First time going to an estate sale??
For you First Timers!
There's a first time for everything and this just may help you feel more comfortable going to "someone's house" to shop. In nearly every case the house is part of an estate where the owner has either moved, gone on to assisted living or has passed away and the family is liquidating the estate. All personal photos, documents and other items directly relating to the original owner have been removed. The house is carefully gone through to assure safety to our customers--contaminants, ammunitions or other items that could accidently harm you have been removed. Everything is carefully sorted, tagged and priced at a fair market price--giving you a bargain and the owner(s) a reasonable return.
First off the sale begins with "numbers", we have many dealers, collectors and avid shoppers who come early to get their line-up number at the front door at usually 8:00am (sales usually starts at 9:00am) then they leave to eat breakfast or get a cup of coffee in preparation for fast and decisive shopping because there is only one of an item and this may well be something that only comes around once in 20 years.
If you decide not to get a number (and most don't), you must honor those who do have numbers and join the end of the line. The line shinks quickly depending on the size of the house--only so many can shop at a time otherwise things get broken and people cannot move. As soon as someone leaves, more customers are let in. Dealers and avid collectors shop quickly and usually are in and out in a big hurry. Standing in line can really be worth it when you find that special something. If you are shopping later in the day, in some cases there still may be a line depending on how "stuffed" a house is, be patient it is well worth it.
Things people look for at estate sales: EVERYTHING! Whether you want a good mower at far below retail price, quality cookware, slightly used but a fraction of store prices, clothing, tools, cleaning supplies, gadgets, appliances, furniture, curtains, china, glassware, ceramics, framed/unframed art work, hardware, recreation items (like camping exercising, skiing, hiking, boating, tred mills, you name it--eventually you will find what you need), cars, trailers, childrens toys and equipment, etc. Collectors look for antiques of all kinds (clothing, furniture, lamps, glass, pottery, ephemera, paintings, coins, books, antique toys, special category items like political buttons and much more).
Items for the sale are in designated areas and areas that are not accessible are blocked or taped off. Please note: bathrooms are not to be used. In a complete clean-out the house may be open from basement to attic. Garage, outdoor buildings and yards are sometimes filled with treasures for you to discover.
Some sales are described as "diggers sale". What to expect is piles of stuff where total clean-up is impossible and items sometimes will be priced as you uncover them--this is especially true about outdoor sheds that may house lumber, fencing, roofing and other materials. Basements may have layers of items stacked and in "as found" state. So be prepared to encounter a bit of messy work by bringing heavy duty gloves and containers like boxes. Caution while digging is a must because these areas of a sale are not free of contaminants, etc. Once you get into estate sales you will enjoy these types of sales the most because you never know what you may find and prices are low accordingly.
Pricing: All things are priced at below fair market value for quick sale within usually two days. Everything is priced either with a sticker, string tag, ink pen or, in the case of books, with a pencil on the inside cover as well as other paper goods. On the tag there may be information regarding the name or manufacturer to save you time searching the item for a mark. Also there may be an "as is" or "x" to indicate the item has some damage and is priced accordingly. The word "lot" indicates a group of related items, example a set of dishes or box of miscellaneous yarns that are sold together for one price.
The first day of the sale prices are as marked, plus bids are taken on higher priced items. The second day prices are reduced and you will be informed when you enter or ask at the cashier desk. If there is a third day, prices will be reduced further. In order to clean out a house, sometimes a "bag sale" is conducted. This happens on the last day during the last few hours. A bag sale is when you agree to pay a certain amount (anywhere from $10 to $2 per bag depending on the sale) and you go throughout the house filling your bag--you can get as many bags as you want. The bag is brown kraft paper grocery sized.
Purchasing: There are sales people in charge if each area of a sale. As you select your items in an area, you must have these items written on a sales slip that you carry with you to the next area. Do not carry items from one area to another without having them written up--this avoids confusion. If an item is removed without being written up, it may be considered stolen by the sales person in charge and a search of everyone present may happen. Making quick decisions is essential so holding something to decide "later" is not acceptable and you may be preventing a serious buyer from purchasing the item. Since the sale is only a few days and all items must be sold--quick decisions are essential--remember this is not a retail store where you browse and take your time to decide.
Jewelry Case Items: Some sales have small to large display cases for small items like jewelry, coines, small figurines, sterling silver items and other small collectibles. There always is a sales person in attendance. Your purchase will be written on a sales slip, put into a small bag with your name and retained by the sales person. You can then retrieve the item(s) from the sales person after showing your sales slip stamped "paid".
Bidding: Almost always bids are taken on higher priced items like vehicles, boats, antiques, furniture, etc. Ask for a bid slip at the cashier and there should also be a posting of rules for bidding. You will be expected to fill in your full name, address and telephone number(s) where you can be contacted at the time bids are processed. Without this information a bid cannot be accepted. Once you have signed you bid, you are obligated to purchase the item at the price you bid if your bid is accepted. A bid is binding. Bids are usually "opened" the last day around noon giving you enought time to collect the item.
Payment/checkout: All sales take cash and most personal/business checks. Sometimes debit/credit cards are accepted. Titles for vehicles are not transferred until a check has cleared same with other purchases over $500 or 1,000 depending on the sale. A cashier is situated close to the exit of the sale and sometimes there is a second check out in the garage or yard. There also may be a checker who will ask to see you paid receipt as you leave. For large items that you are coming back to pick up, you must give your name, telephone number(s) and driver's license and these items must be paid--nothing is held without payment ever. Your items must be picked up during the sale or in some cases at an arranged time during the following week--many times ownership of the house transfers the day after the sale and your items could be trashed--so make sure you pick up at the agreed time.
Etiquette: Always be considerate of others, if there is a line into a room, please respect those ahead of you. If you shop for "smalls", bring your own container for collecting them--no one will "watch" your items for you while you shop and bags are provided for purchased items only. On furniture or larger items the person writing out your sales ticket will put a "sold" tag/sign on the item with your name or some sort of identification. Items must be removed during the sale so plan on arranging your own help for loading into your own vehicle--delivery and labor for moving items is not provided.
Packing your items: Once you have paid for your items, recycled newspaper, grocery paper bags and plastic bags are usually provided. If you have something really special that newspaper print may damage, please be prepared and have appropriate packing materials in your car. Boxes in your trunk to set bags or items will also be very helpful in preventing damage. Be sure to bring packing blankets, rope, tape and other items for transporting furniture or other large items--prevents scratches, dents or breakage.
Warnings: Things to watch out for is: make sure the item is in the condition you want it to be for example a lawn mower. If you want it in running condition (it should say on the tag) or check out for yourself or if you are satified with fixing it yourself, make sure all the necessary parts are there. Always take the time to check--there are no returns or guarantees! Always look over collectibles, glass or pottery to make sure it is in the condition you expect (some things are acceptable with small chips or "hairline" cracks in antiques and are priced accordingly). If you collect certain items, read and study as much as possible before hand so you know that the label you are looking at is authentic or on an unmarked piece knowing the tell-take signs of a certain maker or period. (Don't expect the sales people to help you here because they may not know or the information may not be accurate--they are not appraisers.)
Enjoy - Above all enjoy yourself! You not only save a good deal of money shopping estate sales, but you also get a lot of enjoyment developing a collection, comradery with other collectors or just enjoy the "in line" stories--believe me there are many. Everyone remembers just what sale they got what item and they also remember the house and all the other incidental fun things that may have happened. Gossip may also be present so be forewarned--just remember if you heard it "line lin" is just might not be true!
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