AUCTION & ESTATE SALE COMPANIES AREN'T THE ONLY ONES HELPING SENIORS MOVE ANYMORE Auctioneers and Estate Companies have long been helping seniors move, especially when they had no one else to turn to. Now Senior Moving Consultants are all the rage, but they don't do it for free.
Crystal River, FL October 8, 2009. Senior moving companies are on the rise. Almost overnight, they've popped up all over the map. One can pay just under $1500 for a 3-day course to become certified as a Senior Transition Specialist. But, is this really something new, or have they re-branded an age old concept of helping our elders? These companies are charging for services that Auction Businesses and Estate Sale Companies alike have been providing to their older clients for years, but they were doing it out of the goodness of their heart. They didn't know that helping seniors make the transition to assisted living or a relatives home could mean dollar signs. Instead they helped because it was the neighborly thing to do.
Do a Google search and the names are endless. Senior Transitions, Caring Transitions, Gentle Transitions, and Mature Movers are just a few. They even have an association: The National Association of Senior Move Managers, a 501-C-3 Not-for-Profit organization.
Why have these companies become necessary? Isn't there anyone who cares enough about the elderly to help them with their move to assisted living or back home to be near their children without being paid for it? Are family members too busy to help them? Don't neighbors help each other anymore? What happened to "Love your neighbor as yourself". Well, there are actually two types of businesses that do care. They have been around for ever and a day helping seniors prepare for moving day and most likely they didn't charge them extra. Those businesses are Estate Sale and Auction Companies. Although they may not have specifically advertised this service, for years Auction Houses and Estate Sale Companies alike have been the liaison between clients and their out of town family members to help this transition go smoothly. These businesses have helped sort items, made necessary arrangements, and taken it upon themselves to see that their clients were ready for moving day. Most have left the home void of debris, "broom clean" and ready for a Realtor, and if the home really needs a deep cleaning, these companies will call in a professional cleaning crew, as long as the owner is willing to pay. They are also happy to help by transporting unsold items to a charity of the owner's choice.
The liquidators of the "good ol' days" didn't charge for the little extras. The auctioneer or estate sale companies made their profit on the liquidation of the items in the home that were not going to be moved, and not for helping the senior with all the other details. These "details" can become overwhelming to a client, but are matter-of-fact for liquidators, who move seniors day in and day out. A huge smile or a warm hug from the client were compensation enough for going the extra mile. Years later the companies continued to reap rewards in the form of word-of-mouth referrals from family, friends, and neighbors who were impressed at the kindness displayed by the liquidators.
