An estate sale is when someone passes away and generally a company will sell the contents. But I have been to them where a relative will do it.

Get there early, that is a must. Down here in Alabama you are given a number and they will allow a certain number of people in at a time. So you must get there very early and make it on the first day of the sale.

I have found that antique dealers and auction people will almost camp out the night before. Drives me crazy, but...

Go to estatesales.net and get on their mailing list. Many times they have wonderful estate sales all over the country.

.....Jane

I've been to a few auctions/estate sales. I usually go look at the stuff if there's a preview and send DH to go get whatever since he really enjoys it. We do the number thing here too. People are crazy. My first experience was 2 summers ago after my best friend's Grandfather passed away. We were getting everything ready for the sale a couple days before and people started showing up from far away lands wanting to view stuff when we were in the middle of organizing etc. The one older couple was very rude and huffy at first when we (us "kids") told them the sale wasn't until Sat. They had drove HOURS to come see such and such. Her parents are nice people and left them look but I'll tell ya what, they can be glad that wasn't my Grandfather. People can be really crazy depending on what's there!

I've wondered about them too. Are they generally at the person's home or a liquidation or auction site?

They are usually at the person's home (estate).

I've found that the furniture is often priced too high. Nice sales to find vintage linens and the odd piece of crystal or silver, though.

Sometimes, the owner will have been a collector of some sort. If it coincides with something you happen to have an interest in, that's always fun.

I deal in antique dolls & toys. I go to estate sales weekly. I haven't ever spent the night to get into one, but did stand in line at 4:00 AM to get in at 8:00. LOL I was the 6th person in line and by the time they started letting people in there were over 200 people lined up.

In our area they are usually run by auction houses that come in and price things for the family. Most of them have a day for dealers to come (usually Thursday or Friday) and then have the estate sale that's advertised on the weekend. Most of the really good stuff is gone before the public knows it.

There are a couple of companies here that do previews on Friday (no dealer days) and run the estate sale on the weekend. Those are always fun because everything hasn't been picked through yet.

Go early. They are lots of fun!

Thanks. I'll have to see one sometime. They advertise in the paper don't they?

I have been to an Estate Sale before, and it can move pretty fast so stay alert... and sometimes they are hard to understand. where I live we have an on-line auction and I go on that all the time.. and I have been able to get some nice things.. you bid on line and if you want to preview anything there usually is a day before the auction is over where you can go and preview the items.. most of it is local, but they will ship certain items.. I have gotten a computer, living chairs, item for the yard, freezer, jewery, pictures, art items, and many other items.. like I said some they will ship at your expense.they have all kinds of kitchen items, and furniture and bedroom sets, dining room sets televisons, cameras, just about anything you can think of.. usually someone has passed away, but lately it is cause of foreclosers.. and they sell everything in the house..
Huggy

Here in Southern Calfornia, everyone with two chairs to sell calls it an "estate sale", but I've found that getting on the email lists of the professionals really helps. Most people over-price Granny's old junque, and don't mark down fast enough.

Here is a link that might be useful: Estate Sales LA

I get flyers in the mail from a local auction company. They auction off anything from business related items to hotel liquidations all the way to personal estate goods. You can even view the items a few days in advance if it's stored in their warehouse. I love the estate auctions and have gotten some things reasonably priced. I did notice after my initial time the dealers know how to maneuver better and many times have a higher monetary limit. I think the experience is fun.

I am on e-mail lists of a few estate sale folks around here, but honestly I've gotten to the point where I just don't have the fight in me to go early to anything. I'm not a pro, and the first hour is when anything really fabulous goes (unless they have some items on bid, which happens but not all the time). I just cannot get up and out by 6, even when vintage glass is involved--I find that things are overpriced, too, except maybe for the seller's friends? I don't know. But it has seemed to me that things are overpriced recently, which is a big drag after you've hauled yourself over there and arranged your schedule for some open time, etc. I don't like fighting or watching other people's desperation that early in the morning. (I realize most of the time there is no actual fighting, but the coffee and cigarettes crowd just depresses me). When I was younger it was fun, but not now. YMMV, of course -- some folks love that aspect of the 'thrill of the hunt'.

I'm finding I'm gravitating more toward consignment shops or auctions, where folks are all on the same playing field. Less time wasted driving around, too. You can go to the viewing, decide if there's anything you like, have time to research and reflect on it, and then either bid online or go to the auction.

I much prefer live auctions to estate sales. At least with auctions you get a chance to preview and bid an item up, rather than paying a pretty high tag price (typical in my area).

And yes, it can get cut throat at E Sales around here, as with garage sales. People (ebay resellers and dealers) arrive the night before even, often with reasons that tug at heart strings so they can get in (ill family member needs them, tonight is their only break, or some such weaselly excuse to get in, and they have a truck outside piled high from other similar visits).

I have all kinds of crazy stories from days past of sales for my mom. (Won't do them now, hate it.) People just get so nasty. And theft is unreal. It's crazy!

