Ask MCM: Estate Sale Shopping Advice
It’s been a while since I dated, but if I were in the dating world, I think it would feel something like the estate sales.
If you do it all the time, you probably hate it.
If you don’t ever do it, you’re terrified because you don’t know the rules.
But it does hold a certain illusive potential that is undeniable.
So, you scroll through photos getting your hopes up with no idea what’s on the other end - and worse yet, who else has their eye on that same treasure.
You put yourself together, at a time you’d rather be sleeping. Filled with anxiety about about all the unknowns and no idea whether it will be worth it.
But a tiny glimmer of hope that burns bright enough to get you there.
A perfectly preserved 1960s time-capsule owned by a woman who covered her couches in plastic and was allergic to cats.
or you will get trampled by gatekeeping collectors offering top dollar for a bunch of garbage and you will swear off estate sales yet again.
But here’s what keeps me coming back to Estate Sales:
Those illusive time capsule opportunities
Respectful voyeurism
Occasionally prices you would never find online or in stores
Thrill of the hunt, homes are filled with stuff you may have never seen or heard of before
The estate sale crowd is a fun crowd, the right ones are filled with other respectful vintage lovers and estate sale teams that work hard to make everything run smoothly
It sounds like you are all looking for a little advice on how to start or finesse your relationship with estate sales, so here is the only advice column I am qualified to write answering your burning questions.
Dear Mid-century Millennial,
Q. This might sound dumb, but what makes an estate sale an estate sale?
A.
If you search Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, you may find all sorts of situations called estate sales. So no, not a dumb question.
An Estate Sale, or a "Tag Sale" in some regions, is a way of liquidating the belongings of an estate. These are usually bigger than garage or yard sales.
They are used when someone is in need of a way to sell items due to bigger life events. Most of the larger, more formal sales are run by liquidation companies and are more organized and professional than your everyday garage sale. Estatesales.net does not allow casual garage sale posts.
Q. I see people sharing the amazing things they find at estate sales, but where do they even find out about these sales?
A.
There's no estate sale fight club that you aren't cool enough to know about. I promise. Anyone can attend estate sales. You just have to know where to look, and here's where I look:
(disclaimer, US-centric answer):
Estatesales.net is the most comprehensive resource where estate sale companies list their upcoming sales. Listings often include instructions about the sale and photo previews. Depending on the sale, they will post the address within days prior to the sale.
Estate Sale Mailing Lists, websites and social media accounts will provide the best early access and inside scoop on sales. This is my favorite resource and it can be easy to get started by googling your local area + estate sales, navigating to their website and signing up for email lists and following social media accounts. Whenever you attend an estate sale in-person, it’s a good idea to ask the sellers if they have a mailing list you are able to join. Some companies may be old school and keep an email list from their sales.
Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace is still a common source for one-off estate sales, more likely run by the family. These may function more like a garage sale which can be a great recipe for making deals but will also likely be less organized.
Estate sale signs are an old school, but still valuable approach.
Q. How do I find an estate sale that I'll like? I feel like I keep striking out.
A.
Welcome to the world of treasure hunting, my dear. I believe in some complicated structure of needing some losses before you can win big but there are a few strategies to narrow the playing field:
Most listings on estatesales.net include photos, look closely at listings and see if the vibe, era, or even prices, if they are posted (a sneaky tip, you can occasionally zoom in on price tags to get a general idea of how things are priced at the sale). This can give you a good idea if the sale is up your alley.
Get to know your local estate sale companies, you will likely find that they post key details about sales in advance that will tip you off to keywords in your style.
Let go of expectations and just have fun. Sometimes I don't go to shop, I just like to look at houses with cool design and end up finding something unexpected.
Q. I never find the cool stuff and when I do someone always buys it before I can. Should I just give up?
A.
With that attitude, maybe. But in all seriousness, I think if you can find a way to enjoy estate sales without putting too much pressure on it - you'll start having a lot more fun.
And, I genuinely believe a mindset shift will ultimately lead to more scores. Talk to an estate liquidator and I promise they will assure you that this world is full of enough crap for everyone.
As a hobbyist, at most sales, I go in with the positive assumption we're all looking for different things and that makes it feel less competitive and stressful even if it might be willful ignorance from time to time.
Q. When I see estate sales posted on estatesales.net sometimes there's no address or details about where to go or what to do. What gives?
A.
Most estate sale listings will update address and details closer, most likely within 24 hours of the sale. Be sure to read the entire listing when you check back for the address, they will usually add important information about parking, how the queue will be managed, rules and other details that can help you feel more prepared for the sale especially if it's your first time.
Q. What's all this noise about signing-up for an estate sale or being on a list? Am I supposed to know what this illusive list is or who has it?
A.
Every estate sale is different, but most sales function first come, first served with a few ways of managing this:
Sign-up list at door: posted time on listing when the list is available, arrive and put your name on the list and be called in order once the sale is open
Number system: Get a physical number at a posted time and return at the beginning of the sale, if you miss your slot you typically are out of luck and get a new number.
Most common, patiently stand in line in advance of the start time.
Less common, they may charge a door fee if the estate sale is super exclusive or reservation based
Less common, but favorite: time slots and private appointments advertised by the local company directly through social media and mailing lists
Q. How do I know what to expect and can I negotiate?
A.
This will depend a lot sale to sale. It may seem silly to mention, but I've seen a lot of jerks in line and my best advice (with a little inside scoop from a local guru) is that being humble, kind and positive when you make your offer can go a long way.
If items are marked with prices and it's a popular sale, they may be less likely to haggle on the first day of the sale.
If items aren't marked, either by accident or no prices are marked at all, keep a running list of what you're willing to pay for the item and make an offer.
If you see a bid list by an item, it works like an auction and you can add your name with your bid to the sheet as long as you intend to honor it if it wins.
When buying a bundle of items and near the end of the sale, most sellers are open to offers at steeper discounts.
Q. Is there any etiquette that is good to know before attending my first estate sale?
A.
The fact that you are asking means you are already a considerate human. You go, Glen Coco. But as a matter of fact, yes there's a few more things to keep in mind:
Respect the signs, if it says "Keep Out" well, keep out. You have been invited into someone's private home and treat it as such.
Don't hoard, which basically means: don't start a pile with a bunch of items you are considering just to hold them for yourself while you shop. If there is a holds area, use it for items you have good intentions to purchase.
Be patient and kind, seriously. Just don't be a jerk. Any nuanced estate sale rules you don't already know can be made up for by being kind and asking for clarification with humility.
Q. Should I NOT bring anything to an estate sale? Is there anything I SHOULD bring to an estate sale?
A.
No hostess gift required, however I don't think it would work against you. Sometimes I get tripped up by "we won't supply bags or boxes" in combination with "please don't bring your large purses and bags" but here's how I handle it:
Have a bag or box available to carry-out small items, I usually have a small purse with a reusable bag or two inside and keep a box or bin in my car.
A plan for picking up and moving large items, sometimes there are helpers but you'd be smart to have a game plan to get your big treasures home before you buy.
Young kids may not be a good mix with estate sales, especially when space is cramped and breakable items are packed in.
Pencil and paper can be helpful to add up your items and make check-out roll smoothly especially if you are buying many items.
Austin, Texas AREA Estate Sales
Estate Services of Austin my personal favorite sales so far, like this one
Full listing of Austin Estate Liquidators on estatesales.net