Fake Real Estate Sales Exposed

Most estate sales are handled by reputable individuals who are on the rise and wouldn’t dream of disappointing an unsuspecting buyer. Unfortunately, there is a small percentage of tag sales that are unreliable.

There are many stories of events that advertise to the public promising all sorts of objects like Baccarat crystal or Mont Blank pens for sale, and then when unsuspecting people show up looking for these collectible trinkets, they’re not there or are said to be. sold. These bait and switch events attempt to draw crowds to try to make a sale on mediocre products that don’t actually exist.

In other cases, label sales are advertised in the newspaper as the estate of a 90-year-old grandmother with a lifetime of candy in the attic. When you get there, you realize that it is no such thing and that they are selling junk products.

Another disappointment in terms of fake property sales are sellers who try to pass off fake items as the real deal. If you see a too-good-to-be-true price on a supposed Tiffany lamp, you can be pretty sure it’s a fake. Antique furniture is another place where scams are big because most buyers don’t know what they are looking for to guarantee its authenticity. You can be sure that the old furniture was not assembled with glue, staples, chipboard or shiny screws. It’s important to educate yourself on furniture construction over time so you can try to determine true value.

Unfortunately, designer items like handbags, wristwatches, and jewelry are common counterfeits in real estate sales, so be careful. Many times the seller is caught off guard and does not realize it. Be sure to request a certificate of authenticity or receipt whenever possible to confirm that a designer item is authentic.

Art is also notoriously counterfeitable, so be careful when buying it at an estate sale. Unless the claim is backed up by some authoritative proof showing evidence that the painting is indeed Great Uncle Frank’s Jackson Pollack painting, you better be ready to take a professional with you to validate the piece for you. In some cases, you can purchase the part with the ability to return it if it is found not to be what is advertised.

If you want to avoid being scammed, go for real estate sales by highly regarded real estate adjusters who carry insurance and are bonded to protect your business. You can check the Better Business Bureau or references to make sure the selling company is up to date. When you attend a family estate sale, things certainly get more complicated and you open yourself up a little more to the opportunity to commit fraud. Remember, if your gut tells you that something doesn’t feel exactly right, then it’s probably a good time to walk away before spending your hard-earned money.

If you are a collector of a particular item, such as antique glass, jewelry, or art, then make it your business to educate yourself so you can spot fakes quickly, or bring an experienced friend to help you out. Don’t just buy an estate sale without carefully checking that the item is really what it is!