Even though I'm a relatively healthy geezer I have put together a Final Wishes document so that if I suddenly die my wife and my kids will have some guidance about what to do with me and my stuff.
I'm pretty sure my kids don't want any of my stereo equipment. It is big, heavy, and complicated (my amp weighs 185 lbs and my speakers weigh 170 lbs each). I also have over 4000 CDs and 1000 records, and they don't want those either.
I have written a couple pages of instructions on what to do with my audio equipment and albums. Regarding my system, I have lots of gear and I have instructed them to contact the audio shop I do business with and ask if they would be willing to make an offer for the whole shebang and take it away. They sell quite a bit of used equipment and the owner has signaled that this is something they would do. I have also given my heirs an option to sell the equipment individually (I kept the boxes and manuals for everything) and I've told them how to do it online. If they want to go through the trouble to maximize the value this would be the route to go.
My music collection contains quite a few valuable recordings - both vinyl and CD. I have noted the labels and types of media that are valuable and should not be given to the goodwill. I also explained that record stores will sometimes buy a full collection but they would only be interested if the valuable titles went with the collection. In either case the valuable recordings (probably a few hundred) need to be listed and noted. I also explained how to use Discogs. Someday I may actually get around to putting my collection into Discogs which would make the whole process easier.
I can't bear to to think of them having an estate sale for my gear. I've spent too much time collecting it and curating it to have it sell for pennies on the dollar. I think my kids are also greedy enough that they would take the time to get fair prices.
I'm pretty sure my kids don't want any of my stereo equipment. It is big, heavy, and complicated (my amp weighs 185 lbs and my speakers weigh 170 lbs each). I also have over 4000 CDs and 1000 records, and they don't want those either.
I have written a couple pages of instructions on what to do with my audio equipment and albums. Regarding my system, I have lots of gear and I have instructed them to contact the audio shop I do business with and ask if they would be willing to make an offer for the whole shebang and take it away. They sell quite a bit of used equipment and the owner has signaled that this is something they would do. I have also given my heirs an option to sell the equipment individually (I kept the boxes and manuals for everything) and I've told them how to do it online. If they want to go through the trouble to maximize the value this would be the route to go.
My music collection contains quite a few valuable recordings - both vinyl and CD. I have noted the labels and types of media that are valuable and should not be given to the goodwill. I also explained that record stores will sometimes buy a full collection but they would only be interested if the valuable titles went with the collection. In either case the valuable recordings (probably a few hundred) need to be listed and noted. I also explained how to use Discogs. Someday I may actually get around to putting my collection into Discogs which would make the whole process easier.
I can't bear to to think of them having an estate sale for my gear. I've spent too much time collecting it and curating it to have it sell for pennies on the dollar. I think my kids are also greedy enough that they would take the time to get fair prices.