About Carnaby Estate Sales
We offer complete estate sale packages to ensure that every item from your estate sells for the maximum amount. Our specialty is on-site estate sales. We can also use a combination of on-site sales, eBay consignment sales, referral to high quality auction houses, and clean-outs to get a house ready for showing and maximize the value of your estate. If you cannot have a sale because of condo or apartment regulations, we can have the sale at our own insured premises.
With more than 40 years in the business, we know how to handle your estate with care!
We're sure you have questions about having us hold an estate sale (and that makes us happy because it means we're dealing with a savvy consumer!). Here are some of the most common:
Q. What sets you apart from your competitors?
A. We are a family-run business, and we personally run all of our sales - your sale will have a Carnaby owner there at all times; we do not pass your sale over to staff to run.
We are also known for our friendliness and enthusiasm - our buyers love to shop with us and our clients love working with us! We go the extra mile to make each sale the best we have ever done, and it shows in our results. We've amassed a huge following this way; our customers know they are attending a top-notch sale, which translates to higher revenue for you.
Our set-ups are amazing - everything will be clean, neat and on shelves or tables; no confused jumbles of items at Carnaby sales!
Q. Unlike some competitors, you're very upfront about your commission rate.
A. We don't believe in being cagey about our fees or in you having to meet with us for a "fee reveal". You should base your final decision on a good personality fit and your confidence in us once we meet, but we're not going to leave you wondering about the business end before we even start.
Our commission structure is simple: 30%
Everything involved with running a normal sale is included in our commission: staffing for set-up and the sale itself, display units, online advertising and marketing, and leaving the house tidy at the end. (We also offer complete clean-out services - more on that below.)
Q. Are there situations where the commission or fees might be higher?
Yes. If we are dealing with a house where set-up hours exceed the norm there will be a charge for that (we have done houses where we have filled up several dumpsters before we even begin - and then had sales that greatly exceeded anyone's expectations with the treasures we uncovered). We include 50 man-hours of set-up time free in your contract.
We may also charge a higher commission for sales with long travel distances (we will do sales within a two hour radius and will service areas where there are no other companies, all the way down into Pennsylvania). These instances are rare, though, and we'll all know pretty much instantly at our consultation.
Q. Do I need to do anything before you start work?
A. The only thing you need to do is remove anything personal that won't be part of the sale (and in situations where stuff can't be moved out quickly, we're happy to designate a room or closet as "private" and store personal or family-reserved items in there). We take care of everything else! Above all, don't throw anything out - things like spices, half containers of laundry soap, clothing, cans of paint and oil, and other household items can add a surprising amount of value to your sale. We have sold bags of rocks, bricks, and old peat moss. We're happy to sort out and bag up the true trash for you on our time - so you can save yours!
Q. What kind of advertising do you do?
A. We have an extensive social media reach on multiple estate sale sites, our own website, facebook, instagram and more. And of course, we maximize our website coverage with a LOT of photos and have a huge email list (we have a huge following of happy customers).
Q. Do you do a 75% off day at the end of the sale?
A. We hear this question all the time from people who are new to our sales. The answer we give them is "no, we just price fairly to start with." Our goal is to bring in as much for every item in the estate as possible, while ensuring that the family is not left with a house full of unsold goods at the end. It's a delicate balancing act, and one at which we excel.
Q. But what happens if there are some things left over?
A. There will be. It is rare to sell 100% of a house's contents. Our primary goal is to make sure there is as little left as possible by pricing accurately for the local market, and actively selling - we don't just sit there at our sales!
That said, we offer a number of after-sale options for you, from trash removal and clean-outs, to dealers we work with who will buy flea market type items, all the way up to deep house cleaning to get the house realtor ready for sale. We are also happy to help with donations to local charities for unsold clothing and household goods. We work with you to make sure your house is as empty as you want it to be.
Q. I'm out of town - do I need to be there for this?
A. No - we have even had people send us keys from out of state. It's helpful if a relative or someone local can show us around the house the first time and show us the lights, thermostat controls, etc., but we have handled long-distance complete sale/clean-out situations with no problem at all. Obviously, if there are things the family is keeping, someone needs to deal with those first, but there is no need for anyone to be there while we are working or during the actual sale. We will sort out and set aside all personal paperwork, photographs, etc. for the family to take care of after the sale.
