators from one of the many local service providers.
Remember:
Moving companies charge by weight!
Storage units want a check from you every month!
Not only will you make money from the sale of unnecessary property, but you’ll also save the packing and shipping costs. Estate and Moving sale companies can handle all of the last details after you’ve moved. Leaving something behind to be sold at a moving sale is not the same as giving it away or throwing it out! If you have a professional management company conduct a sale for you, you’ll have comfort and confidence those pieces are being handled responsibly. A company like PEERLESS Estate Sales markets literally thousands of pieces a week – finding new homes for your things in exchange for a reasonable selling price with the training, experience, and enthusiasm to do it right!
Your Sale Coordinator will ask that you don’t throw anything out. They’ll ask you not to clean.
Is having a moving sale starting to sound like a good idea?
Moving sales are typically held on the weekend after you have moved out. At the end of the sale, the property can be left empty and clean, or “move-in ready” for occupancy—and not only will someone else have done ALL of the work, you’ll receive a handsome check in the mail at your new home within days! In most cases, more than enough to cover all of your moving expenses.
It all boils down to semantics, really. Estate Sale, Moving Sale, Downsizing Sale – it’s all the same to the people at PEERLESS and their long list of regular buyers. The term “estate sale” most commonly brings to mind that someone has passed away, when in reality,
“most of our events are living estates or moving sales, and the actual owners of the pieces we handle get to enjoy the financial benefits from the sale.”
Gary Newton, Marketing Manager, PEERLESS Estate Sales
The biggest difference between a moving situation and true estate liquidation is the timeline – you know when you’re moving! You have the advance notice you need to make a moving sale part of the plan at the beginning of the process rather than adding last-minute chaos.
Professional fees for a contractor such as Heidee’s Help are likely to be by the hour, or perhaps a flat fee for the project. You’re sure to find it a very good investment! Your Moving Sale, however, shouldn’t require any payment from you at all. Most Estate and Moving sale companies work on commission from sales and write you the check!
Asking for help during your move is just one more smart decision you can make. It will mean a comprehensive solution and peace of mind.
Moving can be as simple as it should be.
-CHOICE Advisory Services 2007-2008 Directory
Portland Tribune, Sept 2-3, SE Portland:
A volunteer pricing team from local estate liquidator PEERLESS Estate Sales will be helping the Portland Mennonite Church raise money this Friday and Saturday for a necessary remodeling project to meet the demands of their growing membership.
“The project is rightly named our Window to the Future,” says Church Counsel member, Tim Steiner. “The generosity of our members and friends who have donated merchandise to the sale along with the experts at PEERLESS who help us price it all appropriately will get us so much closer to our goal.”
“With gas prices approaching $3.00 per gallon, the nickel and dime days—-even at church rummage sales-—have to be over!” says PEERLESS Marketing Manager, Gary Newton. “Shoppers will still find great bargains, but we’re happy to donate our time to help the sale be as successful as possible. If we can identify just one item properly, it could make the difference between the church affording a whole palette of shingles, instead of just one bundle.”
Sale located at 1312 SE 35th Ave. Open 10:00am-3:00pm
The Oregonian, Estate Sales Heat Up with Housing Market
By Miriam Gottfried
THE OREGONIAN
"Donna Kloster thinks estate sales have a bad rap. They're not only held to sell the possessions of people who have died -- in fact, she's swamped these days with business from elderly retirees eager to take advantage of the white-hot real estate market.
'I used to be able to book all sales in advance,' she said. 'Now people call me when their house goes on the market, and it's sold a few days later. They call back and say when can you do the sale? How about next week?'
She can do only one sale a week, she said, so she's had to turn customers away."
How much each sale generates:
$5,000 to $6,000 on average, but as much as $20,000 in some cases.
(PEERLESS has managed household liquidation events with record-breaking gross sales in the $45,000 - $80,000 range)
How many sales she does:
about 35 annually for the past three years. On pace for more this year.
(PEERLESS managed 50 in-home sales in 2004, 72 in 2005, and with the ability of managing up to 4 sales per week 100+ projected for 2006)
Quote:
"Some people expect to make a lot more than they can realistically get for their possessions, so you have to make sure they understand what the market is like." - Donna Kloster
News Channel 8, WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF ESTATE SALES
It was Friday before Memorial Day -- the kick-off sale to the 2005 summer shopping season!
Not only were we hurrying to get this enormous home in Dunthorpe ready for our customers -- with only 2 hours notice, we were preparing to be on the evening news too! News Channel 8's Business Journal reporter, Joe Smith was a perfect gentleman - what a pleasure to have him visit. He and his cameramen did what they had to do while we got ready -- setting shots, testing camera angles, and collecting details to produce a very comprehensive overview of what our team and our customers experience every week!
Click on the link to watch the complete story and see some of the PEERLESS Staff and our customers at work.
....and View Video
Willamette Week, Early TOM CRAMER TOTEMS to be Sold
March 4-6, SW Portland: A dozen hand-carved and painted miniature totems by popular Portland artist, Tom Cramer, will be sold as part of an estate liquidation event from a private home in the west hills this weekend. “Tom Cramer wants to give the world a new reality, through carved wood.” -Willamette Week, Lisa Lambert, Pulliam Deffenbaugh, May 8-15th
With newer pieces currently featured at the Mark Woolley Gallery and the Portland Art Museum, these early abstract totems plus many other works on canvas appealing to modern, abstract, and pop culture collectors and designers will first be available and represented by local estate broker, PEERLESS Estate Sales beginning this Friday at noon.
In a liquidation event, every piece must be sold and a closed bidding system will be in place. The location of the sale is private, and will be released Thursday evening at 6:00 pm at the company’s website. PEERLESS Estate Sales is a professional project management company based in Portland specializing in estate, downsizing, and moving sales.
www.PeerlessPlace.com
GARY NEWTON, Marketing Manager
gary@peerlessplace.com
(503) 233.4651