How to Shop Estate Sales
2. Play hookie from work.
Offer your own price. If something is marked $100, it’s not unreasonable to ask $75. In my case, I was offering $50! And the only reason is because as we were leaving the first time around, the estate sale rep whispered, “You know, tomorrow everything is going to be 50% off….” Because I knew that everything would be cheaper tomorrow, I count-offered on a $700 pool table (retailed at $4,000), and the estate sale rep sold it to me for $400! (Although lugging that baby home, uuugghhhhhhh. I didn’t know slate could be so heavy!)
One reader pointed out that taking a friend along can slow you down, but can also be beneficial if you need some help with snagging an item. I guess it just depends–on your situation, and on the friend you bring along! Me, personally, I prefer to hunt alone rather than in a pack ;-).
7. Buy things you can resell or give to friends.
Even if you’re there to find things for yourself, always keep an eye out for things you could easily sell on eBay or vintage things you can sell on Etsy, or give to friends. These shoes were only $5.00, and although they fit (I’m a size 10), they are a size bigger and a little floppy. I can easily sell these on eBay!
EDITED: ADDITIONAL ESTATE SALE TIPS!
9. Take notes.
Sometimes you’ll find gems at the bottom of a box. Keep digging! Doing be afraid to pull things out, if necessary.
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Janice says
I just love all of this good advice! One of the first really nice estate sales I went to was one I found on estatesales.net. About an hour away from me. I saw a paining and a few other things I wanted to explore. I took along a friend & we both had small suv’s. The painting I wanted was a little more that I wanted to pay. I took off into other areas of the home. My friend both the painting! She made the guy a deal & he took it! She did get another item along with the painting, and that was her bargaining tool. We purchased so much, we had to drive back home & get the empty suv. We had so much fun that day. It is a special memory for me, because that friend passed away a few years after. Now I do enjoy going alone, because I can concentrate on what I am there for. Thanks so much & I am so glad I found your blog!
Linda L Weeks says
Boy, you and I are cut from the same cloth. I like making good use of my time, and if I’ve simply gone with a friend, it’s great to be with that friend, but it’s not the same as all you can get done by oneself! I just enjoy being with my buddies in an entirely different way! I’d rather focus on them when we’re together, instead of being transfixed on a salt cellar in mint green. But boy you oughta see how much I can get accomplished by myself!
Scott says
Great information thank you for taking the time.
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