Gemsmakers · Antique Dealer Tools
Estate Sale Discount Schedule and Revenue Calculator
Estate sale pricing often changes through the event: early-day buyers may pay full price, while later days may use negotiated discounts to move remaining stock. This model runs two strategies against the same inventory list so you can compare expected revenue and remaining stock before deciding how aggressively to discount.
Calculator
Enter your figures below. Results update from the assumptions you supply; check your agreement, fee schedule, and local requirements before making a decision.
How to use this tool
- List items as: Item | quantity | starting unit price | cost per unit. Quantities are whole pieces.
- Enter a daily schedule for Strategy A and Strategy B as: Day number | markdown % from previous price | sell-through % of remaining stock.
- Enter total labour and other event costs. The calculator applies each day’s price change to every item, estimates whole-unit sales from remaining stock, and totals revenue and unsold stock.
- Compare net proceeds after the cost of sold goods and event costs. Sell-through values are assumptions, not predicted demand.
Calculation method
Each day, unit price = previous unit price × (1 − markdown percentage). Estimated units sold = rounded remaining units × daily sell-through percentage, capped at remaining quantity (with at least one unit when a positive rate is entered and stock remains). Net proceeds = sales revenue − cost basis of sold items − labour − other costs.
Worked example
A 100 item initially priced at 50, with a 10% markdown, becomes 45 before the day’s estimated sell-through is applied. A later 20% markdown applies to 45 and becomes 36, not 40.
Important assumptions and limitations
- Daily sell-through assumptions should be conservative and should reflect the category, foot traffic, location, and event length.
- The model treats discounts as sequential and rounds expected units to whole pieces. Actual sales can differ significantly.
- Unsold inventory value is shown at final scheduled prices; that is not the same as cash recovered or guaranteed future value.
Frequently asked questions
How is each markdown applied?
Each markdown applies to the current scheduled price from the previous day. This compounds reductions as a real markdown ladder usually does.
What does sell-through mean here?
It is the percentage of the remaining quantity you assume will sell on that day, rounded to whole units for a practical inventory forecast.
Are labour costs deducted from both strategies?
Yes. The same entered event labour and other costs are deducted from each strategy for a like-for-like comparison.
Does unsold stock count as revenue?
No. Unsold inventory remains unsold and is reported separately at its final scheduled ticket value.
Can actual revenue exceed the estimate?
Yes. Results depend on visitor numbers, bargaining, item mix, weather, and the actual willingness of buyers to pay.
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