Estate Sale Shopping For Dummies – All The Tips And Tricks You Need To Know

You’ve been to the thrift store. You love the flea market. You’ve exhausted Facebook Marketplace. Where’s a gal to find that special something at a price that won’t break the bank? The answer is the estate sale – so buckle up, because today we’re exploring the deals that can be found in the land of downsizing, death, debt, and divorce. (The “4 D’s,” as they’re known in the estate sale world!)

I’ve often heard that my friends – even the savvy designers who can greet flea market vendors by name! – are too intimidated to hit the estate sale circuit, so let’s break it down! Enter: my step-by-step guide to get you feeling confident, prepped, and ready to shop like a pro.

Perrier Jouet Champagne Glasses | Sarcophagus Trinket Box | Champagne Limoges-Style Box | Bamboo Bud Vase |Onion Limoges Box | Silver-Plated Knife Rests | Malachite Trinket Box | Fly Trinket Box | Letter Opener

If you’ve ever wondered where your favorite vintage furniture store or online vendor sources their product, the overwhelming majority would cite estate sales as a key supplier! (Actually, the overwhelming majority would probably stay tight-lipped out of fear of competition, but I’m a yapper who can’t keep a secret.)

I reached into my dining room cabinet and pulled a few of my recent estate sale scores. Each piece was purchased within the past year, and I looked up the current vintage market price for each – it’s safe to say that if you’re not shopping estate sales, YOU’RE MISSING OUT ON HUGE SAVINGS. Champagne taste on a beer budget? Buy your pieces straight from the source, just like an expert – no vendors or markups required. Let’s get into it!

Where to Find Estate Sales

• EstateSales.net: It is, in fact, this easy. Pop in your zip code, hit enter, and you’ll be taken to a master list of all the sales in your area. If you’re a beginner, I’d recommend customizing the filters on the left hand side to eliminate auctions or online-only sales. (There are still lots of deals to be found in those categories, but they open a whole new can of logistical worms.)
• Local Companies: Once you’ve sorted through a few sale listings, take note of the listing party. If it’s a business, sign up for their email list – you’ll learn about their next sale before anyone else, and you’ll also often have first dibs to purchase any leftover pieces at deeply, deeply discounted prices. (I’ve scored more 50% off deals from Sales by Helen than I care to admit!)
  
  Once you develop a rapport with your local businesses, they may allow you to pre-buy pieces or add yourself to the sign-up sheet (we’ll get there) via text message. It pays – literally – to be nice here!
• Craigslist, Yard Signs & More: Don’t skip out on private, family-run sales. If you’re trying to stretch your dollar, these will be your best bet. (In my experience, these may lack the same organization that you’d see from a professional sale – allocate a little extra time here. But since the items included haven’t been assessed by appraisers, you’re far more likely to score an awesome deal!)

How To Prepare For Your First Estate Sale

Before you dive in, a word of wisdom: the estate sale game is, for the most part, luck-based. You’re making decisions off imperfect information; you’re hoping that other shoppers have differing tastes; you’re banking that the home won’t be cleared out before you arrive. If you love certainty, this might not be fun! But if you go in with the attitude that it’s up to chance and that you’ll find the pieces that are meant for you, you’ll always have a great time. You’ve been warned! Now let’s get you prepped for your first sale visit. 🙂

Step One: Pick A Sale – My rule of thumb? If you like the home, it’s worth a shot. If there’s at least one item in the photos that makes you go “hm, that’s kind of cool,” it’s worth a shot. If there’s no home decor pictured but the fashion is high-end and well-kept, it’s worth a shot.

Step Two: Do Your Research – Google Lens is your friend here! If you spot an item you love in the preview photos, do a quick search to familiarize yourself with its standard pricing. (You can also use Google Lens in real-time at the sale, but I prefer prepping ahead of time in the interest of moving quickly!)

Several vintage store owners I’ve spoken to over the years take this step to the next level: they check out the Google street view and aerial view of the property, in hopes of gleaning a better understanding of where certain pieces may be located inside the home. (If you’re a normal person, you can skip this step. If you’re a full-time vintage seller in need of inventory to pay your bills…well, creep away, girl!)

Step Three: Prepare Yourself – Set your budget. Clarify the parking situation. Take care to read the listed terms and conditions – understand if you need to bring ID (sometimes required for more expensive purchases), if credit cards are accepted, and what the pickup process will look like for larger, bulkier items.

When Should I Go To The Estate Sale?

I have a hot take here: if you’re just starting out, stick to the last day. The deals will be far better – prices can be marked down as much as 75% – and some sellers will also enact an “all you can fit in one box” standard pricing in an attempt to totally clear out the home.

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the lay of the land (the hold tables, the lines, the entry/exit procedure, all that jazz), figure out which day you like best. Maybe you’re the type who wants to sit in their car at 3 AM to grab the first slot on a sign-up sheet! Maybe you like posting up in line at 5 AM with a lawn chair! Or maybe that chaos and competition can feel a little overwhelming, so you realize that you’re a definitive day 2 or day 3 shopper. (Maybe you’ll learn that you hate the whole thing and that you prefer online sales and auctions instead! In any case, you’re learning something about yourself. That’s pretty neat, no?)

