Timing Is Everything
Go Early… or Go Late?
One of the questions I’m asked most often is:
“What’s the best day to come to an estate sale?”
My answer is always the same:
“What are you looking for?”
If you’re after the rare, unusual, or highly collectible, the answer is easy.
Go early.
If you’re looking for the biggest bargains and don’t mind taking a chance…
Go late.
Both strategies work—you just have to decide whether you’re buying with your heart or your wallet.
The Early Bird Gets the Vintage Treasure
If you’ve ever driven past one of our sales at 7:00 in the morning and wondered why there are already people standing outside with coffee cups, folding chairs, and the determined look of someone preparing for Black Friday…
…welcome to the wonderful world of estate sales.
These people aren’t crazy.
Well…
Not all of them.
They’re simply experienced.
They know one important rule:
The best treasures rarely wait around.
That pristine Danish teak credenza.
The signed oil painting.
The vintage Rolex.
The complete set of Pyrex.
The rare first edition.
The gorgeous mid-century lamp you’ve been searching for for years.
There’s usually only one.
And once someone buys it…
It’s gone.
Respect the Line
One of the nicest surprises about estate sales is the people.
Yes, everyone wants to be first.
Yes, everyone hopes to find something special.
But there’s an unwritten code among regular shoppers.
Respect the line.
Respect the staff.
Respect the home.
While people wait, conversations naturally start.
Collectors compare finds.
Someone proudly shows photos of last month’s purchase.
Another congratulates a friend who finally found that elusive piece they’ve been hunting for.
It’s competitive…
…but surprisingly friendly.
For security and fairness, we usually ask everyone to sign in.
Some estate sale companies hand out numbered tickets so shoppers can grab breakfast before returning when the doors open. If we expect a particularly large crowd, we’ll sometimes do the same.
One Los Angeles colleague worked on a celebrity estate sale where people queued for more than two hours before opening.
Apparently celebrity kitchen utensils are just as interesting as celebrity gossip.
Have a Plan
Experienced buyers don’t wander aimlessly.
They know exactly where they’re going.
The vintage tool collector heads for the garage.
The jewelry dealer goes straight to the display case.
Book lovers make a beeline for the library.
The mid-century enthusiasts head directly to the living room.
Meanwhile, everyone else is admiring the wallpaper.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with browsing.
Just remember…
While you’re deciding whether Grandma’s wallpaper would look good in your guest bathroom, someone else may already be carrying your dream chair to the checkout.
The Price of Being First
Being first has one obvious advantage:
The best selection.
It also has one obvious disadvantage:
You usually pay full price.
Most estate sales follow a pricing schedule similar to this:
- Day One: 100% of the marked price
- Day Two: Typically 25% off
- Day Three: Often 50% off—or even more on selected items
If you’ve fallen in love with something rare, don’t stand there wondering whether it might still be there tomorrow.
It probably won’t.
The Late Bird Gets the Bargain
Now let’s look at the completely opposite strategy.
Show up late.
This is where the bargain hunters shine.
By the second and third day, many estate sale companies reduce prices to help clear the home.
That oversized dining table nobody could fit into their house?
Now it’s looking like a bargain.
Boxes of kitchenware.
Books.
Christmas decorations.
Garage tools.
Everyday household items.
These can become incredible value.
I’ve watched people furnish an entire apartment for less than the price of one designer sofa.
The trade-off?
Someone else probably bought the signed artwork at 9:05 on Friday morning.
The Sweet Spot: Late on Day Two
Here’s a little insider secret.
If you’re flexible, late on the second day can be one of the best times to shop.
By then:
- Most of the crowds have gone.
- You can actually move around the house.
- There’s still a good selection.
- The staff have a better idea of what is likely to remain.
If there’s an item you’re interested in, it never hurts to ask politely.
Sometimes, if it’s late in the day and we know tomorrow’s discount is coming, we may be willing to work with you.
Not always.
But sometimes.
After all, every item sold today is one less item we have to move tomorrow.
The Last Day Can Be Treasure Hunting
The final day has a completely different atmosphere.
The pressure is off.
People browse more slowly.
Buyers start thinking creatively.
Instead of asking,
“Do I need this?”
they ask,
“How can I use this?”
This is when you can find amazing deals.
Maybe the sofa is too big for most people.
Maybe everyone overlooked the antique sewing box.
Maybe nobody wanted twelve matching dining chairs.
Maybe the collection of vintage tools simply needed the right buyer.
Toward the end of the final day, our focus shifts from maximizing price to emptying the house.
Families usually don’t want to pay to move or store what’s left.
Every item we sell is one less thing to donate, haul away, or dispose of.
Sometimes we’re practically saying,
“Please give this a good home.”
Those are the moments when extraordinary bargains happen.
Which Shopper Are You?
There isn’t a right answer.
Some people love being first through the door.
Others love paying half price.
The really experienced estate sale shoppers?
They do both.
They arrive early for the treasures they simply can’t live without…
…and they come back on the last day to see what everyone else missed.
Because after thirty years of buying and selling, I’ve learned one thing for certain:
Whether you’re first in line or last through the door, there’s always another great find waiting at the next estate sale.