True Tales: The Urn Return

Published

17 years ago

July 2, 2008

I grew up in the family jewelry business.
When my father passed away, I got a small container of his ashes, which I put in the store’s safe. One day an old customer of ours came in and looked at some stone rings. He asked how much the ring was and I told him. He said, “If your father was here, he’d give me a better price.” I went to the safe and got out the container of his ashes and told the customer, “Dad’s in this container, and if you can get him to lower the price, I’ll give it to you.” He laughed so hard that tears came down his face and said, “I’ll take it, I’ll take it.”

? BRUCE P.,
FREMONT, OH

Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless

When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time. "We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them. Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."