I feel like I do pretty well it when comes to getting bargain prices at estate sales. I’m actually talking about what is commonly known as a “moving sale”, where in some cases, “everything must go”. There are also “downsizing sales”, where the seller is moving and has too much stuff to fit in their future place of residence. Normally those types of sales are conducted by the owner of the goods.

A short time ago I attended a “moving sale” in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The sale was being held by a very wealthy elderly lady. It was a three day sale and I waited until the afternoon of the third day before I went. The last day of a sale is when you can get the best prices. I was the only customer there. I engaged in conversation with the lady and learned that her penthouse was 3,600 square feet, and she was moving to a 1,400 square foot condo. She had sold a lot of stuff, but she still had lots of things left, including 200 fine china cup and saucer sets. I walked through the condo quickly, glancing at a few cup and saucer sets, but not showing much interest. I looked just long enough to notice that they were priced at $2.50 each. I also saw a nice old set of “Temple Dogs”, one red and one green priced at $100 for the pair. I thanked the lady for letting me look and started walking toward the door. The lady asked, “are you interested in anything?’ I said “yes but I’m buying for resale and can’t afford to pay the prices that are marked” She said “you can make me an offer”. I said “OK, I’d like to buy all your cups and saucers, but I can only pay 50 cents each. To my surprise, she said “OK”. Next I politely said “will you take $10 for the pair of temple dogs. Again she said yes. I thought WOW, I just bought $600 worth of merchandise for $110 and the lady was happy to make the sale. She even helped me wrap the stuff.

The points of the story are:

• Don’t be the first person at the sale unless you know the seller, or you know that they have some unique items that you just have to have. The best prices will be during the last few hours of the last day.
• Most important, don’t show too much interest in an item, or the seller will be less likely to accept your offer.
• Always be polite; never tell a seller that their prices are too high. You don’t want to insult the seller.
• Don’t be afraid to make a ridiculously low offer. The seller can only say yes or no, or make a counter offer.
• If the seller refuses to meet your price, walk away. There will be other sales.

Happy hunting.

Lloyd Christopher – Lakeshore Antiques
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/lakeshoreantiques