We are also happy to work directly with your estate lawyer or realtor.
Q. How much lead time do you need to do a sale?
A. The short answer is 7 days - this is the minimum to get the ad in the Buffalo News, photos done, the website updated and our mailing list clients contacted.
The longer answer is as much time as possible, especially if it is a large estate needing a lot of organizing and tagging. Our schedule is busier at some times of the year than others and all of our sales get our personal attention. Longer lead times also mean earlier advertising to our buyer mailing list - we have people who come from as far as Toronto and Pennsylvania for our sales, but they do need to schedule.
Q. How do you set your prices?
A. We set our prices based on many years of experience as antique dealers and appraisers, running on-site estate sales, and doing a huge business in on-line sales. Remember that because we work on commission, we are working to get you every dollar possible for each item. But we also have to be realistic about what things will actually sell for in our area.
We do offer the opportunity to use our eBay consignment business for items when we know they will go for far more in the international eBay market than in our local area. We work together with you to use every sales method possible to maximize results for you.
We also research heavily, especially for specialty items out of our area of expertise. Doing this ensures that nothing gets undersold.
Q. Are you insured?
A. Yes, we are insured for business liability. However, you are also expected to have homeowner's insurance in force on the premises during the sale period.
Q. Do you put out a lot of signs?
A. Yes, we have nice, bright directional signs. Although 90% of the people will come from our ads or mailing list, the signs are useful for attracting drive-by traffic - sometimes bringing in great impulse purchasers!
Q. Does it bother you if we interview a few more companies?
A. Not at all! We'd far rather you interviewed several of our competitors and then chose us knowing that we are absolutely the right choice for you.
Have a question we haven't covered here? Email us or give us a call at 860-1550!
Remember that our on-site consultations are always free - we look forward to hearing from you!
Service areas
Based out of Buffalo, NY also serving areas near Buffalo , NY , East Aurora , NY , Fredonia , NY , Hamburg , NY , Lockport , NY , Niagara Falls , NY and Orchard Park , NY
Services Offered
- In-person Estate Sales
- Appraisal Services
- Clean-out Services
Memberships & Associations
- American Society of Estate Liquidators
- Antiques and Collectibles National Association
NOW STARTS SATURDAY! TIME TO SHOP at this Hamburg Carnaby Estate Sale - Vintage, Retro +++
Carnaby Estate SalesSTARTING SATURDAY THE 14th NOW! Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Saturday at 9ish or earlier. This is almost right across from Tractor Supply on Southwestern with plenty of parking! We've been chosen to liquidate the contents of Rust & Rags,...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Saturday at 9ish or earlier. Classic Orchard Park home with loads of household and smalls! Highlight is the Cub Cadet XT2 LX 42" in amazing condition, with brand new battery and rear bagger. The mower alone r...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Fab late 1800s home with plush sunroom furniture, maple country kitchen table set, loads of housewares, yard and garden, decor and more! OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Guitar signed by Jim Ke...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. We're having an amazing retro estate sale in the Pierce Arrow Commerce Park & Residences in Elmwood! Hundreds of parking spaces and direct street access! The client bought almost a...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Lovely, sparkling clean home with comfy furniture, decor, vintage games, housewares, kitchenware and more! Smaller furniture pieces, two bedroom sets in like new condition, love sea...
Sign-in sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. A charming Wheatfield home with classic furniture (priced to sell!), retro, housewares, kitchenware and more! TWO lovely Thomas Forester gilded cobalt vase and urn pairs (ca 1910), ...
Sign-in sheet does up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. A lovely West Seneca home with furniture (priced to sell!), housewares, decor, holiday, kitchenware and more. Fab dining room farmhouse table (with extra leaves for Thanksgiving!) a...
