There are many people who love the thrill and treasures that can be found at estate sales. Before you head out to your next sale, here are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind.
DO
-Check out boxes for lots of great small goods such as clocks, jewelry, and other knickknacks. Some of the best finds are in box lots, where you can find anything from mason jars to vintage rings.
-Haggle, especially when you are purchasing several items or when it is at the final hours on the last day of the estate sale.
-Inspect furniture before you purchase it. Be sure that all drawers function properly and that the hardware is intact. The condition of the piece will impact your purchasing price and how much work you will need to put into it when you get it home. This is especially important with vintage pieces.
-Take notes during the preview. You will see a large variety of items during an estate sale and a preview is a good chance to really take stock of items you just can’t live without.
DON’T
–Assume that a room has already been picked over and gone through. Take your time to inspect every room and pile carefully. You may find a treasure that others have missed.
–Expect a discount if you are only purchasing a single item or during the beginning of the sale. Professionally managed estate sales wait until the end to reduce prices. Private organizers might entertain your offer, but estate sale companies typically have fixed percentages.
-Make a hasty purchase. All sales in an estate sale are final and you just can’t bring back an item because you’re feeling buyer’s remorse about it. Thoroughly inspect items for the sale and find out a little about the item’s history and worth.
Here at Heritage Estate Sales, we want to help you get the most out of your next estate sale. Check out all of our estate sales online with pictures of various items for sale at http://www.heritageestatesale.com/ and we have our own ebay store at http://www.ebay.com/usr/heritage.estate.sales.