Anatomy of an Estate Sale

You all know how I love my Estate Sales!

 I have found so many wonderful things...

 like china

 And furniture

And Tole Trays

And Silver Trays

 I thought it would be fun to take a look at an Estate Sale coming up tomorrow and go through my process for hunting down the best Estate Sale bargains.  

First, browse through EstateSales.Net and find the Sales in your area.  Look at all of the pictures to decide which sale you want to go to first.  I usually MapQuest the sale and have the directions sent to my phone.  From that address I MapQuest the next sale and so on...  I really take it seriously!  

Things to bring with you:  

Cash, checks, credit cards- some take cash only, some take checks(I hardly ever write checks anymore, do you?) and cash and some take Cash, checks and credit cards.  They will usually say on Estatesales.net what their policies are.

Bags or boxes-  You have to carry your things around with you so it's easier to put them in something.

I always have grocery bags in my car from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods so I just stick one in my purse.  I keep a box in my car with packing paper just in case I buy something breakable.

Furniture Pads- I keep a couple of furniture pads and a small blanket in my car in case I find a great piece of furniture.

Tape Measure-  Know the measurements of your space at home if you are looking for a particular piece of furniture.  Things sell fast!  You don't have time to go back and measure.

Water and a snack-  Hey, you get hungry and thirsty bargain hunting!  

Let's take a look at my first stop tomorrow:

EstateSales.net

Pretty Silver.  I really like that champagne bucket and I am always looking for Silver Trays to add to my collection.   I have certain things on my list that I always look for; Silver, China, Table Linens, and Landscape paintings.  Get to know the people who run the sales.  They are always very nice and they will point you in the direction of what you are looking for.

EstateSales.net

The description says: Wallace Grande Baroque sterling flatware 60 pc set.  This looks like a nice set.  If I were really interested in the set then I would compare the price on Ebay before I went to the sale.  Let's do it just for fun!

ebay

 Ebay says $3,250 for this 59 piece set!  Wow!!! Now I am excited to see what the Estate Sale price will be!  

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I always find it interesting what people collect.  It gives me insight into what they might have been like.  I think the little dogs are cute.  I like the Secretary desk too.

EstateSales.net

This is a nice piece of furniture.  That means that there will be other nice pieces too.  I like the lamps also.  I am looking for some with black shades.

EstateSales.net

Here is a lamp that might just come home with me!

EstateSales.net

The Basement and the Garage have the Hidden Treasures.  Often you will find antique dishes that the homeowner has had packed away for years and lots of Vintage items.  I usually spend the majority of the time in the basement or the garage.  

EstateSales.net

Sooooo, They were Really BIG Drinkers!!!  I told you that you get a sense of what the people were like!

OK, wish me luck!  

I'll report back tomorrow,

Until Next Time,

Beaux R'eves

XO Cindy

Read my follow up post to see how I did! 
How'd I Do?  My Estate Sale Follow Up

Joining Stone Gable for  Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits
 Susan's Tablescape Thursday 
  Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
 From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday 
Poutpourri Friday at 2805
 Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Heather and Vanessa at At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday