SPECIAL ALERT – Don’t miss this estate sale if you live in Southern CA!
Posted on 09. Feb, 2010 by Brigitte in Uncategorized
Be still my heart! Ugh, I could die. I really could. Thanks to Kev for reminding me about this estate sale. All you have to do is see the photos on the site and if you’re a vintage lover than get ready for some serious heart pumpin’ !
I live in Southern California , about a 2 hour drive from this sale (well worth it) and I cannot make it. I’m sick over it! Just look at this stuff? Dream come true……………Okay, I’ve gotten myself together. This is just tough for me.
If you have my book then you know I talk about the estate sales site that can send you notices when there is one in your area. I’ve gone to many yes. The downside for me is that they almost always start on a Friday and I work during the week. They still sell on Saturday’s but the good stuff is usually picked through. But by no means would I rule it out. You also have to be ready to deal with parking , or should I say lack thereof. You usually have to wait in line AFTER you’ve signed the waiting list to get in. And then, they allow groups of 10 or so to go in and look. I don’t mind it. It’s quite understandable as you are going into someone’s home. You just have to be prepared that’s all.
Estate Sales also usually know what they’ve got value wise. I can’t say I’ve made out too much profit wise as they very well know to look on eBay for the going prices on things. But again, I don’t rule it out. I’ve come home with many a good treasures and yes, some I’ve sold. Definitely worth it if looking for yourself or a gift.
This particular sale is all about vintage folks. I have a funny feeling these might have been an old movie star’s items. And I certainly would not doubt it if celebrities (at least their assistants) will make it to this sale. It sure would be fun just to see wouldn’t it? So yes, I’m sad. But that’s okay. I’m drying my tears and letting go. I still have my thrift stores where I can hunt hunt hunt.
Do any of you go to estate sales? What has your experience been? I’d love to hear from you and please, if you DO go to this particular sale, let us all know how it went!
Serena
09. Feb, 2010
So sorry to hear you won’t be able to make it to the estate sale, Brigitte :0( I don’t know why they start these things on Fridays! I haven’t had a whole lotta luck with estate sales here in San Francisco. Almost all of them are run by professionals, who like to jack up the prices. Every once in awhile, I will luck out and come across one in which the family is running the sale and just wants to get rid of the stuff. Then there was the infamous estate sale run by the daughter of a woman who had passed away. She literally jacked up the prices right in front of me, after turning the pieces over to see where they were made. I wanted to tell her that she couldn’t get her asking price even if she put the items on eBay! That’s how ridiculous the prices were! But I’ve learned not to fret because I never have trouble finding things to sell on eBay, whether at garage sales or thrift stores :0)
Lois Dupre
10. Feb, 2010
Hi
I like estate sales and garage sales and thrift shops But my favorite is a good auction.
When we are back in MN for the summer they have the most wonderful auctions. Both at estates and auction houses. At first I was a bit shy about bidding but once you get the hang of it watch out!
I am in AZ for the winter and they are too far for me to go to from the little town I stay in.
Lois
Deena
10. Feb, 2010
Great post, as always, Brigitte! Note that at the top of the web page for http://www.estatesales.net you can click on the button for finding sales in any part of the country. I’ve had some good luck at estate sales, especially on the last day when everything is usually 50% off. I’ll go on the first day to check it out and see if there’s anything I want – if it’s extra special I may buy it, but I’ll go back on Sunday for the bargains. I’ve sold many items I got at estate sales. Good luck with this one, and let us know what you found. Also, http://www.craigslist.com is a great place to look for yard sales & estate sales
steff
10. Feb, 2010
The estate sales I go to are estate auction sales. They are the best and we have so many in my area, I could find one almost every day within driving distance. I limit myself to 1 a week. The prices are insane sometimes–insanely cheap! My normal price is 1.00 for a box lot of goodies or a few dollars per item. We don’t have the kind of estate sales where everything is tagged. You can read about my estate auction finds at my blog!
Terri C
10. Feb, 2010
Wow! If this was about 1000 miles closer I would go! Definitely looks like a good one!
We have one local company in our area that I try to never miss their estate sales. They start on Thursday and run thru Sunday. On Saturday morning, everything is half price, and then on Sunday morning everything is 65% off! Of course stuff is picked over but I have gotten some unbelieveable stuff on Sunday for practically nothing! As you mentioned…they DO know what they have value-wise and things are priced accordingly for the beginning days of the sale. I dont even bother going until Saturday or Sunday…unless just to scope out whats there so I can do some research and be back on “bargain day”.
I LOVE Estate Sales, but Im just as happy just to hit my fave thrift stores once a week or so. If I happen to hit it right and end up there on their “40% off on everything” day…I feel like a kid in Disneyland!
sandra stella
10. Feb, 2010
Hi Brigitte,
Well, I live in northern NJ, one of the most population dense areas on the east coast. It has gotten more difficult each year to find affordable items at the estate sales. What we all hope for is the “family run” ones where they just want to get rid of the stuff. But those are few and far between. Even dealers who run the sales are writing ads that make you think it is family run. Then you get there and find high prices. The best shopping is probably the church rummage sale (I LOVE those) and next is garage sales, which we are all looking forward to in the spring.
Diana
10. Feb, 2010
I absolutely love going to estate sales. Where I live there is a particular person who has a team that does them. Sometimes there could be several on any given weekend. When I go to them, I always make a “pile” of items I would like to buy and when I am finished, I negotiate a price for all instead of paying “sticker price”. I have also developed a rapport with those that run the sale when I’m ready to “make a deal!!!”
MandoJavier
10. Feb, 2010
I have been to some estate and tag sales and I believe you are correct in your statement that they know exactly what things are worth, so its rare to find a great deal there. Garage sales and the thrift stores are still better places to look for things.
Donna Stovall
13. Feb, 2010
I am an estate sale junkie for sure! I also have to agree with several repliers who state that alot of the time the sales are being run by professionals who more than jack up the prices! However, I did come across 2 last spring that were just family run & they were great! I got antique green glass door knobs (bought for $5.00 – sold for $160.00), old Mouseketeer paper dolls (bought for $7.00 – sold for $22.00) a 1st edition of Gone with the Wind (bought for 50 CENTS!!!! & sold for $86.00) a ruby red depression glass lidded bowl (bought for $5.00 – sold for $60.00) an old beveled glass vanity hand mirror – which when I cleaned it uncovered the words “sterling silver” (oh joy!) – bought for $5.00 – sold for $50.00. It was very profitable to say the least. The professional ones I don’t really like. I had one nasty lady refuse to barter on a price – looking down her nose & snarling “this is NOT a yard sale, dear – the prices are NOT negotiable!” I told her – “Good luck hauling the crap out – because you’ll never get what you’re asking – the prices are ridiculous!” Some pro’s are easier to make deals with than others – & I have noted which one’s I won’t even bother attending. But for sure estate sales for me rule!
Brigitte
13. Feb, 2010
You go Donna!