ONE DAY BLOW-OUT 75% OFF! 52 The Avenue • Cheektowaga • 14225 Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Saturday at 9ish or earlier. Loads of retro kitchen as well as bright modern fun! Retro 70s women's and men's clothing and bags. Loads left over ...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Super furniture including leather couch and chair, dining room set, smaller furniture. Wicker dresser and nightstand, bookshelves with etched glass doors. Vintage comics (Vampirella...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Fun house with some great retro and collectibles! Household, kitchenware, decor and more. Large kitchen table set, leatherette couch and loveseat, bedroom furniture, dressers, small...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Please bring boxes or trays for items. Comfy wing chairs, couches and smaller furniture abound at this one! Enamel kitchen table in fab condition. Purple amethyst glass collection, ...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Retro, a really cool 50s bedroom set, vintage and modern holiday, and more. Maple dining suite, kitchen table set, fun retro couches, lots of smaller furniture. Linens, clothing, k...
Sign-up sheet goes up when arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Our second fab Williamsville this week is only a couple of miles from the first at 453 Seabrook, so plan to come to both! Holiday galore at this one! Plus, a super children's toy secti...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. This spacious home offers something for everyone - great furniture, housewares, decor, kitchenware, retro and more. Loads of retro kitchen as well as bright modern fun! Retro 70s wo...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. This house has lots of great vintage and antique furniture, antique smalls, household, kitchenware and more! Mowers galore! Craftsman zero-turn riding mower in great condition and J...
Sign-up Sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. This wonderfully neat and modern home has a stellar blonde Scandanavian dining room suite, casual furniture, crafting and office furniture and more. Smaller couches, metal shelving, ...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. This will be a fun one and the picker sale to end all picker sales! Popcorn maker from the Hamburg Palace Theatre, lots of restaurant equipment, 60s Seeburg Jukebox (working!), guit...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. A great home with some fabulous furniture, loads of smalls, vintage and more! You'll definitely want to make the trip. Fun porch furniture - start your own flowery bistro! A great m...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Another fab Hamburg sale with lovely antique furniture (stylish country!), smalls, housewares, kitchenware, decor and more. OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Printer's cabinet full of metal lett...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Classic home with crafting, sewing, decor, retro, glassware. So much crafting - sewing, knitting, wood crafts and more. Baskets galore and holiday trays and glassware you can use fo...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Where to even start with this one? Definitely a 60s & 70s time capsule - from the amazing vintage clothing and shoes to the hundreds of salt and pepper shakers! Lovely 30s bedroom s...
No sign-up sheet - just come and wait in line. There was just so much great stuff in this house we decided to do another sale for the client - virtually everything is 75% off, the Venetian chandeliers are down for easy pick-up, and the bulk of the f...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Bags and large pocketbooks not allowed in sale - feel free to bring cardboard flats or shallow boxes. Lovely Williamsville home with fun decor, housewares, furniture and more. Fabu...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. This house is an amazing 70s time capsule - retro everything! Kitchenware, games, clothing (vintage and brand new with tags), holiday, fab lamps, barware and a lot more! Eastlake t...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Cute house with lots for everyone! Amazing treasure trove of 70s macrame pieces - plant hangers, lamps, art pieces, beaded, shells, etc.! Check out the market for those on eBay (or ...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. This gracious home features lovely up to date furniture, decor, housewares and more. Curved couch sectional, navy blue leather couch, fab Universal Furniture king bed, dresser and n...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. This lovely Eden home features lovely furniture at reasonable prices - check out the cute painted sideboard, wicker set and country kitchen table and stools! Larger riding mower, hu...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Neat as a pin home with lovely furniture, durable medical equipment, decor, fun kitchenware and more! OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Spirit CRS800 Semi-Recumbent Stepper (look up the retail p...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive at 9ish or earlier. A wowzer of a picker sale! OF SPECIAL INTEREST: 2007 Chevy Silverado Z71 4x4 Truck with 110k miles, running great with clean title. House has solid furniture, adult disposable underwear and ...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive at 9ish or earlier. Fun country home with lots of retro, vintage Christmas, picker fun in the barn and more! House has lots of retro - vintage Christmas, vintage linens, vintage toys, dishware and an AMAZING SET...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Darling house with amazingly modern furniture - wait until you see the dining set! Dining table & chairs, mid-century bedroom suite, La-Z-Boy couch, outdoor furniture, picnic benche...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. This lovely home is full of fabulous farmhouse furniture, French country decor and more. Sweet dining set, couches, fab sideboard, bedroom furniture, smaller furniture, wardrobe. ...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Make sure you put Depew in your GPS - there are several French Rds in the area! A fun house with some cool retro - holiday, clothes, linens. Furniture, housewares, kitchenware and mo...
