ESTATE SALES: A Shopper's Guide - KINDNESS COUNTS!!

Here are some great tips for estate sale shoppers, posted with permission from http://www.re-nest.com/


Estate sales can be treasure troves for the bargain hunter. Vintage furniture, barely used items and things you’ve never seen before can be found at nearly every sale. But many of us have never been to one, and if we went we wouldn’t really know how to shop them. Check out our tips.

Do a drive by. A few days before the sale drive by the house. Is it in a neighborhood that seems to have the style you’re looking for? Little clues like swing sets in the back yard or a garage full of tools can tell you a lot about what might be inside on sale day.


Know when you want to arrive. There’s typically a rush in the beginning of a sale, but those rushes are often made up of people looking to complete collections or for something really specific. If you’re just going to browse don’t worry about showing up later in the day when the crowd dies down (and the deals may be better!)

Come prepared. Know the measurements of your rooms and spaces you’re looking to furnish, toss your fabric and paint swatches into your bag. Bring a tape measure and mini screwdriver along. Show up in your largest vehicle so if you find that treasure you can pack it up easily. Pack a few baby wipes for your hands after you touch dusty items. If you’re planning to buy smaller items bring your grocery totes along.

Cash. Bring cash, rarely is any other form of payment accepted. Even if they do take credit cards or checks you are in a better position to ask for a deal with cash.

Check it all out before spending a lot of time in one room. Walk through the entire sale to figure out where everything is. Often the home is rearranged so things you expect to be in the living room might be in the garage, or things from the bedroom are in the backyard. Get your bearings before diving into one spot.

Don’t be afraid to dig. Look in the very back of kitchen cabinets. Step over the boxes in the basement to get to that corner. There’s usually tons of stuff, so not every great item can be out on display. Find someone else’s forgotten treasures with a little digging.

Feel free to bargain. The point of an estate sale is to liquidate everything in the home. Prices are suggestions so get ready to haggle. The more you buy the better deal you’ll typically get. Remember, though, that kindness counts. The nicer you are, the better deal you’re likely to get.

Set a budget and stick to it. Estate sales are overwhelming. If you walk into a great one everything looks like it’s screaming at you to take it home. Know what you’re looking for and what you want to spend. That way, when 18 items are calling your name you can hone in on what will really make an impact at your home.

Don’t buy it just because it’s a deal. Re-nest is all about buying only what you need and love. If it doesn’t have a place in your home don’t take it from theirs. Even if it’s cheap it’ll just end up cluttering up your house if you don’t have a plan for it.

Estate sales are a great place to buy that investment piece. Estate sales are where other people are selling their treasures. Looking for a womb chair? Have you always wanted a teak platform bed? Estate sales are fantastic places to get quality vintage pieces for much, much less. But make sure you know what you’re looking at before you shell out the big bucks – don’t take it home to find out you have a cheap knock off. Flip things over, look for manufactures marks, quality construction and other signs of genuine craftsmanship.

Timesavers Estate Sales

WHAT ABOUT ESTATE SALE MANNERS?

My friend Lynn Goldfinger, over at Paris Hotel Boutique, http://www.parishotelboutique.com/, wrote and thoughtful piece on her blog the other day and allowed me to share it with you.  I found it to be very interesting and also very timely. I am not sure if it is due to the poor economy or not, but I, and my network of fellow estate sale conductors, noted that there seems to be quite a bit more rude behavior at our sales lately and lack of respect, whether it be towards fellow shoppers, estate sale conductors, the personal property of our clients, or the homes we have been hired to temporarily care for.

Lynn wrote:

I was just talking to a fellow antique dealer friend of mine who recently attended a local estate sale. His nicely covered pile of leather bound books held for him at the front door were stolen by another shopper. Where have all the manners gone?

I have been attending estate sales for about 15 years now. It never ceases to amaze me the lack of manners and etiquette at these sales. There are some cardinal rules among estate sale shoppers;

If any item has a "sold" tag, someone has done the work to find it and is going to purchase it. Hands off.
If there is an obvious pile of items in a corner, ask before you rummage. They are probably someone else's gathered treasures that they have set aside because they can't carry them around.

Don't push and shove. Courtesy is rule #1.




Objects are just material things and there is certainly enough to go around, isn't there? I've cut back on my estate sale attendance since I've witnessed some of the most horrific incidents including my girlfriend getting knocked down on the ground for complimenting a man on his turquoise jewelry. He was definitely crazy.

Do you have any of your own estate sale nightmare stories to share?


Are there any comments you want to add on estate sale manners?

Check out Paris Hotel Boutique yourself and discover the treasures that Lynn has gathered for your shopping delight!  http://www.parishotelboutique.com/

COME TO THE VINTAGE BAZAAR IN CHICAGO!!! Congress Theater!

