Key Estate Sales

We contacted Key Estate Sales to conduct a complete sale of our home’s furnishings prior to a major move and planned (big mistake!) on selling the entire home furnishings. Sue came to look over what we had, give us details, and schedule the sale. Sue told us «she would handle everything» and have people here to plan, set up, execute, and take care of details– she told us all would be taken care of. The first sign of trouble was when she back tracked on most promises and left us hanging with nearly all preparations. I even called her a day later to confirm as I wanted to make sure I understood correctly– Sue said «no problem, we got this» We ended up having to hire some outside help to come in and prepare for the sale. Granted, many of these items needed to be completed by us, but, where was Key Estate sales? No where to be found. When the sale came, no where near the traffic we had anticipated showed– all the promised advertising and traffic was very disappointing. In the end, they made their $ 1500, we ended up with less than $ 800 minus the $ 240 we paid to have people come in and assist with the set up and preparation. Key got theirs, made no difference to them we ended up on the short.
To top it all off, this company has a serious lack of integrity issue. We had a solid maple/​walnut custom made desk that was well over $ 1,000 to have made. Key priced it at $ 150, then to top it all off, THEY wanted to buy it for themselves and have US pay them a 30% commission on it! Can you say SHADY, lacking in integrity, and dishonest?!! BEWARE! They are the only ones to actually know what was sold and for how much– the $ 790 we did get, well, who knows if that is accurate or not, only they know for sure and based on our experience, we do NOT trust that figure. Essentially, you have to take their word for it.
The furniture and household goods to be sold were all in fine condition and not at all «junque». I can only assume the advertising and publicity was seriously lacking, right along with their integrity.
Sue also loves to talk over you, interrupt continually, and generally disregard whatever it is you are asking her or saying to her. She cannot hear you as she likes to hear herself talk all the time you are trying to make a point or clarify some question.
Key likes to tell you they know how to price and sell– well, in our experience, not so much. They priced a 32″ TV (fairly new) the same price as our solid wood desk, same price as a small bar unit we had– made no sense whatsoever. As far as we can determine, the pricing was random and pulled from thin air.
Overall, a very highly disappointing estate sale, I cannot recommend these people. I see others had a good experience (which was why I selected them), that experience was not shared. We remain highly disappointed with a house full of furniture and items we had planned on selling.
Unless you enjoy dealing with untrustworthy people, and want little sold at your estate sale, I would advise to stay away. Just our experience.
I expect Key will respond and disavow all this– see «lacking in integrity» above. little they say can be relied upon or trusted.
Again, only our experience. I wish it were different, just telling things as they occurred…

We used Key Estate Sales when we had to move my mother into assisted living. After reviewing many different options, we settled on Key based on friends recommendations (and we’ve been to their store in St. Charles).
They were extremely professional and gave great advice on how we should price items (some were unique). We were nervous about whether anyone would show, but they did some great marketing on their FB page and website and it was much better than expected.
They took a stressful situation for us and made it so much better by handling these details. It was a pleasure dealing with Chris and Ces and I would never hesitate to recommend them to anyone else in a similar situation.

If I could give 0 stars I would. I used this company and They were referred to me by another company because Key Estates was closer. After I signed a contract, I barely heard from them! I was constantly tracking them down for appointments and meetings to see the place and set up. I asked them to tell me if they could sell more than $ 5k so that I didn’t have to pay their $ 1500 fee, only the 30%. Christine came and looked at the place and was very cold and unpleasant about the house and what I had to offer. But she insisted she would not have a problem selling anything.
They did not inform me that on the second day of the sale everything is 50% off. So
Of course we did not meet the $ 5k minimum. Also I drove around my neighborhood and there was only a small back road route with a couple of signs the day of pointing to the house. They didn’t even put signs in the major roads or major intersection right off the subdivision.
Also, I was disappointed that when I came to look in on the sale 10 mins before closing, customers where being turned away.
After the estate sale was done, I emailed and called the company to find out what happens next. I NEVER heard back.
This place is a disgrace! Save yourselves from dealing with unprofessional and rude people that are employed and own the company.
I did call back my referral and told them to
Stop referring people here.