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Out with the Old Too much stuff cluttering up your life? De-accessioning experts explain how to divest yourself of everything from antique silver to a straying spouse. Carol Tisch |
Forget the Age of Aquarius; today we live in the Age of Acquisition. The quandary over how to get rid of too much stuff has become as overwhelming as the accumulated detrius itself. The good news is that Sarasota has world-class experts to help: sophisticated, knowledgeable professionals with credentials you'd expect to find in much larger cities.
We found specialists who
remove clutter accumulated over a lifetime and those who focus on last season’s
clothes. Some pros concentrate on why we acquire; others on why we can’t let go.
From the sad burden of settling a loved one’s estate to the joyous transition
from single to married life, the reasons for de-accessioning are as diverse as
the emotions they elicit.
Temporary setbacks, like divorce or debt, force us to downsize. Adult children may have no choice but to initiate an aging parent’s dreaded last move to assisted care. At any age, the desire to free up closet space is universal, and sometimes we battle clutter just to restore emotional balance and harmony to our lives.
This de-accessioning guide was created to simplify all the above. Whether you choose to sell, donate, trade or recycle, you’ll find options for divesting yourself of various goods by category. All you have to do is decide what needs to go, consult our list, pick one corner of a room or closet—and in the words of Nike, goddess of speed and perhaps psychology: Just do it.
CLOTHING: designer and otherwise
“We call
ourselves the
Other local
consigners carve their own niches. Some think even Calvin Klein is too mass
market and refuse anything but Escada and
Most consignment stores have detailed procedures for accepting and selling your clothes. Check whether there are specific days and times the store will review merchandise, if an appointment is needed, what percentage it pays on the sale, if and when prices of the items will be reduced, and whether you may withdraw your merchandise from sale.
Many prefer to donate directly to the charity of their choice at drop-off locations or charitable thrift shops. That’s especially true for menswear, since none of the local consignment shops take it. “We get incredible donations from men,” says Goodwill Manasota’s marketing director, Patsy French, who lists Paul Stuart, Barneys and Brooks Brothers suits on the bill of fare.
“Hats and
purses do have collectible value,” says
FINE JEWELRY
Actress Ellen Barkin made $20 million when she auctioned the jewelry spoils of her failed marriage to Revlon billionaire Ron Perelman at Christie’s last fall.
“If you suspect you’ve inherited a good
piece, take it to an independent appraiser or graduate gemologist like Richard
Sherwood in
Knowledgeable dealers should be able to estimate the resale value of your piece within five to 10 percent. Crissy’s goal is to make about 15 to 20 percent on the jewelry he buys from you. Although he doesn’t advise clients to sell jewelry via classified ads, he offers a litany of cautions for those who insist: “Say you’re selling an estate and you need to act now. Tell the potential buyer the jewelry is in a bank vault. Have them meet you in a public place like the lobby of a bank, not at your home. If the buyer wants to show the piece to a relative or friend, tell them you’d rather not have it leave your eyesight. Accept only payment in cash. Printed cashier’s checks can be photocopied; go to the bank with the purchaser to cash the check.” Enough said?