How to Buy at Estate Sales
Whether you are going to an estate sale to buy for your own personal use or to buy merchandise to sell, you will likely find that the competition is high. Dealers who are in the business of reselling use estate sales as one of their primary suppliers. To maximize your success, there are a few things that you can do.
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Instructions
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Check your local newspaper classified ads on Thursdays. Most towns run the majority of the ads for the coming weekend on the Thursday before the weekend. Be sure to check not only in the Estate Sale category, but also look under Moving Sales and Garage Sales. Many newspapers charge a higher rate for an Estate Sale ad then they do for other ads. Some people running an Estate Sale will choose to advertise under Moving Sale or Garage Sale to save on the ad cost.
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Go to the website address in advance of the sale if one is given in the ad. This will allow you to get an advance look at the items you would like to buy.
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Arrive at the estate sale at least one hour before the actual sale begins. This is very important. Dealers know that the first few people in the door of a good estate sale get the best merchandise. Most estate sales will give you a number when you arrive. That number will be used to determine the order in which they allow people into the sale. Ideally you want your number to be lower then 10. If too many people walk through the sale before you, chances are good that whatever you are looking to buy will be gone when your turn comes.
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Go directly to the room that holds the items you wish to purchase when you enter the estate sale. If you were able to view pictures of the merchandise for sale online, chances are good that the pictures also showed you what room of the house the item is in. If you are not sure which direction to head when you enter the door of the estate sale, do not hesitate to ask the person running the sale where the kitchen, den, or living room is in the house. If you were not able to view the items for sale online, you should first head to the room of the house that is most likely to hold the types of items you wish to buy. For example, if you are looking for antique desk clocks, head to the den or office first.
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Keep your hands free. It is always a good idea to carry a large bag that you can wear over your shoulder. As you gather items you want to purchase, put them into the bag so that your hands are free for picking up other items.
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Tips & Warnings
If you see an item at an estate sale and you are not sure if you want to buy it, pick it up and carry it around while you continue looking at the other items. If you decide not to buy it you can always put it back down; but if you leave it sitting while you think about it, chances are someone else will grab it by the time you decide you want it.
If you like an item that you see but do not like the price being asked for it, do not hesitate to offer a lower price. The worst that can happen is they say no. Sometimes you might find that you are more likely to get a lower offer accepted if you are buying multiple items. Group together all of your purchases, add up the sticker prices and then make a combined price offer that is lower then the original total.
Be sure to look the item over well before buying. Overlooked damage can decrease the value of the item significantly.
Do not assume that just because it is for sale at an estate sale it is an antique. Most estate sales offer a variety of current, vintage and antique items.
