12 Secrets to Shopping Estate Sales, According to Pro Pickers
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
It's no secret that we're very into antiques around here. Whether we're shopping for vintage items online, embracing vintage-inspired decorating trends, or planning a trip to the country's largest antiques show, we're always on the hunt for our next one-of-a-kind find. (We even have a whole newsletter devoted to the subject—you've signed up, right?!)
It's a given, then, that we also can't pass up a good estate sale. However, even though we've learned plenty of antiquing lessons in the wild, estate sales have their own best practices, and there are a few strategies that will help make them well worth your while.
Know your planners.
"Every estate sale company is different, so it’s important to know that all of them have different rules," says Evan Owens, who has worked alongside her mom in the estate sale world for about ten years. (Evan, who is also a film director, is even writing a scripted series on the subject!) For example, some use a numbering system to hold your place in line, while others operate on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The relationship also comes in handy: "A pleasant conversation can go a long way!" says Evan. "There are some customers we've met that have ended up being our closest friends and there are some that we hope to never see again!" (Evan insists she's just kidding.) If you're lucky enough to fall into the former category, a seller may even be willing to tuck an item aside for you, or alert you to upcoming sales you may find of interest.
Carrie Brock of Nashville-based design firm The Simple Sketchbook is also no stranger to the world of estate sales. "I started shopping them as a teenage—tablecloths were my gateway drug!" Carrie, whose whole home is outfitted with estate sale wares, says to get on the e-mail list of the person running the sales. It's not only practical—it may be economical. "Many estate sale companies provide discounts to people on the email list," she says.
Do your online diligence.
Designer, artist, and estate sale enthusiast Hillary Einwick suggests searching estatesales.net for sales in your area. "You can create an automated weekly e-mail with sales that fit your criteria," she says. The site also has a “treasure tracker” tool which allows you to save search terms (think "Pyrex" or "antique secretary)" and get alerts when those items are available.
Hillary—whose best estate sale find was an antique bowfront chest for $400— also says she likes to browse any online listings a few days before the sale and screenshot items she's interested in so that she has a visual shopping checklist. (Yes, these days many sellers offer a sneak peek of what's to come.) Psst: Be sure to zoom in—you never know what's hiding in the background.
Respect the rules.
Speaking of those aforementioned rules, Evan notes any posted rules are probably there for a reason. "For example, we don't allow people to use the bathroom," she says. "We had one person clog the toilet so badly that we had to call a plumber. The bill was so high we ended up losing money. A week's worth of work literally down the drain." Evan also says to keep in mind while in a house that this was someone's life. "Everyone's life deserves respect," she says. In other words, please refer to the wallpaper as "retro" not "tacky."
Get there early.
Like, really early—as in an hour before the posted start time. "We once had a 1960s Round Bed that a gentleman camped out overnight to make sure he had first dibs to purchase," says Evan. "I can't count how many times people come on the second day looking for an item that sold in the first half hour on the first day," says Evan.
Also worth noting: If a sale advertises Shiny-Brite Christmas ornaments, vinyl albums, musical instruments, or midcentury modern furniture/decor, you can almost guarantee it's gonna draw a crowd of professional pickers who will all be there first thing.
Then go the opposite direction.
"I kind of hate to share this tip, but it's a good one: Go the opposite way of the crowd," says Alieta Casey (@alietatreasurehunting), a Birmingham, Alabama-based designer who frequently showcases her hard-earned finds on social media. "If most shoppers are headed to the room on the right when you enter, go left. If the main level is crowded, head upstairs. I've found lots of treasures by bypassing the group and heading to the yet-unshopped areas. "On a somewhat related note, if you're looking for quirky collectibles, skip the main floor and head up or down. "If you like vintage stuff, those items are often tucked away in the attic or basement," says Evan. "And don't overlook the back shed!" says Country Living Executive Editor Jen Kopf.
Grab the best deals.
While estate sale pricing isn't always a bargain, Evan says that estate sale clothes are typically priced for less than what you'd find at a thrift store. The same goes for everyday kitchenware—think pots, pans, utensils, etc. "Estate sales are an especially great option for college students who may not want to spend a ton on brand new essentials for their kitchens," says Evan, who also notes that office supplies—pens, paper—tend to be another reliable estate sale steal. Carrie says she can't pass up a good vase—they come in handy when gifting flowers—as well as artwork. "New framing on an old piece can bring such new life to it," she says.
(Side note: Should you ever need to put on an estate sale, our experts say don't throw anything away. "What someone may think is trash could truly be a treasure to someone else," says Evan. "There was once a file cabinet full of papers that looked like it needed to be shredded, but upon further inspection, it was full of carbon-copied letters written by a female Broadway producer in the 1950s. It was fascinating!")
Remember: The less renovated, the better.
If you've ever embarked on a home renovation project, you're aware that there's plenty of "decluttering" that goes along with it. However, if a home's interior has remained happily untouched, then there's a good chance the same goes for its contents. "The older homes that haven’t been renovated tend to have the 'best' or most unusual and unique finds," confirms Evan, who adds that properties owned by an artist or art enthusiast tend to be decorated with a lot of character, "which means lots of quirky treasures."
Bring your own "sold" stickers.
This may be controversial, but it's a common practice. "Sold stickers make it easy to quickly claim things (especially larger ones) while continuing to move through the sale," says Jackie Greaney, owner of Seacraft Vintage, a Kennebunk, Maine-based emporium of nautical treasures and seaphemera.
Negotiate within reason.
"Here's the thing," says Evan. "Most estate sale companies operate on a 70/30 or 60/40 split. As the operator we are trying to get the absolute most for our clients who hired us. I can't speak for other companies but ours researches every single item in the home and we are knowledgeable of its value. We price things affordably and accordingly because we want the items to sell and not sit there. If there's something you're interested in and have your heart set on, but it's not quite in the budget you allotted, talk to us! But do not go in aggressively or assume that you know more than we do. Our cashier likes to ask people if they'd haggle that hard at Walmart."
Evan also adds that if an item is damaged or chipped or slightly imperfect, her team has likely already priced it accordingly. In other words, pointing out its flaws to us will not help your case. "We know it has flaws, and that's why it's priced as is," she says.
Don't forget the bid box.
"Most estate sale houses have an actual box by the register where they collect offers, mostly on big ticket items," says Carrie. "If you fall in love with an item, but not the price tag, leave your best offer in the bid box," she says, noting that if the sellers don't sell an item by the end of the day, they often sell to the highest (reasonable) bidder. "This is another situation where it's helpful to be friendly with the people who run the sales," says Carrie. "If they pull two names with the same bid, but they know you'll pay quickly and will retrieve your item promptly, you might be the first call they make!"
Beware the family-run sale.
Evan says her company doesn't allow family members to be present at their sales, for the simple reason that it's hard to see strangers in your home rummaging and negotiating over your family's items or criticizing the decor. While some families choose to run their own sales, "I just wouldn't recommend that solely from an emotional perspective," says Evan. Also, these sales (understandably, given the sentimentality) tend to have higher pricing.
Don't discount any house.
"We are all human beings, and our homes are our most personal environments," says Evan. "With that in mind, they are all interesting to me. You can tell so much about someone by their home and the books they've read or the hobbies they picked up over the years. The homes contain a lifetime of... life." When it comes to items that aren't sold during the sale, Evan says she and her team leave it up to the family to decide what happens to them. "A lot of times they will opt for donation to a 501-C or a charity they feel close to."
You Might Also Like
