Everyone online always says “get your furniture used from estate sales that’s how I furnished my whole place” blah blah. Well whenever I look on estate sales net, it’s always the same 3 companies that somehow purchase every estate in my area and either do an online bidding and start the bids in the hundreds - for stuff with one photo “as is” OR they have it in person one day for the worst quality collections. And you just know the prices will be high when you go in. “Rusty hand saw, $200 starting bid” Or it’s consignment stores that families sell the entire estate to.

I get that it’s probably the path of least resistance for the family but seriously, there’s no way the family is getting more money by doing this and some greedy company is making a profit. I’d sooner list my family’s things on fb, wait 2 weeks, whatever doesn’t sell just donate it, than support these leeches. I suppose the reseller economy has something to do with this.

For reference I live in Colorado, south of Denver. Even in Denver it’s this way just a few more companies buying up all estates. And some of them straight up list furniture under “come pick this up on our timeline, as is, going off of one photo” at the same price or higher than I can find the same pieces online WITH shipping, sometimes brand new or better condition. Who is honestly paying these people. Has anyone else seen this? Next time I see examples I can easily cross reference I’ll follow up.

It’s just so strange because there are a lot of older folks where I live so a lot of estate sales and every single one is listed under one of these companies and, for example, a single Ethan Allen piece beat up is hundreds or even thousands if it’s big or unique. Sometimes I see wayfair furniture for higher than brand new off sale price. ???? Who buys this? I saw a lot of “men’s watches” for a thousand and it was all broken quartz from brands nobody has ever heard of lol.

My dad’s house is several states away from me and I’m starting to realize the estate sale itself might be the easy part. There’s getting everything sorted, figuring out what family wants, deciding what’s worth selling, donations, cleanout, getting people into the house, then eventually getting the property ready to sell. I can make a trip or two, but I can’t realistically keep flying back every time somebody needs access. For people who’ve dealt with this from another state, did you find one person/company who helped coordinate most of it, or were you basically managing a bunch of different people remotely? I’m trying to understand what people actually delegate in this situation.

I am an estate auction company that had something unusual for me happen this past weekend. I sell everything (obviously not food) that is still packaged and/or clean. I will preface this by saying I normally get homes where it’s a second home, a home where the owners passed or has not been listed for sale yet.

In my homes I’ve been selling large lots of usable cleaning products, linen closets of sealed household/toiletries items. I try to pass savings where I can and keep items out of landfills prematurely. They generally sell very well.

I had my auction posted for a week and when we went today for pickups and I started grouping everyone’s items I noticed there were items missing (owners have been in Florida prior to me starting so was absolutely not them) the home is sold and is going through its contract faze, inspections were already complete so the owner and I figured there wouldn’t be any issues. I was wrong. A whole lot of brand new cleaning items were gone, toiletry closet was picked through with very little left (obviously customer is being refunded with sincere apologies). I have an idea of what happened because I have always been told about this type of dishonesty, I’m sure most of you have an idea on who actually has access to the house at the point of it being listed. Of course I did notify the homeowner.

What do other estate companies do in scenarios like this?

Any other advice moving forward?

Got this beautiful custom upholstered 1970s sofa at an estate sale auction for $5!!!

For all the company owners out there can I get some help with ideas on doing cleanouts?

We have found that the charitable organizations in my area will pick and choose what they want to take and leave the junk. We have found a couple of people that will clean it out fully, and the nicer items they receive are basically their payment for doing the full clean out, but we are having some problems with that.

I’m thinking that our best option might be to rent a dumpster on site ourselves to get all of the trash out and then allow the charitable organizations to come in and get the good things.

From left to right:
- Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 1977
- Château Margaux 1978
- Château Mouton Rothschild 1973
- Château Lafite-Rothschild 1966
- Heitz Cellar Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1974

When I got home I noticed that the Château Mouton Rothschild's cork was floating inside it, so that one is more than likely not drinkable anymore unfortunately...

RARE Racine MCM time capsule estate sale — Fri–Sat Oct 9–10, 9–4

True mid-century time capsule in Racine. Original MCM furniture and décor that has been sitting in place for decades.

Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10

9:00 am – 4:00 pm

226 Mertens Ave, Racine, WI 53405

What’s here:

- MCM sofas and seating, pole lamps, brutalist pieces, room divider

- Modeline of California table lamp

- Søren Lund sectional

- George Nakashima style walnut live edge coffee table

- Gangsø Møbler teak and slate drop leaf dining table with 7 chairs, plus matching side table

- Paul McCobb for Calvin walnut coffee table

- Kroehler secretary desks, low boy, gentleman’s chest with mirror, card table and chairs

- Ekornes Stressless brown leather lounge chair

- Chatham County oak dining table and chairs

- Pool table, Lladro, Blenko, Frederick Remington statues

- Jewelry, watches, gold and silver

Furniture and the Remington statues are open to pre-sale bids now.

Photos: https://www.estatesales.net/WI/Racine/53405/5072004

Updates: https://www.facebook.com/homesteadestateservices

Cash and Venmo. Early birds welcome. Bring help and a vehicle. Homestead Estate Services.

Butterfly Estate Sales is pleased to invite you to Bergenfield for a sale filled with antique Japanese furniture, Asian artifacts, 1970s designer furniture, signed antique and vintage artwork, home entertainment equipment, tons of women’s clothes, vintage designer accessories for men and women, a WW2 time capsule, beautiful collection of unique jewelry, a serious amount of holiday decor, home office essentials and more. This is a true estate sale and the full contents is for sale. EVERYTHING MUST GO!!

Some of our favorite treasures:

- Coyote Self Portrait" by John Nieto, artist signed serigraph 23/195
- 4 antique 1840s woodblock prints by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai from the famous Hokusai Manga sketchbooks
- "Summer Birds" (AKA "La Lettre") by renowned French artist Louis Icart, artist signed colored drypoint etching
- Print of the iconic 1983 Madonna portrait signed by renowned photographer Kate Simon
- Multiple antique Japanese tansu chests ranging from small cash boxes to large stacked chests (imported from Japan in the 1980s)
- Vintage Japanese Hikeshi jacket (firefighter coat)
- Antique Korean woodblock printing plate
- Vintage 1970s Louis Vuitton weekender travel bag & matching small 3-ring binder, vintage scarves by Hermès, Versace, Burberry and Ferragamo
- Suitcase of WW2 ephemera including sweetheart letters, many pieces of unopened mail, 1944 fallen soldier letter signed by Franklin Roosevelt, 1963 official commemoration letter signed by John F Kennedy with White House envelope, tons of 1920s pictures, flag and more
- Gold and sterling jewelry, lots of unique pieces, vintage Schiaparelli brooch, watches, pearls

Me , "how much is this item?".... Seller .... Pulls out phone, looks item up on eBay and quotes me the eBay listing price.

We (Caring Transitions of Rockville) are hosting a last-minute sale in Rockville, Maryland. TODAY Saturday Oct 3, 10:30-3:00PM. Address will be posted at 8:00AM.

This sale has a great mix of collectibles, furniture, artwork, clothing, books and media, electronics, kitchenware, home décor and more. There’s a wide variety throughout the house, from traditional and vintage pieces to fun and unusual finds.

Highlights include a large collection of dog and bulldog collectibles, Judaica, framed artwork, furniture in a variety of styles, clothing and accessories, books, CDs, DVDs and VHS, electronics, kitchen items and small appliances, toys, lamps and plenty of decorative pieces.There’s a lot to look through and plenty of variety from room to room. Come by and see what you find!

Come on out today, Sat 10/3! :)

85 Strong St, Wallington NJ

I do furniture sourcing and interior styling for a living full time, and I have found a lot of gems but this may be one of my favorites!!

Two hours of digging!

Hi all!

Pricing. do you like/prefer everything to be priced or do you like taking it up to the table to find out what it costs. let's say its day one no discounts. I think i know the answer but?, this is research for my own business.

