Weddingbee Blog

So here we are on the second part of the sale series…ESTATE SALES. The true joy of my Saturday mornings (and if I’m lucky and can swing it with my work schedule, Friday mornings, too). Estate sales are a serious treasure hunt for the nosy people who like to dig through other people’s stuff…which is still set up in their houses.

That’s right, estate sales are a lot different than garage sales (in a much better way, trust me). So here’s the know-how to score some totally amazing—and totally valuable—finds.

Photo: I realize this is a poor-quality picture of our $15 trunk (which still included all leather strappage and inside partitions), but just look at our sweet Millie! Cutie!

WHAT TO EXPECT

It’s a Full House So You Better Get To Diggin’: Estate sales are generally held when the person living in the house passes away or is no longer able to live at home. It’s kinda-sorta like a moving sale, but way (WAY) better, and generally a lot busier than garage sales. Don’t be surprised if you have to wait in a little line outside and follow the whole “one in, one out” rule; it just helps them keep an eye on potential thievery and shenanigans.

Although it is very stressful when you see people walking out with arms positively full of great bargains, and you are so nervous and excited and anxious that you may just pee your pants right there on the sidewalk. The longest I’ve had to wait outside is an hour an a half? Was it worth it? YES. Did I wish I wore a heavier coat? When it started snowing I did.

Most of the time, estate sales are organized, priced, set up, everything’d, by an outside company whose main objective is to get everything the heck out while still making a few bucks for the owner or family members to pay some leftover bills. That, my friends, is golden news for you, because they are usually much more willing to negotiate and they have zero emotional attachment to the old Christmas tree you’re trying to haggle down to $5.

At the very first estate sale Mr. Jam and I ever went to, the worker at the door said (and I will never forget this), “Everything is for sale and nothing is marked. Let me know if you see something you like, and I’ll make sure you leave with it.”

And that right there is why I love estate sales. That “Make any offer and I probably won’t refuse” mentality is so refreshing. And dangerous, because I tend to clean them—and my wallet—out.

Mink Coat? Vintage Designer Handbag? Diamond Wedding Jewelry?: You will also have a much, much better chance finding antiques, valuable jewelry, and all-around better quality treats at estate sales because they are in such a rush to get rid of everything. I know that a lot of places say they consider each item and decide its worth beforehand, but really, who can do that for a house full of treasures? Talk about a mission impossible.

One More Tidbit of Yummy Info: A lot of times when you hit up an estate sale the day after it started (e.g. go on Saturday when it opened on Friday) or arrive later than the Early Bird rush (a la 11 AM or noon), not only will sellers throw out lower numbers to get the dealios rolling, but items that are marked will be severely discounted.

Considering that most of what isn’t sold is usually donated or thrown away once the sale is over, the sellers are desperate to make any money on the remaining items still hanging around. Take advantage! You could also leave your information with the seller asking that they contact you when the sale is over and you can come over and take one more look, potentially enabling you to walk away with even more stuff at a ridiculously low price.

Photo: The $10 enamel-top table (you saw it here first!) that is hands-down my FAV-orite estate sale find. we diligently dug it out from under a pile of crappola in a basement, and now it resides in our “furniture-that’s-waiting-to-be-cleaned-or-restored” graveyard (AKA the unused sun room attached to the garage). We’ve got big plans for this guy.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

Eat Yer Wheaties and Pump That Iron: You’re going to need to wear comfortable shoes, clothes, and bring your muscles in a big way. I never realized this was such a necessity until Mr. Jam and I carried a so-heavy-it-still-hurts-me antique trunk (pictured above) down winding stairs from the attic of an historical home as I wore gladiator sandals and a sundress in 90-degree heat with no air. Holy.

Trust this gal when I say you need to wear comfy kicks, old clothes, and get ready to get dirty when you’re digging in the attic and basement—which naturally have the best finds.

A Few More Deets: Remember that Garage Sale Survival Kit I told you about in my last post? You’re going to need it again. Now that I’m remembering how dirty some of the things I hauled away were, you might also want to throw some baby wipes and hand sanitizer into the kit.

Also follow the previous regarding cash, handbags, and car storage (take it, leave it, need it, in that order).

’TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE SALES

What Time Is It? Game Time, HUH!: Going back to my previous tips about the ultimate plan of attack, you’re going to need to integrate estate sales into the mix. Keep in mind what days and times the sales start and which have items that match what you’re looking for.

Remember to utilize Craigslist, local papers and bulletin boards, Google hits, and my all-time favorite resource, EstateSales.net. OMG you guys, I would marry this site if I could. It even shows pictures of future goodies at sales, telling you a lot about what kind of feasts (or famines!) await you inside.

Once you figure out which places you want to hit up, rank them in order of importance and visit them in the order you ranked them. Listen, there is a killer turquoise and silver lamp advertised for this Saturday. I’m stopping there first (even though it’s so far out of my way I will get a tour of the whole city) because it will seriously put a damper on the rest of my thrifty day if I don’t at least look at it. It’s just so perfect, I can’t help myself.

PHOTO: My HUGE summer project, which currently looks hideous and resides in the aforementioned furniture graveyard. This is my 1800s horse-hair love seat that came all the way from the East Coast and I got for a whopping $10. Needs a total makeover, but it’s worth it because we heard the original owners rubbed elbows with the Kennedys. So chic. Yes, it’s resting on a rug because it’s missing a back leg. Poor thing.

Estate Sale Wedding Goods: Vintage weddings are incredibly chic, but I’m preeetty sure we know that by looking at the wedding blogosphere at any given time. What better way to channel your own vintage diva than with an expensive-looking, luxe fur stole, antique apothecary glasses for centerpieces, a set of Tiffany’s silver…that you got for just a few bucks?! Seriously, it’s just that good and just that darned thrifty.

So what’s the verdict? Don’t estate sales at least sound more exciting than garage sales? Do you agree, or agree to disagree? Ever found any treasures at one? Let’s talk thrifty and swap stories.

Coming up next…GARBAGE PICKING. You may turn your nose up now, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Seriously, your minds will be blown and you won’t know what to do about it.