The Down Low On Estate Sales

Rise and shine, it's almostsunrise on a Saturday morning. Time to grab the coffee and head out to theestate sales.

Usually around aboutWednesday, there will be ads to let you know where the sales are in the areafor the weekend coming up. Sometimes they're posted two or more weeks prior forthe bigger sales.

Where To Find Estate Sale Ads

• Estatesales.net. Enter your zip code to find sales near you.
• Craigslist.  Look under your city or town.
• Local newspaper or online newspaper. Classifieds under Estate Saleor Miscellaneous heading.
• Website. Some estate sale professionals have their own websiteswhere they promote their shows.  Use the search engine “Estate Salevendors” in your local area. The websites will pop up and you can go to thepage of your choice. It should tell about their upcoming sales and even have photos.

When you find the showyou're interested in going to. It's best to start out early. You'll get a peakat everything when it's first out and before anything has been sold.

Rule of thumb for value:

• Day 1- full price
• Day 2 - 50 % discount

To get the best deal, lookaround and see what you may be interested in and go back on day two to seewhat's left.  Now if it's something you have to have, buy It!

Rules Of Etiquette At An Estate Sale.

There are just some things wedo out of decency as humans, and this list comprises just a couple suggestionson manners and then one or two tips for you as buyer.

• Cash.  Only bring cash. No personal checks or credit cards(sometake credit cards but you may be charged a fee). Also, small bills, e.g. $1,$5, $10. Unless you're planning on buying a lot of furniture, you won't needbills higher than this.
• Bargaining.  Never come up to say you know it's not worth theprice on it and what all is wrong with it or announce what you'll give for it. Instead, quietly shop, gather what you want, bring it to check out withthe total cost already figured in your mind. Let the checkout know this is thetotal and ask if they would be willing to take this figure for the lot---notindividual pieces, one by one. Most sales will not bargain on the first day.
• Budget.  Have an idea of what you want to spend and don't goover that. Too, know what you're coming for. Doesn't mean you can't buyanything else, but you'll have a goal.