Frequently Asked Questions – Emporia Kansas Estate Liquidation Services
Q: How does the liquidation process work?
A: The first step is to complete our Liquidation Request Form so we can learn more about your assets or estate. After that, our team will schedule a walk-through of the estate to determine if it meets our criteria—this ensures there are enough assets to make the process worthwhile, since we invest a substantial amount of money and resources into professional cataloging, marketing, and the technical aspects of running an online local auction. If your estate qualifies, you’ll choose the week that works best for you, and we’ll put our proven 7-day liquidation method into action to maximize your results.
Q: What happens if nothing sells?
A: The good news is, you risk absolutely nothing when working with us. The worst-case scenario is that your items don’t sell—which has never happened—but if it did, you wouldn’t lose a dime. We’re the ones who take on all the upfront costs of cataloging, professional marketing, and running the sale. So, while we would be out a substantial amount of time and money, you would only be out a week of time. In short, there’s no financial risk to you whatsoever.
Q: Don’t shoppers want bargains at walk-through estate sales—doesn’t that mean higher sales?
A: It’s true—most people who attend in-person estate sales are bargain hunters. In fact, industry surveys show that over 60% of estate sale shoppers attend primarily to “find a deal” or “negotiate a discount”. That means your items are often sold for less than they’re worth, because buyers expect markdowns and frequently make offers below asking price.
At a walk-through estate sale, the mindset is: “How low can I get this for?”—and if something doesn’t sell quickly, it’s marked down further each day until it leaves at a steep discount.
In contrast, an online local auction removes that bargaining dynamic. Instead of discount hunters dictating the price downward, the open bidding process lets the market set the true value of each item. Multiple bidders compete with each other, which naturally pushes the price higher—not lower.
This is the same reason why online platforms like eBay became so successful: competitive bidding creates urgency and fair market pricing, whereas face-to-face haggling often erodes value.
👉 Bottom line:
- In-person sale: Shoppers push prices down.
- Online auction: Bidders push prices up.
That’s how you maximize the estate’s return—by letting competition, not discounts, determine value.
Q: Why is an online estate auction safer than a traditional walk-through sale?
A: Safety is a major advantage of our online local estate auctions. In a traditional walk-through sale, anyone who knows the property’s address can show up—even outside of official sale hours. This creates risks:
- Theft or vandalism: Unsupervised visitors may steal valuable items or damage property.
- Liability issues: You could be held responsible if someone gets hurt on-site.
- Unwanted traffic: Curious neighbors or strangers can crowd the property, making it stressful and unsafe for everyone.
With our online auctions, the physical address is never publicly shared. Only winning bidders who are scheduled for pickup receive the exact property location. That means:
- Only verified buyers come for pickup, reducing risk of theft.
- Estate owners maintain complete privacy and control until all items are sold.
- Families can feel secure while the auction is running, without worrying about strangers coming onto the property.
In short: Online auctions protect both your assets and your peace of mind while still maximizing profits.
Q: Is an online auction more profitable than a walk-through sale?
A: ** Yes — significantly.** Incorporating online elements into estate sales has enabled a 50% increase in sales volume and a 15% boost in revenue per sale.
What types of assets can I sell through your online estate auction?
A: You can sell virtually anything through our online local estate auction. Our team has experience handling a wide variety of items, including:
- Household goods, furniture, collectibles, and antiques
- Electronics, tools, and appliances
- Vehicles — cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs
- Artwork, jewelry, and rare items
- And yes — sometimes even the real estate itself
If it has value, we can list it, market it, and sell it in a safe, online environment. Our goal is to maximize return on every asset while making the process seamless for you.
Q: Why do online auctions bring in more money?
A:
- Wider buyer reach: Online sales connect you with more interested buyers in the surrounding areas, not just emporia locals.
- Competitive bidding: A larger audience fuels bidding wars that drive up final prices.
- Efficient pricing: Smarter pricing tools and audience data eliminate guesswork.
Q: But don’t walk-through sales sell more items, even small ones?
A: Not always. In fact, it’s common to leave money behind when sticking to only in-person. Many less saleable but still valuable items (pots, clothes, stationery) go unsold — and that’s lost revenue. There is also a huge problem with theft around estate sales.
Q: What happens to the items that don’t sell?
A: Not every item sells, and that’s normal with estate sales. Some items are true treasures that just need the right buyer, while others are better suited for donation—or, in some cases, simply junk that needs to be discarded. After the auction, we carefully sort through what’s left. We’ll continue trying to sell certain pieces, and we also reach out to trusted contacts who occasionally do bulk buyouts.
For everything else, we offer a complete cleanout service. That means we handle the heavy lifting—hauling away unsold items, paying dump fees, taking donations to the proper organizations, and even cleaning the house and leaving it empty. This way, you don’t have to worry about a single thing after the sale is finished. Check out our Property Cleanout service here.
About Our Kansas Estate Sale Service
Q: What is “One Week Liquidation”?
A: Our One Week Liquidation is a complete, start-to-finish estate service that takes just 7 days — from inventory to cleanout. Based in Emporia Kansas, we handle every detail of your estate liquidation so you can focus on what matters most.
Q: Who hires your estate sale company?
A: We work with Emporia and surrounding Kansas area families settling an estate, homeowners downsizing, individuals relocating, and attorneys or executors managing probate sales. If you need to sell estate assets quickly and professionally, we’re the team for you.
Q: How soon can you start my estate sale?
A: We can usually begin within 1–2 weeks, depending on the estate size and our schedule.
Pricing & Commission
Q: What do your Kansas estate liquidation services cost?
A: We charge 35% of total sales — no upfront cost. Our fee covers professional online and offline marketing, staging, payment processing fees, advertising, auction, use of our equipment and all operations and fees involved… you never have to lift a finger.
Q: Are there hidden fees in your estate sale process?
A: No. Our pricing is transparent. The only deduction from the sale proceeds is the agreed 35% commission. We cover all merchant payment processing fees, auction fees, advertising / marketing, employees, etc.
Legal & Probate Estate Sales
Q: Can you handle estate sales required by probate court?
A: Yes. Our reports meet Kansas probate and estate settlement requirements. We often work directly with attorneys, executors, and court-appointed administrators to ensure compliance. We also work with individuals and families, so we’ve got your back!
Q: What happens to unsold estate items?
A: You can keep them, have them donated to charity, or arrange for clearance — we’ll discuss the best option for your needs. Check out our add-on service for a complete cleanout.
EstatePro offers professional, fast, and stress-free estate liquidation. Whether you’re handling a probate sale, downsizing, or liquidating an entire estate, our 7-day process ensures you get the highest possible return — without the stress.