No sign-up sheet for this one - just wait in line. This is a one-day blow-out at 75% off! If you missed this incredible sale last weekend, this is your second chance - because there is almost as much left as at the start of a normal sale - and we sol...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. This house is packed with amazing holiday, designer clothing and accessories, fun decor and more! Kitchenware, amazing cookware (most still in new packaging), linens galore, element...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Lovely country home with great solid furniture, decor, holiday, retro and more! Vintage toys galore! Tool chests, quality tools, yard and garden. Dining room suite, kitchen table...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive at 9ish or earlier. This home has a lot of lovely furniture, housewares, kitchenware and more. Kitchen table and chairs, Drexel dining room suite, Burlington wrap-around desk and shelving unit (country French st...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Be careful parking - ditches on side of road. This spacious home features modern furniture, decor, holiday, tools, outdoor furniture and so much more! You'll want to spend a lot of t...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. This cute condo has lovely furniture, decor and more! Art, office furniture and supplies, kitchenware. Dining table, wing chair, daybed, fab curved vintage desk, shabby chic outdoor...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. This comfortable home has lots for yours including solid furniture at prices that will make you smile! Couch, large oak dining set, hutch, upscale microwave cupboard, smaller kitche...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive at 9ish or earlier. This wonderful lake front home (which will be for sale...) is full of fabulous antiques and decor. Plus, loads of designer clothing and accessories. Shabby chic couch, chairs, bedroom suites,...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. A lovely home with classic furniture, decor, housewares and more. Cherry day bed, sweet kitchen hutch and table set, outdoor patio set, cool modern couch and loveseat. Large antique...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. This large home has something for everyone! Furniture, decor, kitchenware, collectibles, Lenox china galore, Wedgwood, loads of retro, vintage toys, holiday, yard and garden. The h...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Saturday at 9ish or earlier. This quick and fun sale has a little something for everyone - outdoor furniture perfect for the poolside, Coach bags, cool costume jewelry, clothing, kitchenware, amazing leather c...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Lovely home with great combination of antiques, furniture, housewares, kitchenware, vintage toys and more. Highlights include Basset Mayan collection MCM bedroom suite, Alexander Ba...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. PLEASE park the street on the side opposite the house. This absolutely lovely home features amazing hand-crafted furniture (the client is a master cabinetmaker), stoneware, pottery, ...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. Please be careful parking - only park on one side of lane, and your best bet is to park on North! This is right off North St, look for our signs at end of lane. This charming home is...
Sign-up sheet goes up when we arrive on Friday at 9ish or earlier. This lovely, large Orchard Park home has up-to-date furniture, outdoor furniture, decor and more! Luxe couch and loveseat, fab modern TV unit with large flat screen, two queen bedro...
Sign-up sheet goes up on Friday when we arrive at 9ish or earlier. A fun country sale - lots of decor, vintage furniture, collectibles, housewares, kitchenware and more. Lovely furniture, fun MCM bedroom set, dressers, curved sideboard, smaller fur...
Sign-up sheet goes up on Friday at 9ish when we arrive. A fabulous village sale! Up to date and antique furniture, stoneware, chintz, pink transferware (Johnson Bros and more), kitchenware, housewares, art, decor and more! Furniture includes Thoma...
This company has posted a total of 795 estate sales. Only the most recent 50 sales are shown.
The owner, Phoebe Sharp, was extremely optimistic and provided many good ideas in selling items from my parent's estate. I would definitely recommend them to anyone trying to sell estate items.Cynthia B.
Carnaby spent the majority of the week planning and staging the estate sale with the sale being on Friday and Saturday. Items we never thought would sell did. They made a difficult job easy and their commission was reasonable.
Owners Phoebe and Jock Sharp of Carnaby Estate Sales staged an estate sale for my aunt. I didn't even have to be at the sale - I didn't have to do a thing. They made it so easy for me. I was very appreciative since I live in North Buffalo and the estate sale was in Orchard Park. They were very knowledgeable about market values and what they thought would sell. I made much more money than expected, I give them my highest recommendationLynda A.