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I actually go the first and the last day if I have the time for very different reasons. On day one I grab the stuff I am solid on value and the ability to resell. Typically that day is super busy and I don’t buy as much. The last day is when I really load up at super cheap prices. That’s when I feel comfortable taking risks because my costs are so low.
That’s a hard lesson depending on what you paid. For us, we won’t pay for something we can’t throw away guilt free if we are wrong. Estate sales for us are gold mines, but we also don’t typically buy the “sexy” stuff. We are the ones sorting through stuff and paying pennies on the dollar. I often feel bad if we pay over $40 for a car full.
I firnly believe I don’t need to hit a home run with every purchase. I am okay hitting singles til I get something I can knock over the fence. Pardon the sports analogy.
As an aside and hopfully some encouragement. today we went to the 1/2 off sale at an estate sale. We loaded the car for $45. Among the items was a blue PS1 game console. Originally priced at $50, I managed to get it for $7 as the doors were closing. Im not typically electronics guy but it looked different and I didn’t know why. It took some researching but I figured out why it was different. It was an original debugger for the game. I listed it at $400 and I don’t think the price is that far from where it should be. We will see.
Stay confident. Spend only what you can afford to lose or throw out. And remember this works if you stick with it.
Im a long winded bastard. Sorry.
That was the problem. The evidence was clear and undisputed that the damage occured during return shipping which, under the policy, was attributable to the buyer.
In the future I will roll with Ryanne and Blessed’ advice and simply not open a case.
It’s been fun branching out.
We are a couple of hours north of California in the middle of Oregon.
I will come out of lurker mode.
Jay is spot on. Plan on going twice and don’t be afraid to dig.
Be prepared to start piles. Don’t try to awkwardly carry everything while you search.
Be prepared for crowds if you are there early. Some are very well attended and it is like being in a crowded bar. I go through a second time after the crowd dies down to see if I missed anything.
Bring a flashlight. A lot of times the lighting is horrible, particularly when you are digging in the corners. We have stuff in the death piles that looked so much better when poorly lit.
I always try to find out the history of the estate– what folks did for a living or fun will help me in my search. Today I went to one for a music videographer who worked with famous musicians. I paid more attention to the media boxes.
Even on day one I will make offers when something isn’t marked, which is alot of what I grab. Don’t be afraid to lowball depending on what you have.
They will be either run by the family or by a professional company and each has pros and cons. If you are going to do this for long it pays to get to know how each professional seller operates. I know which ones I can get a good deal on a lot, which ones mark up certain types of items, and which ones expect you pay eBay prices for everything. Listen to them talk to other people as you search. You would be amazed what you learn about them and the stuff at the sale.
On the final day I tend to go hog wild. As Jay said, there are often great discounts and you still find awesome stuff.
