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Etsy Insights: Estate sale secrets
I'm Sue, of Vintage Rescue Squad. I've been selling vintage since 2006—on etsy since 2009. In anticipation of early retirement, I knew I needed to establish my online presence early. Three more years to go!
As vintage dealers, we have loads of sources: thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, etc. But one of the least-known to the public are estate sales. Normally, they are run by estate-sale companies who are selling the contents of a home following a death. Sales typically take place in a home.
If you happen upon one that is just your style (kitchenalia? militariana? vintage clothing from the 60s?), it can be a goldmine! You can fill up your Etsy shop with a broad selection of niche products, which is always good! Many years ago, I bought a motherload of ballroom-dancing trophies. That was fun.
However, if you're just starting out at estate sales, get out of that yard sale mindset now. You will rarely find things for 25 cents. You'll still pay less than retail or at an antique store, but this isn’t a thrift store. Similarly, many estate sales are not the place to haggle for bargain prices.
My modus operandi:
- Start in the area of the house where you expect to find the most gems. For me, it’s the basement and attic first.
- Early on, I establish a pile up at the register and loudly say, "Looks like I'm buying a LOT! Is it OK if I start a pile right here with you?" Now they know I'm a serious buyer, and they remember me. Or I might proclaim, "Ooooo, this looks like my kind of sale!"
- Even if I don't buy anything, I ask if the person working the sale if they have other upcoming sales, letting them know I'm a serious buyer. Estate-sale people can be your BFFs.
- If you’re budget conscious, or specialize in something that is less popular with the hard-core dealers, definitely go back on the last day of the sale—everything is usually half price!
What sourcing secrets or tips can you share?
StudioAvai
·6 years agoI use my mum's materials box, charity stores, The Costume Bead Jewellery Company and Jilly Beads.
Lionfishvintage
·6 years agoYes I agree with others here that we must be polite and respectful at all sales, estates, garage sales , thrift stores.
We should be that way all the time anyway!
mopata
·6 years agoI sometimes help a local estate agent when she has items that are out of her comfort zone. She had a really great estate a few years ago that was from a man who had been a nose gunner on a B-24 in WWII. They found a box with his painted flight jacket, medals, ribbons & etc. He had never talked much about it and the family didn't seem to be too familiar with the stuff that was there. I gave them an idea as to the value and what I would pay, buying for resale. I also explained to them what everything meant and what he had to go through to get them. They decided to keep the items in the family, which is what I was hoping for. I would have liked to have the stuff because it would be a super easy resale but, not at the expense of a family losing their history.
TheVintagePorch
·6 years agoone of the items from the latest estate sale I brought home was a folded American flag in a clear plastic case, it was folded as they do at military funerals. I brought it home, opened it, and found a soldier's picture and his name that was killed in action. Also the map of the cemetery where he is buried, and the location of his grave, and date of burial. The most emotional part was there were 2 empty shell casings from the rifle salute from the graveside service. Fortunately, the name of the funeral home (a small town near me) was on the plastic case for the flag, hubs and I are taking a short trip to the funeral home this week to see if the funeral home has info on the family members, hoping to return it to them. The family of the estate sale is not the same family, they probably found it at a sale and brought it home just as I did. Could not find any info on the internet about family, or even an obit. But hopefully, the funeral home will be able to help me get it back to them.
SewCraftPatternShop
·6 years agoBeing on the other end of the sale, having your loved one's stuff sold for back taxes, unpaid bills, and medical upkeep in nursing homes, I have a very very very sour taste in my mouth when it comes to the buyers who scour thru for the lowest prices to sell high and carry out armloads of "nabs" and "steals". It can be heartbreaking to be involved with the disassembly and breaking up of a person's lifetime of collections and belongings. These items have a story behind them. Much of the stuff came down thru the years and thru the ancestry of the family and were loved. Many times the family does not want to part with the stuff or has no earthly idea of the real worth. We were forced to accept whatever we could get just to have liquidation and tossed many things into the trash that were daily used for many years. It's not a happy occasion for so many. So many times the sales are forced if one must deal with the unpaid or pay for assisted care etc. and to keep things going as best one can. After paying the estate people and the bills etc there is very little left for the family members. While others (resellers etc) profit at this expense. I, for one, cannot buy anything vintage anymore after parting with my parents estate, my husband's parents estate, and my aunt's estate all within a span of two years time. I just hope just a few of the valuable things went to loving homes. That's all I can hope for. We only kept the family photographs and one or two very simple items of sentimental value.
stuartroadvintage
·6 years agoI used to go to lots of estate sales but lately most of them don't have anything vintage or are too expensive!
Thanks for the tips though!
SuzsCollectibles
·6 years agoDepending on where you live and what is available Auctions are great places to shop for the unique. I have gotten some great items at great prices but you have to find the right Auction House and you have to watch your pricing. You can get great deals at Auctions.