One of the worst was the only sale I ever had at my house. Started at 9. A woman arrived at 7:30. My young nieces had made signs with balloons and put them on the corner because it's more heavily traveled and they had little toys to sell and were so excited. So this woman stood at the end of the drive and raised her arms, like "What's up, sale or not?". I asked her to please give us another 15 minutes at least. She stomped off in a huff. We sat there the first hour or so and it was too quiet. So my niece wanted to check her balloons to make sure 'the people' were seeing them and wouldn't miss her toys. I took her over to the corner and do you know the sign was ripped down and balloons deflated? She was so little, and so hurt, and wanted to know who would ruin her hard work. How do you tell a kid that a grown up had a tantrum? I helped her make a new sign, and she was so happy to see 'the people' come to buy her toys.

Loved an ad I saw once. "Early Birds Absolutely Pay Double!"

Sorry, I veered OT. That cut throat behavior just burns me up. It's live auctions for me, no doubt!

I'm thinking that I may just have to stick w/ the thrill of an auction! It sounds a bit brutal for the good stuff.

ttodd it depends on what the sales are like in your area and also on what you consider "the good stuff" !!

Around Chicago suburbs, big sales (read high end) do tend to be cutthroat and over priced so I've adjusted my strategy over the years. I rarely break my neck anymore to be in the first group let in and often won't even go the first day unless something is listed in the ad that I want - if stuff goes before I get there I'm none the wiser and never allow myself to do the 'if only' thing. The second day things are usually 1/2 price, too.

My best bargains often seem to come from either the basement or attic of the big old estates so I always go to them first - if DH and I are together we split up and he hits the basement while I go upstairs. Then I do a quick walk through to scan for large items, and if something is calling my name I get a ticket on it. Last thing I look at are the smalls.

Often you won't always know if it's a true estate sale or simply a house sale where the owners are clearing out to downsize, move or just start over decorating.

I prefer the sales (estate, house and garage) over Craigslist because I can see more stuff and cover more ground. And we all know half the fun is in the hunt!

I used to go to estate sales but as others have said, the dealers and resellers come in and strip the place like locusts, leaving behind junk that's usually overpriced and not worth the effort of fighting your way through the crowd and digging through disorganized piles. I've even arrived exactly at the opening time stated in the ad, because I think early-birding is very rude although I suppose that's getting to be a rare attitude these days) to find a sign on the door saying "sold out" and a moving van in the driveway being filled with stuff at high speed! A dealer had come in and bought EVERYTHING in one fell swoop. I have heard that the sellers/families often get ripped off when dealers do that but I guess they're happy enough to just get it all over with quickly.

Yard sales are getting to be the same way... I've given up going to them, since even if I get up early by the time I get there it's been thoroughly picked over. We had tons of stuff we'd purged when we moved, both before and after, and after thinking about it decided I'd rather cut my throat than have a yard sale. We donated everything to charity and took the tax deduction instead (which brought us more money in the form of a tax refund than a yard sale would ever have!).

When I have discretionary cash and the need for an item (I no longer shop for the "thrill of the hunt", I have too much stuff already), I stick to eBay and Craigslist, or the occasional foray to a retail shop although the thrift shops here are full of junk and the "antique" shops are expensive to squeeze the tourists - I don't make a special trip, I only go in if I happen to be passing by. I think the thrift shop employees probably pick out the good stuff as soon as it comes in, purchase it for the cheap thrift price (and the Goodwill here gives their employees a generous discount on top, so I would imagine other thrift stores doing the same) and resell it elsewhere at a profit.

Mari that's very interesting re: thrift shop employees. I always see tons of quality items being donated at goodwill when I donate my own items, but everything in the actual goodwill store is junk, especially the furniture. Maybe the employees buy it before it hits the floor.

We did an estate sale the contents of my Mom and Dad's home. We hired a woman who does it for a living. She organized and priced everything and we were not there on the day of the sale. I know things were priced to sell and some people got some great bargains. There were things that I hated to let go, but I just did not have the space to keep them. My Grandmother's Haviland china, various silver pieces from Mom and Dad's wedding gifts (from 1952)...some great, nice things! Some of my co-workers attended the sale and I HATED to hear them brag about how they talked the woman down on the prices! Not because I wanted the $$$ - but because that was my life they were bidding on! THAT is why it's best for the family not to be there! The thing I regret selling the most was their old wrought iron patio set. It was nearly 40 years old and better quality than anything you could buy today! All this to say, I think you could get some great bargains at an estate sale. I think you miss out on all the good stuff if you don't go the first day.

Oh mcps I often see old photographs of the deceased and wonder, do these people realize that this was someone's life.

I guess they do and know someday people will be looking at their stuff and trying to get things at bargin prices too.

I like to go to this auction at the Flora/Bama line. Gawd they auction off some gorgeous pieces from the plantation homes in Alabama and Florida. I can't remember the name of the auction house for some reason tonight.

If you want the cream of Goodwill shops around the country, you need to check out their auction site. I've found wonderful things there.

Here is a link that might be useful: Shop Goodwill

Oh! I love the Roseville Pottery that's on there right now!

