Estate sales can be a treasure trove of hidden gems. You never know what someone has in their home that might be worth money in today’s market. Here are some tips for finding a treasure and getting a good deal.
Professional Sale Versus Personal Sale
Items at a professional sale are more likely to be priced in accordance to their value. A professional will know what they are looking at and will be able to tell what is worth more. A professional will also make sure that their items are fairly priced in order to maintain their good reputation. A company who prices their items too high will not make too many sales and have disappointed customers.
However, sometimes an item will be worth something to you, but not necessarily to someone else. This is a great way to find a steal on an item you’ve been searching for. At a personal sale, you are more likely to find items that the seller doesn’t’ know about. They may think that what they have is a piece of junk, when in reality it might be a hidden treasure. Be sure to check out both types of sales for the most treasures.
Get There Early
The best stuff always goes first, so be one of the first people to arrive at the sale. Professionals already know this trick, so they will be waiting as the doors open to scoop up the best items. If you are in search of something that might be less valuable to collectors but more valuable to your own collection, you may want to go later in the day. People are more likely to haggle on price as the sale goes on because they don’t want to be stuck with a bunch of leftover items.
All Sales Are Final
Make sure that you really want the item you are planning to purchase. There is no return policy at an estate sale if you get your item home and find out that you don’t like it as much as you thought you would. If you aren’t positive about an item, it’s a good idea to think about it in terms of resale value. Will you be able to resell it to someone else? That way you won’t end up with something you hate and no way to get any of your money back.
Check Out The Website
Usually before a sale, the company will have photos of the items available in order to tease prospective buyers into coming. You can do a little bit of research and find out what the items are worth before you get there. Then you will have an idea about fair pricing and if the item is within your budget. Also, a sale that sounds great in a listing may just be more of a garage sale. The photos will usually be able to tell you a lot more.
Doing your research is key with estate sales. Be sure to look up listings and go prepared to haggle on a fair price. People who are looking to get rid of their items may not even know what they have to offer. If you have a certain item you are looking for, please contact Heritage Estate Sales. We have a large listing of sales available, plus an eBay store with more items for sale. We can help you on your road to hunting treasure.