SMALL-BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Timely Advice From Crimson Estate Services
•
Insurance Claims: So, you know there has been some damage from the storm, you’re okay with it, and ready to make a purchase. Buyer beware, yet again. Ethically speaking, if someone has been paid by their insurance company to replace something, contractors should NOT be selling salvaged items to make a quick buck. Auction houses will not take items that have already been paid for by insurance claims. If the items are truly salvageable, they should be donating them to local organizations that help people.
Rick Smith with Crimson Estate Services has been a friend of Dellutri Law Group for many years. Recently, we were talking with him about how his market has changed in light of Hurricane Ian and all the damage caused to individuals. While Crimson Estate Services hosts live and online auctions for people, often those who are looking to downsize, he had some great insight if you are thinking about buying something from an individual in SWFL right now. First, licensed auctioneer companies are heavily regulated. They must be licensed auctioneers, bonded, have certifications and schooling, and need to be licensed as secondhand dealers. So, if you are planning to purchase from an estate sale, make sure the company hosting it is legit. If so, you have very little to worry about.
Next, if you are purchasing used items without a company, there are some things you really need to look out for, post-Ian: • Hurricane Damage: Obviously, if you’re purchasing anything that may have come from a flood zone, you need to make sure there is no water damage. Saltwater from the surge is enough to wreak havoc on the smallest of electronics to the largest of vehicles. Even minor water damage can have HUGE consequences.
•
Stolen Property: This is a big concern for auction houses right now and they are doing everything they can to make sure this does not happen. You’ve likely heard all the horror stories of looters being busted. What you haven’t seen, is all the people who managed to do it and got away with it. Pay attention to red flags. If it feels too good to be true, it just might be accurate.
To learn more about Rick Smith and Crimson Estate Services, please contact him at 941-380-7688.
A referral is the greatest gift we can receive from a client or fellow business! Last month we had ... • 43 referrals from friends, family, or previous clients • 24 returning clients for a new matter • 11 referrals from other attorneys • 8 referrals from doctors and other professionals • We sent out 105 referrals to our trusted referral partners. A Huge Thank-You to Our Referral Partners!
... continued from Cover
Of course, eventually I came around. I realized our website could be a resource for people who need information, and it has grown into a massive asset for our clients. Now, we put just as much energy into that website as we do any other form of advertising or marketing. Likewise, when clients first asked if we could text them, I was against it. But today our team sends more text messages than we do emails! We’ll embrace any technology that helps us help our clients. If we didn’t, we never would have been able to provide that client in the car accident with peace of mind at one of the worst moments of her life. Reflecting on all of this reminds me of the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” That may have been true at one time, but it’s no longer true today! This old dog is ready, willing, and able to learn all of the new tricks he can to better serve our clients. We have learned with all this new tech if you or someone you love calls us from an accident scene, our team springs into action as fast as a text can travel.
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” HEBREWS 11:1
–Carmen Dellutri
DellutriLawGroup.com | 3
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator