How judging people's lives and belongings has sparked joy.
Nothing says "I have exquisite taste" quite like putting your discarded belongings on your front lawn for people to buy. But I'll admit. No matter where life has taken me, I will still slow down and look to see if there are any buried treasures to be found.
Something very strange has happened to my brain in the last 10 years. I have become obsessed with estate sales.
Now hear me out, estate sales are not your grandmother's yard sales. You're not likely to find a collection of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. porcelain plates, or those creepy angel figurines that haunted every house in the 80s. Or maybe you will, because who exactly passes those down as heirlooms?
Estate Sales are clean, well-organized, and best of all - it's a fascinating collection of well priced, gently used items. You can find everything from jewelry to high-end furniture.
With every estate sale, you get an intimate portrait of the previous owner. Were they practical or frivolous? Did they cherish the things they possessed and treat them with care? Or were they straight up hoarders? You can immediately know everything about a person by items they are offering through an estate sale.
In the last several years, I've learned how to scope out great sales, and which pitfalls to avoid when looking for said deals. It's an exciting treasure hunt for things that speak to me, and often the hunt is just as exciting as the conquest!
So how do you find said deals? For beginners, start by looking online. Good estate sales are often publicized well in advance. While estate sales rarely publish prices on individual pieces online prior to the event, you can scroll through photo albums and window shop for the items you're interested in picking up. Both Facebook and EstateSales.net are some of my go-to sites for keeping up with upcoming events.
Some of you may be thinking...why do you get so excited about dead people's belongings? Well, I'm strange. But mostly, I don't value things over people. I can only imagine the flaming garbage dumpster of items my future descendants will inherit one day. Like did she really have this many snowmen? Or someone walking through a Goodwill in 25 years - whoa...this lady made a photo book about visiting a place called Uranus, Missouri and The International Vacuum Cleaner Museum.
Plus the hunt is rather exciting. If something sparks joy and I can use it, why not get it for an amazingly discounted price?
For those of you a little weirded out by strangers fighting over your belongings after you've died, do note there are two distinct types of estate sales.
An estate sale versus a living estate sale could be an important factor in your decision to visit. Usually, with a living estate sale, the person is downsizing, so truly great bargains can definitely be found. Grandma does not need her 12-piece china set in her new apartment. Great Uncle Roy now has his grass mowed by his weird grandson with the piercings and blue hair, thus, he's letting go of all of his lawn equipment.
With a typical estate sale, the family has already taken the items of significant sentiment, and it's really a collection of great things that just need good homes. I have never once run across a family Bible or a collection of photos from someone's wedding. That would seriously make me ugly cry in public.
Ok, so what's the algorithm to Estate Sales?
I always recommend checking second-hand sites like eBay or Etsy when you're unsure of the price point for vintage pieces. I am a clutch handbag aficionado, preferably late 50s to the early 70s, but I go in with an acceptable price range before buying. If it's not in range, I pass. For one of a kind items? Well, that's simply up to you!
To make the sale worthwhile, consider two or three must-have pieces you're interested in snagging. Logic will tell you, if the sale has been publicized well in advance, you will not be the only person in attendance. If you arrive late in the day, some of the big-ticket items are likely long gone.
If the estate sale is a multi-day event, it's likely that the organizers will be putting out fresh merchandise the second day, so perhaps check back if you're a local. One serving piece you snagged on the first day might have a brother or sister that needs to come home with you too. Also, for multi-day events, the last day is typically a huge discount day. I've snagged so many great pieces for pennies on last days, but stay open-minded. It's like TJ Maxx, don't go with a game plan, just go and see if anything catches your attention.
On that note, be true to yourself when picking up new things. I am extremely hesitant to buy any small appliances since watching This Is Us. And I never, ever buy clothing. But serving pieces, decor, or books? I will clean a shelf like I'm on Supermarket Sweep. Some people are absolute germaphobes who refuse to own anything second-hand. And I understand completely, but almost everything can be washed or sanitized with Lysol. For books, just put a little baking soda between the pages and pop it into a Ziploc freezer bag. Two weeks in a freezer? Good as new, and no funky smell. You're welcome.
I might also add, buying things at an Estate Sale is a fantastic up-cycle practice. Think of how happy you'll make Mother Earth!
Trust your instincts! I passed up a gorgeous slim-design art deco china cabinet years ago and I'm still kicking myself. It needed a bit of work and we weren't sure how we were going to get it home. Every once in a while I walk past my kitchen and mourn the spot where it would have fit perfectly. It was literally the ideal height and depth for the space and I've never seen another like it again. Plus, I would have gotten all of my china and crystal out of the boxes in my pantry!
Estate sales aren't just for the ladies. My husband found a wrench set for $6 that would have ordinarily retailed for $100+. If the person was a homeowner, chances are you can find some highly-discounted lawn and garden tools. Besides who cares if those items have a little dirt on them?
Etiquette is very important at an estate sale. Follow the organizer's rules and don't be a jerk. Most will note whether it's a cash and carry sale or a live auction. Note the payment options before arriving. Not everyone accepts plastic, so avoid the awkward moment of having something in your hand but not having the means to purchase it immediately. Typically, there are zero holds. You want? You buy.
Most indoor estate sales are of the tag sale variety, meaning you can take off the tag of the item (if it's larger) to claim it as yours while you continue to shop. Some may offer a holds table, where you can place smaller items you're intending to purchase. This signals to everyone that these items are off-limits. For both, I always take my tags.
For my last estate sale during COVID, masks were required, with no exceptions. Patrons were limited to 10 at a time. Be patient. Be kind. It's not the end of the world if someone pillaged the cashmere scarves before you even got in the door, or if you have to wait in a socially-distanced line before entering.
So what do I love searching for at estate sales?
My favorite items are serving pieces. I am your typical House Hunters' subject, I LOOOOVVVEE to entertain with my stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. The only difference is I actually do enjoy entertaining and have the space to do it. Our kitchen bar is quite large, but when you're serving a full-meal buffet style, it can get a bit cramped. I have scored no less than 10 serving pieces I rotate depending on the audience and the meal.
Organization pieces are a fun find. I recently found a four-drawer slim design catch-all for $20. The price wasn't amazing, but I loved the functionality and design. I knew it would be perfect in my pantry for random home-improvement items like batteries and painter's tape. So if you love it, and you can live with the price, just get it.
Holiday items - my all-time favorite go-to Estate Sale items are hard to pass up. As an avid collector of vintage ceramic Christmas trees, I will wait for hours in the rain if that means adding another one to my collection (reasonably priced, of course). Timeless pieces like beaded garland are always in abundant supply, but holiday items are my one splurge. If I love it, I get it!
The most incredible piece I've ever gotten at an Estate Sale was a character I affectionately call David S. Pumpkins, Jr. If you've never seen the SNL skit, please click here. So David S. Pumpkins, Jr. was hand-made by the owner of the estate sale and she and I would have been kindred spirits solely based on our mutual love of Halloween. I have never seen anything so equally adorable and horribly frightening.
Weighing my options carefully, as I am insanely impulsive, I debated on whether David S. Pumpkins, Jr. would be the coolest part of my Halloween decor or whether or not he would summon dark forces to destroy everything I loved. He made me laugh and cringe simultaneously! I stood before him for several minutes before snatching him up. He's the size of a toddler, so carrying him around like a demented costumed child garnered so many fun looks.
Undeterred, I let David S. Pumpkins, Jr. ride shotgun around town, including a pit stop at the drive-thru at Sonic. When I pulled in the driveway, Brian stared at me practically speechless in horror from the window. I reminded him David S. Pumpkins, Jr. wasn't a six-foot metal chicken named Beyonce. Jenny Lawson would have approved. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, this might help. The Bloggess does use a lot of language, just in case you're offended by that kind of thing.
So that's the nuts and bolts of buying people's stuff. Go forth, my children. Go buy incredible things for not much money. I guarantee they will spark joy for you.
Your children or grandchildren? Unclear.
Thanks for reading!
~ Christy
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