Do’s and Don’ts of Successful Estate Sale Shopping

Frequenting estate sales can be an exciting endeavor.  Most people love estate sales for the thrill of the find and to purchase high-end items at a lower cost.  As a shopper, there is no greater happiness than finding a much-desired original copy of a book or art piece at a reasonable price.  Thus, understanding the rules of engagement in estate shopping will always result in a positive sale experience as they differ from the rules used in thrift and garage sale shopping.

There are specific norms shoppers attending estate shoppers are expected to adhere to.  Employing them will go a long way towards effecting positive standing with sellers and securing a good deal.  Following are some basic Do's and Don’ts guidelines to estate sale shopping.  

Do:

1.  Go early.  Buyers, collectors, and vintage sellers who are serious about the hunt arrive first.  Don’t let 

    them beat you to the prime items.  Show up early.  Be one of the first shoppers to enter the sale.

2.  Bring cash, preferably in small bills.  This helps make the transaction go smoothly.  Although some estate     sales permit credit card transactions, you have a higher chance of getting a better price if you pay in            cash. 

3.  Be prepared for high prices.  Estate sales are not yard sales or thrift stores.  Prices can be higher than

     second-hand stores and garage sales.  Sellers are looking to make much needed cash on the sale, so

     prices will be high.  If the sale is run by an estate sale company, prices will be especially high as these

     specialty businesses take a cut of the profits.  The more money made in the sale, the higher their

     commission.

4.  Set a limit on your spending.  While you can get great deals at estate sales, you don’t want to blow your

     living expense budget.

5.  Bide your time.  Sure, most items will have been picked over by the last day of the sale but what’s left

     over will be deeply discounted.  If you saw something that was $100 on the first day, it will be reduced to

     $50 if it’s around on the last day.

Don’t:

1.  Haggle.  Prices are usually dropped on the last day of the sale.  Sellers expect you to bargain at that

    time.  If you offer $80 for an item that costs $100 during this time, you will probably get it.  Offer $10 for

    a $100 dollar item and you won’t get it.  Moreover, you will have potentially offended the seller.

2.  Be rude or cutthroat if you can negotiate a price.  While there is generally some leeway to discuss the

    price of an item, prices have already been preset at levels the organizers believe to be fair.  Requesting

    20% off an item is a fair market price standard.  Don’t quibble or insist on a price below the 20%

    threshold or you run the risk of not making the purchase. 

3.  Be pushy, rude, or expect preferential treatment.  If a shopper is looking at an item, be courteous and let

    them finish.  Technically, the item is off-limits until the potential buyer steps away.  Also, sellers are not

    beholden to prospective buyers.  They are not obligated to hold an item for you or wait until you return

    from the ATM.  No one likes strident, entitled, or cut-throat shoppers.

4.  Overlook diamonds in the rough.  Just because an item in the attic or cellar is dusty or dirty doesn’t

    mean it won’t be beautiful when it’s cleaned up.  Look for the value beneath the dusty veneer.

5.  Buy something flawed, damaged, or broken.  If an item is broken, chipped, or otherwise flawed, it may

    not be worth the cost of repairing it.  Also, once purchased, sellers will not accept returns or exchanges

    on an item, even if it was broken when you purchased it.  On the other hand, if a Tiffany lamp or Saarinen

    chair is missing a few screws, pick it up and replace the screws.  It will be worth the purchase.