In today’s marketplace, timing is crucial when selling or donating your possessions. Tina Beer Hamlin of Coast Consignment joins me in this blog post to discuss why delays don’t pay when you’re trying to sell or donate your items.

Recently, Coast Consignment received ten beautiful vintage and antique Persian carpets from an estate downsizing. Typically, these types of rugs sell very well on consignment. However, the homeowner rolled up the rugs, tied them with string, and stored them in their basement. When Coast Consignment unrolled the rugs at their shop, they were devasted because all of them were infested with moth larvae!

Damage Due to Long-Term Storage

Unfortunately, we (Out of Chaos and Coast Consignment) often find that long-term storage of household goods results in deterioration. Storing rugs, furniture, clothing, and linens, even in seemingly temperature-controlled storage facilities, can result in insect, mould, and mildew damage.

Unused items (even if stored in your home) can dry out, crack, or become brittle. When you are ready to part with them, their value is negligible due to poor condition from improper storage and/or lack of demand for the style. For example, Coast Consignment received a high-end brand-name leather sofa but was unable to sell it because the owners shrink-wrapped and kept it in a storage locker for several years, resulting in major damage. Unfortunately, it was not even suitable for donation.

The Disadvantage of Storage Lockers

Out of Chaos believes storage lockers can be helpful for short-term storage, but we do not recommend them for long-term storage. Stacking furniture, appliances, and other household goods on top of each other or against each other for years on end is detrimental. When we do a storage locker clear-out, we often find high-quality pieces that are ruined because they have been improperly stored for years. We must take them to the transfer station. It’s disheartening because the client paid for the storage unit for ages, and now the contents are almost worthless.

This example illustrates the fact that delays don’t pay. The longer you wait to sell your goods, the more you spend to keep, store, and maintain them and the less money you will receive when you try to sell them.

Properly Prepare Items for Storage

Thoroughly cleaning and preparing furniture, appliances, or household goods before storing them is essential – including removing dirt and stains. Ideally, use cleaning products appropriate for the item. For example, cleaning a stove might require a heavy-duty grease remover. However, you would use a gentle cleanser for fine wood furniture. Hire a professional cleaner for rugs and upholstery with natural fibres like silk, wool, cotton, and camel hair.

Ensure the pieces are thoroughly and completely dry before storing them. Then, wrap them in very thick plastic and store them in a clean, dry, pest-free area. You should never store rugs (or any other furniture) in attics, crawl spaces, or uninsulated basements and garages with bare concrete floors. Do not store them in damp areas because humidity creates mildew and mould and attracts silverfish and moths.

Ideally, elevate furniture off the ground using pallets or furniture risers to help protect against potential water damage and improve air circulation around the furniture. When placing items in storage, do not pack them tightly. Place furniture on its legs (not the back or arms). Additionally, do not pile heavy items on top of upholstered furniture or mattresses.

Delays Don’t Pay. Sell it Now

Tina says that decades of experience in the consignment business taught her that styles change quickly. In fact, the longer you wait to declutter and downsize, the more likely it is that similar items will flood the market, driving down prices. If you sell immediately instead of putting items into storage, you can take advantage of the current demand and potentially fetch higher prices. Besides, there is also the money you save by not paying for a storage unit.

At Out of Chaos, we understand that letting go of possessions can be difficult. However, timely decisions can earn you money by ensuring your items are sold in the best possible condition. Mark a date on your calendar to declutter and downsize. Contact the Out of Chaos team for assistance and Coast Consignment for appraisal and advice. Remember, delays don’t pay. Act now to benefit from the current market demand.