Estate sale companies in Arizona commonly charge a commission of 30% to 50% of the gross sale proceeds, although pricing varies by company and by the amount of work an estate requires. Some companies offer an all-inclusive commission, while others charge separately for services such as clean-out, trash removal, advertising, or additional labor. Companies may also have a minimum fee, which applies when the commission earned from the sale does not reach a certain amount. When comparing estate sale companies, look beyond the commission percentage and ask what is included in the fee, whether a minimum applies, and what additional charges may apply to your estate. Review the agreement carefully and make sure the pricing structure is clear before hiring a company.

Most estate sale companies do not require upfront payment for their services. Their commission and other agreed-upon fees are typically deducted from the proceeds of the estate sale. One common exception is the cost of a dumpster, when one is needed. Dumpster fees are generally the client’s responsibility and may need to be paid before delivery. At Bonjour Estate Sales, if a dumpster is necessary and paying for it upfront would be difficult, we may be able to advance the cost and deduct it from the sale proceeds afterward. When available, dumpsters can often be ordered through the local city or waste provider. Some municipalities require the property owner, occupant, or authorized representative to place the order and may require proof of residency.

Commission rates can vary based on the amount of labor involved, the size and contents of the estate, local market conditions, and what is included in the company's services.Some companies use a higher, all-inclusive percentage, while others charge a lower commission with separate fees for certain services.When comparing companies, look beyond the percentage and ask exactly what is included so you can compare the total cost of the service.See our Pricing Guide for helpful questions to ask when comparing estate sale companies.

Arizona requires businesses making taxable retail sales to collect and remit Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT). The applicable tax rate can vary depending on where the sale takes place. Sales tax is added to the customer's purchase and is not deducted from the client's sale proceeds as an expense. Sales tax collected from customers is not included when calculating our commission. We also accept credit cards at our sales. Bonjour considers normal credit-card processing fees a cost of doing business, so we do not pass those processing fees along to our clients or customers.

An estate sale requires many of the same basic resources regardless of how much the sale ultimately generates - including staffing, setup, research, pricing, advertising, sale-day management, and final accounting. A minimum fee helps ensure there is enough value in the sale to support the time and resources required to conduct it properly.

For a typical three-day sale ending on Saturday, we use the following few days to complete any remaining work, reconcile the sale, and prepare your final accounting. Proceeds are typically issued on Wednesday following the conclusion of the sale.Payment is normally issued by check, with wire transfer available upon request. We'll discuss your preferred payment method during your consultation.

Before accepting a sale, we evaluate whether we believe the estate can reasonably support the cost of conducting it. If we don't believe a traditional estate sale is the right fit, we'll tell you. Any minimum fee and circumstances that could affect it will be explained before you sign the agreement.

Most ordinary costs associated with conducting the sale are included in our commission. There are a few situations where additional costs may apply, and we'll discuss those with you before you hire us. For example, additional charges may apply to two-story homes, homes larger than 3,000 square feet, and heavy-content estates because of the additional labor involved. If a property contains a significant amount of trash that must be removed, a dumpster may also be necessary. The client is responsible for the cost of the dumpster but Bonjour does not charge an additional fee to load it.Any applicable fees are discussed upfront, so you understand the anticipated cost before the work begins.

A heavy-content estate is one that requires substantially more labor than a typical estate sale due to the volume, density, organization, research, or preparation required. For us, a useful benchmark is the amount of time needed to prepare the sale. If an estate is likely to require two to three times the normal setup, research, staging, and pricing time, it may be considered heavy-content. We'll make that determination during the consultation and explain the pricing before you decide whether to move forward.

Not necessarily. Commission is only one part of choosing an estate sale company. Consider the company's experience, staffing, marketing, pricing knowledge, insurance and bonding, reputation, what services are included, any additional fees, and—most importantly—whether you feel comfortable trusting them with your home and belongings. A lower percentage doesn't automatically mean a better value, just as a higher percentage doesn't automatically mean better service. The best comparison is what you're receiving for the total cost and whether the company is the right fit for your situation.

Vehicles are handled separately from the household contents of the estate. Our commission on vehicles is 15% of the final sale price, rather than our standard estate sale commission.Vehicles must be lien-free with clear title before we can offer them for sale. We'll discuss the vehicle, title requirements, and how the sale will be handled during your consultation.

Our standard fee covers the contents of the primary home and a typical small outdoor shed. Additional or non-typical spaces - such as casitas, guest houses, workshops, barns, detached garages, attics, basements, and onsite or offsite storage areas - are evaluated separately. If you'd like these areas included in your estate sale, we'll review them during your consultation and let you know upfront if any additional fee applies.