My mom used to attend estate auctions quite often and if I was looking for something, I just let her know! She has scaled back and only works with antique dolls now, so seldom attends estate auctions. My bedroom set, dining room set, entertainment center and dressers in other rooms have all come from estate auctions. What I have is very good quality. My sister furnished an entire house by going to estate sales.

I used to go to auctions or onsite estate sales,not now. Bidding wars get the price up too high! Auction houses will let you leave a bid, but if another bidder wants to know the highest bid left, they will "tell" to get you to bid higher. CL is the best way to get a "true" deal. Thrift stores do still put some "good" stuff out on the floor, after the employees pick it over. Like the latest $200 Zorijushi bread machine, that I paid $14.99 for!

I think the thrift shop employees probably pick out the good stuff as soon as it comes in, purchase it for the cheap thrift price

I can attest to what mari said, only it happened to me at local Habitat ReStore. Their hours are 10-6. I hustled one afternoon to get a load of some misc furniture, nice art prints I no longer wanted, and other good odds n ends. Really wanted someone in need to be able to enjoy them at a good price, Habitat's prices are generally pretty low in my area. One of the prints I took in was a highly popular one, very large, $200 retail, but I just tired of it. One of the store volunteers helped me unload and she arranged things on the sale floor right then (it was all very clean). Wrapped up my drop off right at 6PM closing. Left, and remembered that I had forgotten to check the contents of the end table drawer I dropped off. Good possibility it had some things in it that I didn't mean to go with the table (kept my dog's breed and training books in it). So I went back next morning, right at 10AM opening. The nice large art print was no longer there, as was another large print and some smaller ones. No way were any customers there, because they locked up when I left and I was there when they first opened. That really made my heart sink, it just seemed so unfair and goes against the very nature of what they and donors are trying to do for others. :/

Most basic things already said. My own experience?

Some are wonderful and will not only get your adrenalin up and send you home with some things not available anywhere else, but will also give you the chance to see the insides of beautiful old homes in your area. I have bought lovely old mirrors, patio furniture, prints, dishes, and even basic pots & pans at estate sales. These can be put on by the family and friends, or by an antique store or company. And even though some complain about higher prices by a company-run sale, they are usually very well organized, with numbers given out at the door one hour before sale begins and orderly entry. They have change and they have 'docents' in each room to facilitate your purchase, as well as to answer questions.

On the flip side, as some Californios already mentioned, anyone can put in an ad and call it an estate sale. If I decide to move and sell a lot of my furniture to cut down on having to move it, I might list it as an estate sale. I see nothing wrong with that. If I go to a sale and I find a great old chair or a dresser or even some yard equipment that the seller doesn't want to take with them, I don't care what they call it. Here's my check/I'll go pull up my truck!

But also, they can be way over-priced, ill-run, and a free-for-all that can be frightening, as the lady with the Coach handbag and diamond earrings starts fighting with the lady in the sweats and athletic shoes over the crystal chandelier. People sometimes lose their decency in their lust to get a deal.

Come early, wear comfortable clothes, put your money in your pocket (so you don't struggle with your purse or worse--knock something off a table with your purse as someone bumps you) and maybe carry a cloth tote for small items. Keep your sense of humor, be prepared to make a quick decision, have a plan for pick-up if you find something big, and have checks as well as enough cash to do what you need to do. If you find something you want, pick it up. Or pull the tag and take it straight to the cashier so no one else gets that antique lamp while you are wandering around.

But do go. Try it. Make your own decision about whether it's fun or infuriating.

Red

Different thrifts evidently have different rules about employee purchases. The Goodwills around where I am have a 3-day rule, but another chain of thrifts lets employees cherrypick from the day the items show up. BIG difference in the quality of what's at each store--I'd always wondered about why there was nothing good at the second chain stores and now I know. I never bother going in there anymore.

...which might explain why I find so many amazing things...most of the things I purchase at Goodwill went out on the floor that day, acc. to the tag. The good things are gone *fast* around here :)

Johnmari said When I have discretionary cash and the need for an item (I no longer shop for the "thrill of the hunt", I have too much stuff already), I stick to eBay and Craigslist, or the occasional foray to a retail shop although the thrift shops here are full of junk and the "antique" shops are expensive to squeeze the tourists - I don't make a special trip, I only go in if I happen to be passing by. I think the thrift shop employees probably pick out the good stuff as soon as it comes in, purchase it for the cheap thrift price (and the Goodwill here gives their employees a generous discount on top, so I would imagine other thrift stores doing the same) and resell it elsewhere at a profit.
That is exactly what I do as well - know what I am looking for and shop Craigslist and eBay. I can also attest to the fact that employees of the thrift stores do get to pick through the donations. I dropped some things off at a local thrift store, then went inside to shop. Came out and the employees had picked through my items and were loading their cars. I'll still donate, but it is disheartening.

I haven't done any estate sale here in CA but used to love it in the East coast (when I was young & single & has lots of time). Now w/ the kids -- even getting to the flea market is a treat.

Anyhow, a lot of places are doing online estate sale. Check this one out!

Here is a link that might be useful: estate sale