ValleyRings
·6 years agoIn the UK it's known as 'house clearance', you pay somebody with a van to clear the contents of the house and most of it is disposed of (usually to the rubbish tip) or sometimes it's taken to an auction house where it's sold off for peanuts unless it's something special. There is an auction house near me where house clearance items can turn up and you can pick up some bargains. In the past few months I've picked up a lovely grandfather clock (£35), a Hammond organ(£10), boxes of china (£1) (resold on ebay), a leather 3 piece suite (£22), boxes of old British coins (£1 upwards) and whole load of other stuff. With the coronavirus in full swing the next auction (in 2 days) will probably be less attended and items will be cheaper. But I only have so much space.
HandmadeCollectionz
·6 years agoThere are some really great tips in this thread!
I used to go to estate sales every weekend and sometimes during the week, first with my dad and then with my mom for many years.
They are both gone now, I'm not feeling that great anymore and I have lost interest but I still get the emails (with photos of the items) from the people who run them.
BigLittleJournals
·6 years agoI only shop estate sales for stocking my shop and usually go to three or four a week. I know what I'm looking for when I go, but sometimes I'm surprised by a special treasure!
mopata
·6 years agoI have been using Estate Sales as a primary source for years. There are a few patterns that you will come to notice after a while.
1. Different Estate Agents tend to have different approaches to pricing. Some price to get as much as possible sold the first day. These are the sales that are worth being early for. Others seem determined to get almost full market price. These are the sales that you can probably hold off on until the last day. It takes a while to figure out who is who but, if you ask around, you can usually get a good idea.
2. The best stuff tends to be concentrated in certain parts of town. There are neighborhoods where you know that there is unlikely to be anything of much value (although these sales can sometimes surprise you). There are some neighborhoods where the stuff in the attic and basement may be better than what most people have in their living rooms. You should focus on these neighborhoods but, always keep an open mind about the potential of the others.
3. If the Estate Sale is shown on line with photos, you should devote some serious time to research the night before the sale, especially on items that are out of your normal comfort zone. Knowledge is power. However, on sale day, don't get so focused on the items you researched that you overlook "targets of opportunity". Some of my best purchases were items that weren't even pictured or advertised.
4. Dress like you are cleaning your attic or garage. Some of these houses are pretty gross. However, there are a lot of diamonds in the rough under all that dirt and dust if you can look past it.
5. On bigger ticket items, some Agents will accept offers in the last hour on the next to last day so they don't have to get half price on the last day. You can sometimes get an item for 60% to 70% of the asking price this way.
6. Be polite to the people working the sale and to the other buyers. An Agent who recognizes you as someone who causes problems is less likely to get a deal. I've even seen particularly rude or aggressive buyers kicked out of sales empty handed.
7. Don't fall in love with a piece - that is a sure recipe for overpaying. This is true for Estate Sales, Auctions or anywhere else you buy. It's business and you have to be pretty mercenary with your approach if you are going to be successful on the back end.
AuntSusansCloset
·6 years agoI briefly considered hosting an estate sale from a large home where the deceased lived for over 60 years, but decided it would be too big of a job.
If I had done it, what pitfalls would I have encountered? I wondered specifically about theft and personal security.
GraceMarionCollects
·6 years agoThe estate sales I go to post pics online - For me I find it helpful to scope out the photos paying particular attention to the items that aren't the main focus - looking at all items on the piece of furniture, on the ground, hanging on the walls or in glass cabinets. This also helps determine which sale to start at if there's more than one in my area.
I am only able to go on the last day (half price!) so I also look for clues in the photos where the item might be i.e. bedroom, basement, attic etc.
Don't be afraid to ask - many of the folks waiting to get in on the last day have already visited days before - I've found they're nice and will tell you which way to head if you're looking for a particular place on the property.
Side note: If you have allergies be prepared for potential damp basements/cellars/out buildings, previous pets, dust, mold, rodent dropping etc.
AnchorRoadVintage
·6 years agoI love estate sales! Aside from my personal collections that I’ve been selling off, they are my major source of goods for my shop.
My favorite type of estate sale is one in an older home where they say the family has lived there for x number of years. Newer homes are less likely to have as many vintage items as the owners probably throw out or sell things as they move.
Learn which companies are likely to have a more or less clean sale, and which companies will do any disaster of a home. Be super careful entering a really crowded hoarder home-I had a cupboard hit me in the head because there was no room to move.
Be prepared to dig. You may uncover a gold mine. Also, carry hand sanitizer.
pHashIONpassION
·6 years agoVRS,
Thanks so much for starting this thread. My family plans to organize several estate sales this summer. We plan to host
the sales in the garage. These comments and tips are so helpful for the other side - hosting an estate sale!!
MM
BlueBirdPrettyGifts
·6 years agoEstate sales are a lot of fun. But when I go, I have to set myself a limit on spending, because one can easily forget about it, in the middle of running from point A to point B, and excitedly piling stuff up for check-out! Another thing that is hard is to acquire the expertise needed to determine the value of an item (with this, having a smart phone or iPad with you can help); and yet another to try to view things from a potential buyer's viewpoint and decide whether there will be enough interest in the item. I enjoy the hunting part the most, not so much the listing part - and even found a few items over the years that I would simply not want to part with.
