Citylife in Rugeley and Cannock Chase March April 2021

Look after the
pennies… and the
pounds will come!
...............................
By Richard Winterton
As my Granny used to say: “Look after the pennies and the pounds will
look after themselves.” I might also add ‘look after the pennies and the
pounds will come’. Let me explain…
When I first go to a house, I say: “We are here to help you.”
If the property is full, we will check everything – the house of course
and the attic, the cellars if there are any, garages, the gardens, any sheds,
outbuildings, greenhouses, conservatories, orangeries… you name it!
To some, those jam-packed garages, overgrown gardens and crowded
sheds might seem daunting – at best the spectre of a dozen or more
journeys to the tip.
And that’s where we come in. We don’t cherry-pick, we carefully sift
through everything, identify potential lots for sale at auction (realistically
most things) and then safely dispose of anything which needs to be
scrapped, such as items which do not meet current fire or electrical
regulations.
People do get concerned about sheds, gardens and garages – don’t be.
Let us come to you and take away the stress along with the items in
question.
Over the years I have seen so many attics stacked floor-to-ceiling and
garages racked wall-to-wall and whether it’s a bulging basement or
unloved outbuilding, these places are so often chock-a-block with
opportunity.
Heaving sheds and garages are teeming with interesting finds, from
vintage tools and equipment to automobilia and random curios which
ended up there by default.
As I say, we don’t cherry-pick. We have a dedicated, very experienced
team and if there’s something there, we will find it!
Many times, the whole clearance costs can be covered from items
thought only good for the tip until unearthed in those places by our
eagle-eyed team.
As the saying goes ‘one person’s trash is another’s treasure’ – should
it perhaps also be ‘one person’s collection is another’s clutter’?
Whichever way, it’s never more true than in our specialised field.
There could be one tiny gem in an entire property; equally there could
be dozens! And they could be anything from anywhere in the world. The
possibilities really are exciting.
Once we’ve done that initial clearance and all the sifting, identifying and
cataloguing, we can then also dress a house for sale should the client
wish. And once the sale completes, we come back again to clear it and
leave the property completely clean for its new occupants.
The contents of house/shed/gardens etc are transported back to The
Lichfield Auction Centre to go through the auction process.
In this respect I liken us to a one-stop shop! We take care of the whole
process and, although we sell many things for thousands and thousands
of pounds, we treat items worth perhaps £5 to £10 with equal care. To
us, everything is important.
Whatever the situation, we never forget that this is someone else’s
home and belongings – possibly accumulated over an entire lifetime.
So, whether you are an executor clearing a deceased estate,
investigating downsizing options, administering probate, emigrating or
10
just keen to clear clutter (or should I say collection?), give us a call.
We’re always happy to have a look with a free, no obligation home visit
and give you our honest opinion and free quotation upfront.
That same helping hand is available for all properties inside and out,
ranging from houses, bungalows and flats to schools, offices and factories
and I am so proud of our bespoke, sympathetic service.
When it comes to probate, we’re especially adept at handling the
entire estate – as the National Association of Jewellers’ newest approved
member for auction services, all members of our jewellery department
are certified gemmologists and diamond graders.
Whatever the items in question, we can handle probate valuations and
estate clearances in their entirety.
Just about anything you can think of can come through The Lichfield
Auction Centre, from watches, jewellery and furniture to specialist
militaria, coins, silver, stamps, ceramics, vintage toys, comics and Pokemon
cards – the ultimate modern-day collectable!
Everything from boxes of mixed lots to automobiles can – and does –
go under the hammer in our online-only auctions.
There’s now so much detail with extra photos for every lot in the
online catalogues to help people all across the world buy in confidence.
We’ve also had so many lovely comments from clients about our
packing service and all the measures we have implemented with regard
to coronavirus.
So, from the back of a Lichfield shed to the front of a Hong Kong
collector’s cabinet, perhaps… that’s how it’s done.
Look after the pennies and the pounds will come – and furthermore
we will look after you!
For a free home visit to discuss house clearances, downsizing, probate
assistance or large collections, contact The Lichfield Auction Centre on
01543 251081 or email richardwinterton@richardwinterton.co.uk.
Visit us online and browse our new website at
www.richardwinterton.co.uk.
Richard Winterton Auctioneers has a
dedicated and very experienced house
clearances team.
A recent house clearance at a
property overlooking Lichfield’s
Stowe Pool.
Richard was delighted to discover this vintage Triumph Stag in a barn
earlier this year.