Estate sales are intended to be a respectful occasion in which anyone who might be interested can be assured of an appropriate and adult environment for making what could be very valuable purchases.
When working with an estate sale company, the executor or other authority in charge of the sale will make decisions in regards to how large the sale will be, how long the sale will go on, and how the finer points of sale etiquette should be handled.
Even if one is intending to make a significant purchase in the estate sale, it is still important to uphold the rules of decorum throughout the event. Those who choose not to do so may be ejected from the sale.
They will not usually forfeit their existing purchases, but will lose the opportunity to remain at the sale until it closes. That could be a significant loss, especially if there is something in particular that they were hoping to find.
The Key Points Of Estate Sale Etiquette
One of the most important things about an estate sale is to be there as early as possible. Most estate sales operate on a “first come, first served” basis and will not make exceptions for someone who is late.
Your place in the line at the moment the estate sale opens will have a significant impact on the number of items you are able to see and the order in which you are able to place a bid.
Perhaps the biggest faux pas is to skip ahead of someone in the established line order.
As with other types of auctions, visitors to the auction should be careful with items and should only touch them if appropriate. There may be experts on hand who are able to handle the item effectively and to discuss the merits of various items, especially when a particular piece may or may not be a genuine antique.
On rare occasions, tempers may run high during an estate sale. It is important to respect the personal space and boundaries of other people, because the sale venue might become crowded and misunderstandings can take place.
Poor Etiquette Can Disrupt A Sale, So Take Action Promptly
Poor sale etiquette can be serious enough to cause an estate sale to shut down early if it is not handled in a professional manner.
Those who have limited experience with estate sales will best protect their investment if they work with an estate sale company.
Email or call Heritage Estate Sales for well-run estate sales in Los Angeles.