Be Wary of These Estate Sale Mistakes if You're a Bargain Hunter

Estate sales are a great opportunity to save money on furniture, tools, and collectibles. My living area is mostly furnished with estate sale finds that my husband and I have accumulated over the years.

However, buying at estate auctions isn't always a sure thing. It takes some shopping know-how, time, and patience. Estate sales might be a waste of time if you're on a tight schedule or don't know how to price vintage items.

Look for estate auctions near me if you want to find local auctions. There are several online auction sites where you can look for things and real estate.

To avoid such fate, start by developing your vision

"Go to sales in your area all year," advises Carrie Aulenbacher, an estate sale connoisseur from Erie, Pennsylvania. "You'll start to notice comparable goods and have a sense of what a true bargain looks like." Also, study your favourite collectible's hallmarks so you can detect a fake in the wild."

In 25 years of estate sale hunting, Aulenbacher's biggest find is an original cast-iron Griswold "pup" souvenir that sells for roughly $200 on eBay. For 50 cents, she grabbed one.

"The following week, another one was held at a different estate sale—but this employee recognised the worth and had it practically chained to her so it wouldn't walk away!" "It showed me how good of a deal I'd found," she says.

You can, too, shop the deals and spot bargains like an expert. All you have to do now is stay away from these blunders.

Disregarding the terms of the sale

"Never utter the word "garage sale" to an estate sale company's owners," advises Deb Blue, co-founder and CEO of Blue Moon Estate Sales, the country's largest estate sale franchise.

A garage sale usually occurs when a homeowner cleans out his garage or downsizes after his children leave for college. We've had a few garage sales when we simply piled everything on a table and made up pricing as we brought things up from the basement.

An estate sale, on the other hand, is frequently organised by a firm that knows how much things are worth. Sorting, pricing, and displaying things are all done by workers. They're professionals who don't want to be mistaken for yard sale novices.

They also dislike haggling. Before you make a lower offer, quietly inquire, "Is this the best price?" or "Do you haggle?"

"The homeowner is the estate sale company's client, and they are doing their best for the client," Blue adds.

If you believe prices are excessive, consider twice before arguing with personnel.

"Do not be obnoxious to the company." They have the power to bar you from future sales," explains Aulenbacher.

Purchasing gadgets without first putting them through a test

Estate sales aren't the same as traditional retail establishments. The majority of them have a no-refund, as-is policy. If you're planning to buy something electric, make sure to test it first.

"We're setting up thousands of objects and don't have time to double-check anything," Lisa Kroese, owner of Expert Estates in Palmdale, California, explains.

So, if you're going to test something with a plug, try this: Before you spend even a dime on a hair dryer, run it, set the food processor to "Pulse," and test it.

Using the facilities

If you have to go to an estate sale, don't expect to be able to use the facilities just because it's in a large house with numerous bathrooms. Bathrooms are frequently off-limits. Before commencing your rounds, take care of your business or, in an emergency, ask if it's OK beforehand. Is that clear?

Bringing in those that require monitoring

Children are rarely kept out of estate sales. There are no gates on the stairs, fragile goods are strewn about, and a large number of strangers are roaming about. That's why it's better to keep young children—or anyone who isn't confident of their feet—at home. And don't even consider bringing your dog.

Paying no heed to the clock

The goods and prices you can get at a normal three-day sale are determined by the time and day you go.

My husband and I frequently go to estate sales in the last hour of the day on Sunday, when the salespeople almost pay us to take whatever is left. That's how we came across our all-time favourite find: a set of ten cut-crystal soup bowls that purportedly originally belonged to Jordan's young Queen Noor (who grew up near our home). The set cost $80, but the backstory is invaluable. We tell guests they're slurping soup from the queen's bowls whenever we offer soup to them.

Using a chequebook as a source of income

Many family members' estate sales will only accept cash. Cash and credit cards are accepted at professionally handled sales. Professionals will only take checks on exceptional occasions. (After all, how often do you buy things with checks these days?)

Impulsive purchases

Estate sales are a death sentence for impulse purchasers who have no idea what they're looking for or how much something costs. Do your homework. Otherwise, you won't know whether the listed price of $75 is a good deal or a rip-off when you come upon a sterling silver Tiffany tea strainer (like I did).

Forgetting to take measurements is a common mistake

"On the estate sale house, certain objects may appear larger or smaller than they would in your home," Kroese explains. "Take those measures if you require something for a certain space." And don't forget to bring your own measuring tape."

At estate sales, smartphone apps like Handy Measure come in handy. They can assist you in measuring and photographing the area you need to fill as well as the furnishings you need to match.

Bringing a little automobile with you

Most estate sales do not deliver, though they may be able to provide you with the names of movers who will transport your valuables for a fee. If you're looking for furniture, it's easier to bring, borrow, or rent a truck for the day.

I am Kevin Taylor. I love writing and reading books.