What To Bring (And What To Leave In The Car)

For the casual estate saler, I’d recommend keeping the following in your car before heading out.

• Sunscreen: There’s a chance you’re going to end up standing outside. Protect yourself! (I keep this roller in my car for touch-ups – it’s perfect for the flea market, too.)
• A Tape Measure: Always. Who wants to buy a piece and then realize it doesn’t actually fit?
• Compact Tote Bags: I’ve yet to encounter a sale without a “no large bags policy,” but schlepping all that stuff to your car can be hard without one! A collapsible bag like this will be easy to stash in a smaller purse or even a large pocket – just pull it out after you’ve paid to transport everything easily!

• Boxes & Blankets: Some sales will allow you to carry a box inside. Some sales will provide boxes to you at checkout. Nearly every sale, however, will be out of packing paper. If you’re going hunting, keep an empty cardboard box and some blankets or towels in the back of your car. (Trust me: one day you’ll buy glassware, china, or ceramics, and you will be SO THANKFUL. A stressful drive home is not how you want to end the day!)
• Dolly: If you’re planning to scoop furniture, you’re responsible for moving it out of the home. Smaller pieces can be managed with a dolly. Larger pieces may require a rental truck or a team of movers. Have a plan before you head to the sale.
• A Friend: If you’re buying a lot, bring a pal. They can serve as a second opinion, an extra set of hands, or a valued line of defense against the vultures at the hold table. I far prefer shopping solo at the mall or flea market, but estate sales are a team sport in my book.

You’re In! Now What?

You’ve found the home. You’ve parked the car. You’ve stood in line. And now, it’s your turn to shop. My suggested strategy here is similar to the one I employ at the flea market: I like to do one pass to familiarize myself with the layout and inventory, a second pass to deep-dive into every nook and cranny of each room, and a final lap before checking out to see if any items had been put down by other shoppers.

The catch? If something stands out to you, GRAB IT. If there’s a chance you’d like to take a piece home, pick it up. There is no greater pain than seeing the vase you’d “be right back for” as it exits the premises in another’s arms. Some sales will create a tag for you where they can mark items as sold, which can free up your hands a bit – but when it doubt, pick something up and DO NOT put it down! (Again, this is where having a friend can come in handy.)

The second catch? DON’T TRUST THE HOLDS TABLE. The holds table is a lawless swamp – a helpful tool that’s been transformed into a bastion of stealing and drama. In theory, the holds table is a service – a place for you to put down claimed items while you continue to shop – but in reality, it’s rarely marked, oft unmonitored, and most folks genuinely don’t realize that the pieces on top aren’t supposed to be shopped or taken. Don’t risk it – keep schlepping and say a silent “thank you” that at least you’re getting a workout in while shopping.

And I’ll echo the time-honored advice to look everywhere. I’ve seen folks leave sales with cans of food, craft supplies, packing materials, lawnmowers – the list never ends. Check in drawers, basements, or garages. If it’s not marked off or blocked off, it’s yours to explore. When else are you going to be able to be this nosy in a stranger’s home? Enjoy the process!

3 Final Estate Sale Negotiating Thoughts

You’ve navigated the sale, you’ve filled your arms, and you’re ready to check out. What’s next?

Everything is Negotiable…Kind Of: When it comes to multi-day sales, any discounting requests will likely be met with a response akin to “kick rocks.” There may be some wiggle room via a bundling discount for those looking to purchase a large quantity of items, however. The likelihood of a successful negotiation increases with each day – read the room, read the seller, and play nice!

Cash Can (Occasionally) Be King: Within the last few years, I’ve seen a massive switch away from cash in favor of paying with credit cards, Zelle, or Venmo. The classic refrain that cash can sweeten a deal? It’s no longer the normal experience (here in LA, at least – I’d imagine that the trend is crossing the country as we speak).

The real value of cash, IMO, is as a price limiter. I bought the storage piece and china set you see above for $200 flat at a family-run estate sale – a price only agreed to because the sellers saw me empty my pockets and knew I only had $200 in cash.

BE NICE: I alluded to it before, but YOU NEED TO BE NICE. Be nice to the others in line; be nice to the people who let you in the door; be nice to the folks at checkout. In the instance above, I hadn’t realized that the home was swarming with family members – not other shoppers – and it was their advocacy on my behalf that landed me the deal! (“Come on,” they told the woman manning the till. “It’s almost over. She loves them. Just give them to her,” the family said as I offered my paltry sum.) Be complimentary, be kind, and keep any other thoughts to yourself – sometimes luck can be aided by a good attitude, I find 🙂

If you have any other tips or tricks, I’d love to hear them! Have you ever scored anything awesome at an estate sale? Any stories? Have you been inside of any incredible houses? (I loved Tony Duquette’s 2023 studio estate sale – scored a huge $37 framed photograph from underneath a table on the final day of the sale that shocked the sellers; they had no idea it was there! – and I’m crazy about the beautiful homes I’ve seen through Handled Estate Sales here in LA!)