Look after the pennies… and the pounds will come! 14 ............................... By Richard W<strong>in</strong>terton 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 expla<strong>in</strong>… When I first go to a house, I say: “We are here to help you.” If the property is full, we will check everyth<strong>in</strong>g – the house of course and the attic, the cellars if there are any, garages, the gardens, any sheds, outbuild<strong>in</strong>gs, greenhouses, conservatories, orangeries… you name it! To some, those jam-packed garages, overgrown gardens and crowded sheds might seem daunt<strong>in</strong>g – at best the spectre of a dozen or more journeys to the tip. And that’s where we come <strong>in</strong>. We don’t cherry-pick, we carefully sift through everyth<strong>in</strong>g, identify potential lots for sale at auction (realistically most th<strong>in</strong>gs) and then safely dispose of anyth<strong>in</strong>g 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 <strong>in</strong> question. Over the years I have seen so many attics stacked floor-to-ceil<strong>in</strong>g and garages racked wall-to-wall and whether it’s a bulg<strong>in</strong>g basement or unloved outbuild<strong>in</strong>g, these places are so often chock-a-block with opportunity. Heav<strong>in</strong>g sheds and garages are teem<strong>in</strong>g with <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g f<strong>in</strong>ds, from v<strong>in</strong>tage 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 someth<strong>in</strong>g there, we will f<strong>in</strong>d it! Many times, the whole clearance costs can be covered from items thought only good for the tip until unearthed <strong>in</strong> those places by our eagle-eyed team. As the say<strong>in</strong>g 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 <strong>in</strong> our specialised field. There could be one t<strong>in</strong>y gem <strong>in</strong> an entire property; equally there could be dozens! And they could be anyth<strong>in</strong>g from anywhere <strong>in</strong> the world. The possibilities really are excit<strong>in</strong>g. Once we’ve done that <strong>in</strong>itial clearance and all the sift<strong>in</strong>g, identify<strong>in</strong>g and catalogu<strong>in</strong>g, we can then also dress a house for sale should the client wish. And once the sale completes, we come back aga<strong>in</strong> 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 <strong>Lichfield</strong> 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 th<strong>in</strong>gs for thousands and thousands of pounds, we treat items worth perhaps £5 to £10 with equal care. To us, everyth<strong>in</strong>g is important. Whatever the situation, we never forget that this is someone else’s home and belong<strong>in</strong>gs – possibly accumulated over an entire lifetime. So, whether you are an executor clear<strong>in</strong>g a deceased estate, <strong>in</strong>vestigat<strong>in</strong>g downsiz<strong>in</strong>g options, adm<strong>in</strong>ister<strong>in</strong>g probate, emigrat<strong>in</strong>g or 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 op<strong>in</strong>ion and free quotation upfront. That same help<strong>in</strong>g hand is available for all properties <strong>in</strong>side and out, rang<strong>in</strong>g 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 handl<strong>in</strong>g 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 <strong>in</strong> question, we can handle probate valuations and estate clearances <strong>in</strong> their entirety. Just about anyth<strong>in</strong>g you can th<strong>in</strong>k of can come through The <strong>Lichfield</strong> Auction Centre, from watches, jewellery and furniture to specialist militaria, co<strong>in</strong>s, silver, stamps, ceramics, v<strong>in</strong>tage toys, comics and Pokemon cards – the ultimate modern-day collectable! Everyth<strong>in</strong>g from boxes of mixed lots to automobiles can – and does – go under the hammer <strong>in</strong> our onl<strong>in</strong>e-only auctions. There’s now so much detail with extra photos for every lot <strong>in</strong> the onl<strong>in</strong>e catalogues to help people all across the world buy <strong>in</strong> confidence. We’ve also had so many lovely comments from clients about our pack<strong>in</strong>g service and all the measures we have implemented with regard to coronavirus. So, from the back of a <strong>Lichfield</strong> shed to the front of a Hong Kong collector’s cab<strong>in</strong>et, 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, downsiz<strong>in</strong>g, probate assistance or large collections, contact The <strong>Lichfield</strong> Auction Centre on 01543 251081 or email richardw<strong>in</strong>terton@richardw<strong>in</strong>terton.co.uk. Visit us onl<strong>in</strong>e and browse our new website at www.richardw<strong>in</strong>terton.co.uk. Richard W<strong>in</strong>terton Auctioneers has a dedicated and very experienced house clearances team. A recent house clearance at a property overlook<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Lichfield</strong>’s Stowe Pool. Richard was delighted to discover this v<strong>in</strong>tage Triumph Stag <strong>in</strong> a barn earlier this year.
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