You Saw It in the Photos. Here’s Why We Don’t Give Prices Online
There’s one question that keeps popping up in the comments:
“How much is this?”
And we get it. When you’re interested in something, your first instinct is to want to know if it is in your budget. You want to know how much something is. And with online shopping, prices are everywhere.
The reason we aren’t answering your questions about price is because we genuinely do not have an answer. We aren’t avoiding your question or keeping the answer a secret. Keep reading to understand how estate sales work and how to shop estate sales in a way that works in your favor.
WHY WE DON’T GIVE PRICES ONLINE
1. We are a team.
There is a full estate sale team working on location to prepare the estate sales. We have a
logistics manager, a social media manager, team leaders, and a full estate sale crew. The
people who post photos and videos are not the same people pricing items inside the home.
There may be times when items get posted online before they are even priced.
2. We Work in Multiple Homes at Once
At any given time, we are managing several homes simultaneously.
There’s a running joke on our team: What day is it, and where am I going? With that kind of volume, it’s simply not realistic to track down individual prices for items being shown online.
3. We Price Thousands of Items—Every Single Month
Not dozens. Not hundreds. Thousands.
Everything from furniture and artwork to kitchen utensils and tools is individually sorted,
organized, and priced. There isn’t a master list we reference, and prices aren’t stored in a
system we can quickly search. Each item exists within the context of that specific home and
sale. We work hard to price items consistently so if you shop with us regularly - you will get
an idea of what to expect in terms of general pricing.
4. Estate Sales Are Local, In Person Events
Even though you’re seeing items online, our estate sales are not online shops.
If you want to purchase something, you’ll need to attend the sale. That is how in person estate sales work.
5. Once the Sale Ends, It’s Over.
We don’t hold items.
We don’t sell after the sale.
And while some items may eventually make their way into our shop, that process takes time and isn’t guaranteed.
If you’re interested in something, the window to buy it is during sale hours. You can buy on the first day when prices are firm or you can take your chances and wait until the last day when everything is half off.
BECOME A BETTER SHOPPER : Focus on worth, not price
If you really want to get the most out of estate sales, this is where your focus should shift. What is something WORTH to you? An item may have a high price but it may be worth way more than the price if it solves a problem for you or helps to make your life better in some way. On the flip side, a low priced item may not be worth the price because the quality is poor, or it doesn’t deliver the results you want, or it’s difficult to maintain.
HERE ARE 5 WAYS TO DETERMINE IF SOMETHING IS WORTH IT
1. Educate Yourself
If you’re shopping for something specific or a big ticket item, think beyond price.
Look into:
• Brands
• Quality differences
• Materials
• Known issues or recalls
The more you understand what you’re buying, the easier it is to recognize value when you see it.
2. Come Prepared
If you’re considering larger items, think ahead.
• Do you have a vehicle that is large enough to transport the item?
• Do you have help to move it?
• Do you need to rent equipment or labor?
The best finds don’t wait for you to figure that out later. Many people rent trucks and muscle to help them move large items.
3. Have a Plan B
Before you buy, ask yourself:
If this doesn’t work exactly where I planned, do I have another place for it?
Can I pass it along to someone else? Can I re sell it?
Can I donate it?
This kind of thinking gives you more confidence when making decisions in the moment.
4. Learn the Company Running the Sale
Every estate sale company operates a little differently.
Pay attention to patterns:
Are prices generally below retail?
Are they higher than retail?
Is pricing consistent from sale to sale?
What is their markdown policy?
You may not know the exact price of an item ahead of time, but you can start to recognize patterns and ranges of pricing. Learning about the estate sale company is far more useful than just focusing on price.
5. Bring a Tape Measure
You should have a general sense of your space:
• Room size
• Furniture layout
• Scale
Being able to quickly gauge whether something will fit is a major advantage.
THESE TIPS APPLY TO MORE THAN JUST FURNITURE AND BIG TICKET ITEMS
It applies to:
• Tools
• Kitchen items
• Everyday household goods
• Decor
Estate sales aren’t set up for price checking ahead of time. They’re set up for people who show up ready to make a decision. Practice these skills and in no time, you will be able to take advantage of great deals because you will have educated yourself on what something is worth and more importantly, what it is worth to YOU. When the opportunity presents itself - you won’t have to hesitate you can make decision quickly and confidently.