Estate Sale Shopping Guide, Strategy, and Etiquette

Happy Friday, friends! I stupidly threw caution to the wind yesterday and decided to brave an estate sale in my neighborhood, despite my doctor’s bedrest orders (won’t be doing that again!). It felt too close, my pain meds had me feeling invincible, and I couldn’t resist… though I’m fully regretting that decision today. While there, I did manage to snap some photos and have long promised to elaborate on this particular topic that has become a fun hobby of mine. Click through for my estate sale shopping tips, strategy, and etiquette guide. I’m breaking down the essential tidbits you should know before going in…

Almost a year ago, I spilled my secrets on how to find & shop home estate sales. Definitely give that blog post a read, if you’ve yet to do so! It contains the most important info… how to find the good estate sales, how to negotiate, things I always keep an eye out for, things you should bring with you, how early to arrive, and how I navigate each sale. Today, I’m diving into the basics…. estate sale strategy and etiquette, because believe it or not- those two components play the biggest factor in your secondhand shopping success. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Create a Plan

My estate sale strategy begins a few days before the sale. I’ll mark my calendar, look up the location, plan my arrival time, and figure out how to secure parking (which is often limited). Most times, I’ll also coordinate with my estate sale buddy, Jordan. Shopping and waiting in line is more fun with a friend! I’ll also browse any preview images advertising the sale, noting things I like. I’ll also try to identify which room they’re in- so I can easily navigate to a specific item… planning & scoping out the sale in advance.

Arrival and Securing Your Spot

The day of the sale, I like to arrival early, securing a good spot in the front of the line. I typically arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the sale start time. Depending on the company hosting the sale, sometimes you simply wait in line, and other times they’ll assign numbers. Be sure to dress for the weather, because you’re standing in the elements. I also consider my shoes, as you’re often as to remove them. I try to wear a pair that slides on and off easily at the door.

Abide by Sale Rules

Can you tell this estate sale is in my neighborhood? The below doors probably look familiar! If you missed it, check out this post on how to measure, select, and install interior doors… and to see our updated ones (the below door looks just like our originals- hardware and all).

It’s important to abide by the estate sale rules for an orderly and pleasant experience. Typically they’ll post these in advance. Here are some common ones:

• Payment method… choose the easiest or preferred payment method to expedite the checkout process (typically credit card).
• Signage… abide by posted signs throughout the home- remove shoes, no entry, careful on stairs / watch your step, max capacity, no food or drink inside, etc.
• Hold policies & sold stickers… usually the only way to place a hold on an item is with an approved sold sticker. These are usually only used for larger items. Other companies simply require you pulling a tag from an item. Understand the company’s rules prior to entering the sale.
• Negotiations… most companies don’t allow negotiation on the first day of the sale, as it’s a waste of time. They’ll often post which day they’ll begin to slash prices and accept offers. Reframe from negotiating until the given day.
• Moving and pickup… when you purchase a large item, such as furniture- make sure you know when you’re expected to move the piece out of the home for transport. Be careful not to damage anything when moving your item (banging walls, scuffing baseboards, scratching flooring, etc). You’re always responsible for moving your purchased items- so bring moving supplies and help.
• Damaged goods… careful not to damage anything in the home or for sale. Typically, if you break something- you buy it. There are often lots of vintage, antique, and old items that should be handled appropriately.
• No running… you’d be surprised how many people I’ve seen be reprimanded for running. Enter the sale calmly and respectfully. Wait your turn to enter a space and be mindful of others. I think it goes without saying, but avoid pushing or rushing past other shoppers- especially in tight areas. Practice patience!

Basic & Common Etiquette

There are also plenty of “unwritten rules”. Here are some unspoken rules I can think of:

• Lining up… join the line behind the last person in line, and patiently wait your turn to enter the estate sale premises. Holding spots for friends or cutting in line is never a nice move- plan to arrive together instead. The same goes for the checkout line… no cutting.
• Requesting prices… often times photos shared in advance to preview or advertise the sale don’t include prices. People comment asking for specific prices and are never met with a response. It’s the estate sale company’s goal to get people in the door, so they never answer those questions in advance. Therefore, it’s common knowledge to not request pricing in advance, ask about discounts, or request holds. Those are all off limits on social media surrounding the sale.
• The “claimed section” or personal piles… many sales have a claimed section where people can drop their piles while they continue to shop for more. It’s often near the checkout. More often than not, I see people shopping the piles- which is a big no. It’s also the reason I try to carry everything with me in totes or place a sold tag on an item too large to carry- that’s usually a safer bet than dropping goods in a pile during the busiest time of the sale. Don’t be the person who peruses other people’s piles.
• Reframe from bringing children… it’s frowned upon to bring kids to an estate sale. A packed home filled to the brim with breakables is no place for children.
• Be respectful… don’t rush through the door or race others, take turns in small spaces, and understand that everyone has different motives and a right to be there. Some are enjoying a day out of the house, others make a living from estate sale shopping, and some are simply curious neighbors- be kind to everyone. Don’t remove sold stickers, don’t hoard items you don’t intend to purchase, treat the home as you’d like your house to be treated, and generally- just be a kind human. It goes a long way! Also be respectful to the home, the family, the staff, and other shoppers.
• Don’t start a heated argument… learn to get over misunderstandings quickly. If you see someone who has checked out with an item from your pile, let it go. The company will almost never issue a refund, even if it was “claimed”… as all sales are final. Is it a rude move on the other person’s part? Absolutely. Is there anything you can do? Not really.
• Keep opinions to yourself… you never know if family members are attending the sale. Careful what you say and keep opinions to yourself, as estate sales are often emotional subjects (death, divorce, or downsizing).

Understand Sale Timing & Mark Downs

The first and last day of the sale are very different. The pricing varies greatly, the crowd is totally unique audiences, and the overall pace or energy is feels much different. On the first day, prices are firm. You’ll notice lots of dealers or resellers securing a prime spot in line, and stress levels are a bit higher. The vibe is usually more serious. On the second and third day, items can be discounted 20-50%, and the crowd is typically mixed. The overall energy is the most relaxed mid sale. On the final day of the sale, the crowd usually changes to extreme bargain shoppers, prices are slashed, deals are made, and the energy or stress level increases once again. It’s a bit of a roller coaster, so choose the experience you prefer.

FAQ

Related

Looking for more secondhand shopping, vintage, and thrifting posts? I’ll link some of my favorites for you below, along with tips for scoring designer furniture & decor on a budget…

• 5 Ways to Score Quality, High-End Furniture on a Budget
• How to Find & Shop Home Estate Sales
• Thrifting Tips & Favorite Salt Lake City Stops
• Tips for Thrifting Good Vintage Glassware (& How to Clean It)
• Tips for Thrifting Books
• Keywords to Use When Searching for Large Vintage Rugs
• Tips for Scoring Used & Vintage Furniture Online
• 50 Ideas for Elevating Readymade Home Items on a Budget

I hope this post was helpful! I’m definitely paying for yesterday’s estate shopping excursion and will be taking my doctor’s advice for a low key weekend ahead. It’s actually mine and Emmett’s anniversary on Sunday, but it’s looking like we’ll do simple dinner at home. Honestly, that’s fine by me this year! We’ve had a busy summer, and it’s probably best to relax & recover. What is everyone else up to? Here’s to a good one!