Just like the old saying goes, "you can't take it with you." Nothing proves that point better than an estate sale. Either the owner passed with no one to dispose of the items they collected over the years, the children and grandchildren are looking to cash in on nana's and papa's things, or a realtor is trying to clean out the house to resell via an estate sale agent. Whatever the circumstance, it means opportunity for you.
Who's running the sale matters more than what's in it. Family-run sales carry sentiment, and sentiment always means a higher buy-in — grandpa's favorite toy from when he was a kid will cost you more and probably won't be worth it. Companies brought in by the family are your next-highest price tier; research has usually already been done on item value, so you'll find fewer deals. Always go for estate sales run by companies or the realtor themselves directly — bulk pricing is on the table because they want the house empty quickly. Test your haggle skills and make some deals.
Where to Look
Estate sales are usually listed like garage sales on sites like Craigslist or your local community pages like Nextdoor. The main site to check is EstateSales.net. Craigslist estate sales will sometimes be your best bet for deals, since it's families that just want the house empty and will welcome bulk purchases — which means a better buy-in for you.
The vicinity of your estate sale matters too. Your small town may have only one, but the major city near you will have several, so it's up to you how far you're willing to travel. Everyone can't be at every estate sale, so hitting a sale in your major city may be the best option, because your little local sale will be swamped. Be willing to travel for your finds. And make sure you use FlipperScanner to get the best information while you're there.
Day One vs. Last Day
The first day of the estate sale will always have the highest pricing. All the choice items will be available, and if you don't mind a smaller margin on resale, that's the best time to go. The last day of the sale will always be your best for deals, but selection will be limited. That signed Picasso will go on the first day — the Picasso book will still be there on the last day. It's all about what you want to get and what you're willing to pay. If you're looking for fast, cheap dollar-item flips, last day, last hour is your bread and butter.
One neat trick: offer to take everything that's left, good and bad, and flip it at your local flea market at a blowout price.
Estate Sale Navigation
The estate sale listing site usually offers a large variety of photos for each sale. From those pictures, you can plan your attack — and it depends on your niche. Do you resell tools, electronics, books, or kitchen items? The photos will show you what's there and whether it's even worth your time.
Items are laid out around the house in their general location — kitchen items in the kitchen, garage items in the garage, and so on. The most valuable items, like jewelry and higher-end antiques, will almost always be positioned near the checkout area.
Etiquette and Negotiation
There are some unwritten rules to an estate sale. If you put it down, it's fair game — take it to the holding area if they have one, or just football-carry it around the sale. You can't set a piece down, walk off, then cry when the person behind you snatches it up.
Common courtesy applies to walking around too. You'll get those goofs who think they're the only one at the sale and block off the main traffic ways staring at a book or trinket — a gentle "excuse me" usually works, though a gruffer voice gets someone's attention just as well. Reaching over someone to grab an item is bad manners; point it out, and offer to grab the item for them instead.
When it comes to the sale's runner, always ask for a lower price. You won't get it on day one, so hang your hat and be patient — each subsequent day, the haggle pays off more. Ultimately they want the house empty, and the quicker the better. Buying a large group of items can also get you a lower price, even on the first day.
Red Flags
Family-run sales cost more — sentiment drives up pricing, as covered above. Skip sales where the house smells of mold or mildew — drag an item out of that environment and your own house can end up infested. Watch out for silverfish and roaches for the same reason. Be wary of listings showing a large variety of great items that have "already sold" by the time you arrive — usually that's just the draw to get people in the door, and the actual sale is picked-over junk.
Be willing to travel to larger cities for a wider variety of items for your resale business, watch out for weird smells, and remember the end goal of an estate sale is to empty the house for the next owner — so never be afraid to haggle. The worst they can say is no.
Don't forget to use FlipperScanner when you go, to find out if that leather-covered elephant is worth the money — or if it's just a knockoff.
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