Estate Sales. Transitions. Concierge Services.

Estate Sale Shopping 101:

• Estate sales are great places to buy everything from rare collectibles to everyday items. Need a stainless steel colander or an 1870s Empire sofa? Need new-to-you furniture? Outfitting a dorm, apartment, AirBNB, vacation home? Love Department 56, Hummels, fountain pens, costume jewelry? Shop estate sales! Crafters and Makers and wedding planners find loads of supplies with us.

• Estate sales differ greatly from garage sales. In a garage sale format, the owners WANT to get rid of excess items and toss the items on tables outside. In an estate sale format, owners, or their families must liquidate items because the property is being sold. This difference is huge and provides the potential for shoppers to find endless bargains on high quality pre-loved items. This is why there is such a difference between garage sale and estate sale pricing. Think the clothes your kids outgrew versus an entire closet of like-new clothes! Everything is researched, priced, set up by departments and the inventory is extensive. You cannot get garage sale prices on most estate sale items but you will find much higher quality items at great prices! We used to hear “ I can get that at Goodwill for $1” all the time. Not anymore when even Dollar Tree is $1.25.

• Most estate sale companies take credit, debit, cash or all sorts of electronic payments. However, some only allow cash payments. Read the sale details before you go so you won’t miss out.

• Most estate sale companies no longer provide bags or wrapping supplies. Keep some in your car so that you can safely transport your purchases.

• Most companies do not hold items without payment simply because folks typically forget to come get the items that could have been sold to someone else. So, if there is something you really want, call and buy it!

• “No Early Birds” means no one will be allowed entry before the start time listed. Always take a number or get on the entry list. Most companies will not answer pricing questions over the phone or via text during the sale. They just do not have time to stop and take a call while there are 30 people onsite shopping.

• Further discounts are usually not available on the first day of sale and deep discounts are typically not available on items under $100 on any sale day. Companies are starting to have a $1 minimum due to the coin shortage issue that started during COVID. Some companies will hold your bid for a lower price on an item but will not call you if the items sells for higher than you bid. You should only expect a call back if your bid is accepted and you should be prepared to pay the price you bid at that time.

• Large furniture sales are really stagnant lately so if you see a piece you really like, definitely make an offer or leave a bid. You are likely to get lucky!! Be ready to come pick up your piece as soon as your bid is accepted.

• While the last hour of a 3 day estate sale does offer a lot of bargains, the items that you really wanted are not likely to be there. Don’t be disappointed to find the risk of waiting did not pay off. Let the estate sale company know you are looking for certain items or collect certain things and they will keep you in the loop if you are a regular shopper.

• Do take care while on site at a sale to watch your step. It is very easy to trip or fall in an unfamiliar place and the last thing anyone wants is an injury. That spoils the fun of a day out shopping. If you have mobility issues, most estate sale companies will have staff available to help bring you items or escort you around the property. Same thing with bathroom needs or a place to sit and rest. Just ask!

• Ettiquette and Such:

• While we all have our opinions, it is bad manners to criticize the interior of the home or the homeowner’s taste whilst shopping. It also makes other shoppers uncomfortable. Please respect the home you’ve been invited into as a guest.

• Negotiate prices with a staff member prior to going to the check out. This will speed up the check out process for everyone and you will avoid embarrassment for being asked to step out of line to deal with your questions. Always be kind to the check-out clerk! They might be the company owner and the one person who can lower prices.

• Every shopper is equal at an estate sale. Dealers, resalers, buyers, designers, collectors, bargain hunters, grannies, teens…..no one is entitled to special consideration. You can disagree with pricing or policies but you cannot be inappropriate in a privately owned property. Mind your temper and be patient. You will have more fun and meet great people, too. There are security plans in place and angry shoppers have been removed from sales by law enforcement quite often. Don’t expect the same level of tolerance with bad behavior you’d see at WalMart at an estate sale. Most companies will not hesitate to call 911!

• Everyone knows but it seems to need repeating, switching price tags is illegal in most states. Most companies will not sell items that are missing a price tag or they will put it aside to price again and set it out later. A lot of companies now use mini security cameras all over the sale property as theft prevention.

• Please don’t hide items in cabinets, closets, bathtubs for half-price day. Staff typically find them and return them to their original places. It’s silly and we typically know who did the hiding.

• The proceeds of most estate sales go directly to the client who is usually an elderly person, a person with medical issues, or the family of someone who has passed away. A small portion of the proceeds go to the estate liquidation company which is typically 35% of profits to pay for staff time, advertising and supplies. Therefore, stealing from small businesses and elderly or medically fragile people is just the worst. It is sad to even have to mention the issues but theft is getting worse every year.