TIMESAVERS ESTATE SALES is participating as a vendor at the second Vintage Pop Up Bazaar in Chicago on August 22, 2010 from 12 to 7.....it is at the Congress Theater in Chicago.  There will be music, food, fun, and of course, vintage treasures galore so you can shop until you drop!!  The last one was a huge success and this one is in an even larger venue so will be even better. A great way to spend a summer Sunday!  I will be selling a variety of vintage items including vintage clothing, jewelry, linens, aprons, clocks, ephemera and so much more.......Hope to See You All There!!

21 Great Things to Buy Used - From Estate Sales!!!

If you’re looking to get the most value for your dollar, it would do your wallet good to check out secondhand options. Many used goods still have plenty of life left in them even years after the original purchase, and they’re usually resold at a fraction of the retail price, to boot. Here’s a list of 21 things that make for a better deal when you buy them used.

We have had most of these items for sale at our fabulous estate sales at various times....except of course for houses and timeshares!  We do have cars for sale sometimes!



1. DVDs and CDs:


Used DVDs and CDs will play like new if they were well taken care of. Even if you wind up with a scratched disc and you don’t want to bother with a return, there are ways to remove the scratches and make the DVD or CD playable again.


2. Books:


You can buy used books at significant discounts from online sellers and brick-and-mortar used book stores. The condition of the books may vary, but they usually range from good to like-new. And of course, check out your local library for free reading material.


3. Video Games:


Kids get tired of video games rather quickly. You can easily find used video games from online sellers at sites like Amazon and eBay a few months after the release date. Most video game store outlets will feature a used game shelf, as well. And if you’re not the patient type, you can rent or borrow from a friend first to see if it’s worth the purchase.


4. Special Occasion and Holiday Clothing:


Sometimes you’ll need to buy formal clothing for special occasions, such as weddings or prom. Most people will take good care of formal clothing but will only wear it once or twice. Their closet castouts are your savings: Thrift stores, yard sales, online sellers and even some dress shops offer fantastic buys on used formalwear.

5. Jewelry:


Depreciation hits hard when you try to sell used jewelry, but as a buyer you can take advantage of the markdown to save a bundle. This is especially true for diamonds, which has ridiculously low resale value. Check out estate sales and reputable pawn shops to find great deals on unique pieces. Even if you decide to resell the jewelry later, the depreciation won’t hurt as much.


6. Ikea Furniture:


Why bother assembling your own when you can pick it up for free (or nearly free)? Summer is the best time to hunt for Ikea furniture–that’s when college students are changing apartments and tossing out their goodies.


7. Games and Toys:


How long do games and toys remain your child’s favorite before they’re left forgotten under the bed or in the closet? You can find used children’s toys in great condition at moving sales or on TradingCradles.com, or you can ask your neighbors, friends, and family to trade used toys. Just make sure to give them a good wash before letting junior play.


8. Maternity and Baby Clothes:


Compared to everyday outfits that you can wear any time, maternity clothes don’t get much wear outside the few months of pregnancy when they fit. The same goes for baby clothes that are quickly outgrown. You’ll save a small fortune by purchasing gently used maternity clothes and baby clothes at TradingCradles.com, yard sales and thrift stores. Like children’s games and toys, friends and family may have baby or maternity clothing that they’ll be happy to let you take off their hands.


9. Musical Instruments:


Purchasing new musical instruments for a beginner musician is rarely a good idea. (Are you ready to pay $60 an hour for piano lessons?) For your little dear who wants to learn to play an instrument, you should see how long his or her interest lasts by acquiring a rented or used instrument to practice with first. Unless you’re a professional musician or your junior prodigy is seriously committed to music, a brand new instrument may not be the best investment.


10. Pets:


If you buy a puppy (or kitty) from a professional breeder or a pet store outlet, it can set you back anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. On top of this, you’ll need to anticipate additional fees and vet bills, too. Instead, adopt a pre-owned pet from your local animal shelter and get a new family member, fees, and vaccines at a substantially lower cost.

11. Home Accent:


Pieces Home decorating pieces and artwork are rarely handled on a day-to-day basis, so they’re generally still in good condition even after being resold multiple times. If you like the worn-out look of some décor pieces, you can be sure you didn’t pay extra for something that comes naturally with time. And don’t forget, for most of us, discovering a true gem at a garage sale is 90% of the fun!


12. Craft Supplies:


If you’re into crafting, you probably have a variety of different supplies left over from prior projects. If you require some additional supplies for your upcoming project, then you can join a craft swap where you’ll find other crafty people to trade supplies with. If you have leftovers, be sure to donate them to your local schools.


13. Houses:


You’re typically able to get better and more features for your dollar when you purchase an older home rather than building new. Older houses were often constructed on bigger corner lots, and you also get architectural variety in your neighborhood if the houses were built or remodeled in different eras.