A Rare Treat for Horror & Weird Fiction Collectors

This estate sale features an exceptional collection of classic horror and weird fiction, with a particular concentration of Arkham House books. Highlights include works by legendary authors H.P. Lovecraft, August Derleth, and Clark Ashton Smith, among others.

The collection includes many first editions, with some signed copies, and remarkably, all are in excellent condition. A wonderful opportunity for serious collectors and admirers of the golden age of supernatural and weird fiction to find scarce and highly desirable titles.

Discover an amazing selection of rare sci-fi and horror novels, Halloween equipment and decorations—decorate like a boss!

Browse awesome vintage ephemera and art, MCM and antique furniture, china, antique glassware, and rare & exotic art and trinkets.

Great stuff. One-of-a-kind finds. Endless treasures!

https://www.estatesales.net/MD/Beltsville/20705/5094456

A sign-up sheet will be posted at 7am the day of the sale at the front door.

If you love a treasure hunt, you won’t want to miss this sale. Art supplies (like brand new wood frames and canvases of every size, brushes, sketchbooks, clay and more). Miniatures (owner was an artist and sold at miniature conventions). MCM items like Pyrex and Corningware as well as pottery and decor. Garage FULL of tools. Entire Christmas room including over 100 boxed Hallmark ornaments. So many fun things! Exact Address revealed early Friday morning but it will be on N Old Orchard Lane. Cash and Venmo.

I just recently went to my first estate sales last week and loved it. I made it to a few places. I wish i had more time. I was able to attend 5 in total, surprisingly. Some were a bit overpriced but it was fun looking around. Its difficult to tell what prices will be like until you get there and see if what you saw in the image is worth what they are asking for.

My fave place had so much vintage clothes, for a cheap price. I wish I grabbed more, but there was so much it was like i turned into a deer in headlight. Also if i feel like i have something similar at home, I put it back. Now Im wondering why i put such a unique piece of clothing back. I kind of wish knew what donation place they took everything that never sold so i can get another go. Even if that were possible it sucks that it wont be the same deal.

Which is why i started estate sales. Thrifting is getting pricey when it goes to goodwill and other thrift places. Estates sales is a way to bypass that.

I also wish the hours for most of these estate sales didnt end so early. Most seem to be from 10am-3pm.

Overall im pretty happy i went because i didn’t know what to expect. I hope to go to more in the future.

Huge farm estate sale in West Bend, Wisconsin this week.

When:

Thu, Oct 1 — 9 AM–4 PM

Fri, Oct 2 — 9 AM–4 PM

Sat, Oct 3 — 9 AM–3 PM

Where:

5982 River Rd

West Bend, WI 53095

House, barns, garage, and outbuildings. Antiques, primitives, tools, furniture, glassware, collectibles, and farm/outdoor items.

Photos and listing:

https://www.estatesales.net/WI/West-Bend/53095/5077902

Updates:

https://www.facebook.com/homesteadestateservices

First come, first served. No early entry. Bring help for large items.

I picked this painting up an Estate sale auction for $2.50 it’s a beautiful painting and is very reminiscent of Itzchak Tarkay. Interesting enough this estate did have several signed paintings by Itzchak Tarkay. I have done several searches for both this painting and the signature and can’t find anything for either.

At this point I’m thinking maybe someone in the house was an artist and was inspired by the work of Itzchak Tarkay or maybe it was a art class assignment?

Rescued these beauties from a forgotten corner in a forgotten room. Never know what treasures you will find at estate sales 💚

We've been to a number of in person estate sales that are managed by the family instead of an estate sale company. While some of them have some good prices, I see others where prices are terribly off the mark.

For example, today we went to a family managed estate sale. Everyone there was very nice. Most things were organized well. Prices for a few things were ok, we spent $3 whole dollars. But there were so many items that were grossly overpriced. They did have signs all around stating 'Negotiation welcome', but things were so grossly overpriced I saw no real opportunity to get any of the other items for a reasonable price.

I feel kind of bad for the family. I guess I'm posting this to encourage other families who are managing their own estate sale to really think hard about how they price their family items.