BB
FenderGemsNCrystals
·6 years agoI love family run estate sales. They are a little more difficult to locate but the middle man is cut out, the expertise is lost and they just want to clear out the house.
dirtcouture
·6 years agoI'm in Southern California, so we have to be on the lookout for estate sale managers who "salt the sale." That means you've got lots of vintage, homeowner-owned stuff there, but the manager also brings in cheap new products (like oil paintings, accessories and crystal) and tries to pass it off as old. Buyer beware.
WhatsNewPussycat1
·6 years agoIts kind of cool since the advent of American Pickers on TV the huge influx of folks going to hit the big one on the internet. Over the years the faces and the names have changed,but the mentality remains the same. They either run out of money run out of room or in most cases don't have the money to start with and just sit up on the porch and bark while the big dogs run by...
PBsVintageAndMore
·6 years agoI agree, you are definitely not going to find thrift store or garage sale prices at estate sales, however, you may or may not find a real gem. The thing with estate sales is that often times, if there are real valuables in the lot they will call in specialist before the sale and sell them beforehand. I have been to a couple where this occurred and it was very disappointing. Tips for getting a better price...note the item you are interested in, do not keep coming back to it, and do not be overly enthusiastic about it, just keep an eye on it and if it doesn't sale the first day, they will most likely mark it down the second (this especially works if the item is a bit on the pricey side, but you do risk it not being there when you return.) Don't be afraid to negotiate, some may not agree, but you can negotiate at estate sales too, some will participate and some will not... The last two estate sales I went to, I had a good experience and a bad experience: the first one, they wanted to get rid of everything and did not care how much they made, and we bought beautiful things very cheap. The second one, the estate sale individual had called in an appraiser and a auction house two days before the sale and removed everything of value and left very little for the pickings...they negotiated, but not far from the original pricing. We purchased some real beautiful pieces for a couple of dollars, and my friend received two large and expensive crystal vases for free!
romaarellano
·6 years agoI love estate sales. For years I thought they were too expensive for those of us who sell vintage. Then I learned a system. I go on Day 1, and based on prices, I'll decide whether to go back on the last day. Recently I was first in line on the last day for some fantastic Native American jewelry. I passed on to my customers the killer prices (75% off) and most of those items sold within days of listing them in my shop.
Generally we pickers know which estate sale companies have good prices and which over-price. And we know which neighborhoods have great finds in mid century, Native American/Southwestern, etc. I'm selective as to which companies I go to, and I specifically seek out the neighborhoods with super charming Southwestern, or the little viejos who had religious statues, or the hip architectural mid century items. Plus, it's pretty easy to connect with estate sale company owners enough to get cards and numbers; I will even call the day before and ask, "Is this MY kind of estate sale?" The owners know my style and will tell me whether I need to be there or not.
hopeandjoyhome
·6 years agoWent to 3 this weekend . I couldn't make day one and day 2 there was not much left! I even hit my fav antique store and got a couple buys on the way home. Still regretting some chairs I passed up for shows.
hopeandjoyhome
·6 years agoYou can research a lot of sales online. You get to a point that you can tell by looking that it will be "your sale" or not... but there is probably at least something at most..but you need to figure out if it worth the mileage. Get there early. Go on day one and back on day 2 and back on day 3 if it is a good sale. There might be underpriced treasures on day one...they won't be there on day 2! If they allow totes, bring one. Some provide boxes. Use the save table. Make sure to not leave a treasure out unguarded..there are some I won't put on the save area or will bury in the box. Be polite. If you are a regular and the estate company knows you and likes you and you are buying a lot you may get better prices even on day one. ( that varies) Get to know the estate companies and how they roll. Some never let anyone in early ( my preference as at least you KNOW) and some will randomly start early..great if you are there early..not if you aren't! Peruse the sale photos to get a feel of what you are most interested in and what room it might be in. Home layouts are very similar. You can ask the show runners if they remember seeing where X is and they will usually tell you..so you are not in the bedrooms when it is in the basement. I like going with my husband as we can divide and concur. He takes the basement, garage and any sheds and I do the rest and then we switch and give each other a bad time about what you missed.
FenderGemsNCrystals
·6 years agoI have specialized in selling estate mineral collections for years. Early in my career I started doing local mineral and gem shows solely to advertise that I was buying. (Turns our sales were great). As I became more expert I offered my appraisal services to the estate sale companies and offered free appraisals to local club members.
AnniesVintageRedone
·6 years agoBe kind and familiar to the folks running/working the sales. Always greet with a "Good Morning"
As I've become a regular, they know what I buy and direct me to where I want to start. Re: the linen closet/ cedar chest is waiting for you!
Half price day is how I shop.
Never be an asshat and talk smack about the sellers or the buyers, it only makes you look bad.
Be courteous to other buyers and respectful to their piles and baskets full of treasures. I had a bag of sewing notions sitting on a table right next to me and I'm adding to it when someone wanted MY bag and started to unload it. She got a WTF.