14. Office Furniture:


Good office furniture is built to withstand heavy use and handling. Really solid pieces will last a lifetime, long after they’re resold the first or second time. A great used desk or file cabinet will work as well as (or better than) a new one, but for a fraction of the cost. With the recession shutting down so many businesses, you can easily find lots of great office furniture deals.


15. Cars:


You’ve probably heard this before: Cars depreciate the second you drive them off of the dealership’s lot. In buying a used car, you save money on both the initial cost and the insurance. It also helps to know a trusty mechanic who can check it over first. This way, you’ll be aware of any potential problems before you make the purchase.


16. Hand Tools:


Simple tools with few moving parts, like hammers, hoes and wrenches, will keep for decades so long as they are well-made to begin with and are well-maintained. These are fairly easy to find at neighborhood yard or garage sales. If you don’t need to use hand tools very often, an even better deal is to rent a set of tools or borrow them from a friend.


17. Sports Equipment:


Most people buy sports equipment planning to use it until it drops, but this rarely happens. So when sports equipment ends up on the resale market, they tend to still be in excellent condition. Look into buying used sporting gear at yard sales or sports equipment stores.


18. Consumer Electronics:


I know most folks like shiny new toys, but refurbished electronic goods are a much sweeter deal. Consumer electronics are returned to the manufacturer for different reasons, but generally, they’ll be inspected for damaged parts, fixed, tested, then resold at a lower price. Just make sure you get a good warranty along with your purchase.


19. Gardening Supplies:


This is an easy way for you to save money, and all you need to do is be observant. Take a look outdoors and you’ll likely find such gardening supplies as mulch, wood, and even stones for free or vastly reduced prices. Used garden equipment and tools are also common goods at yard sales.


20. Timeshares:


Buying timeshares isn’t for everyone, but if you decide that it suits your lifestyle, purchasing the property as a resale would be a better deal than buying it brand new: on average, you’ll save 67 percent on the price for a comparable new timeshare. If you’re new to timeshare ownership, give it a test run first by renting short term.

21. Recreational Items:


It’s fairly easy to find high ticket recreational items like campers, boats, and jet skis being resold. Oftentimes, they’re barely used at all. As long as they’re in safe, working condition, they’ll make for a better value when purchased used than new.

ESTATE SALE MYTHS DEBUNKED

Are you one of those people who have collected a lot of "stuff" over the years? Maybe lately you have been thinking about living lighter and want to get rid of some of the things you have collected over the past 50 years. However, a yard sale is unappealing -- it would take too much time and effort for not enough profit. Have you ever consiedred an estate sale? Many people automatically dismiss having such an event because there are so many myths surrounding the topic. This article will look at six estate liquiedation myths and tell you exactly why they are bunk.

The biggest estate sale myth is that you can only hold an event of this type after someone in the family passes away. This is absolutely false. You can liquiedate yor possessions in this manner whenver you would like. Liquidators work with anyone who has a house full of things that they would like to sell. (Moving, downsizing, divorce, foreclosure might be such situations).

The next myth says that you must clean out your junk before you hire an estate sale company. This is not only untrue, but it is actually something you should NOT do! Liquidators love to go into homes that have not been picked over or de-junked. What looks like junk to you may be a valuable collectible to someone else. So, put your pride aside and leave your junk drawer full. The company will handle everything for you.

Myth number three sayd taht you must be wealthy in order to have an estate sale. This is completely untrue. People from all income levels have these events every day. Liquidation companies will work with anyone, regardless of income. The company itself is usually paid by taking a percentage of the total profits. You usually do not have to worry about paying in advance.

Furthermore, your home does not need to be filled with priceless qnaitues or other collectibles in order for you to have one of these events. Plenty of people purcahse non-collectibles at an estate sale. You never know what you might have that someone else has been trying to find for quite a while.

Some people think that estate liquidators buy all the best items up for themselves at bargain basement prices before the event. This, too, is a myth -- an ethical company will never go into your home and take the best of everything for themselves. The public will be able to purchase any of the items from your home; there is absolutely no competition between the company and the public.

The final myth is that estate liquidations are always auctions. This is not the case. In fact, tag sales are far more common. For these events, every item is inventoried and has a price tag affixed to it. All items are researched so that the asking price is fair to both the seller and the buyer. These events are typically held over several days. If items do not sell during the first few days, it is easy to lower the price. At an auction, prices are not fixed. Items go to the highest bidder. Sometimes items have a reserve price set, which ensures that the item will sell for no less than the reserve amount.

Working with an estate sale company is a very good alternative to holding a do-it-yourself yard sale, particularly if you have an entire house or apartment full of things you want to sell. A reputable company will sort, clean, research prices, market and handle all of the details of a tag or estate sale. All you need to do is collect the money when the event is finished!