Treasure Hunting
Estate sales have a way of offering interesting items. All of the goods that have been collected over a person’s entire life are being sold off at the same time. Estate sales are great ways to acquire items that are usually passed down in families. Sets of silver, quilts, heirloom jewelry, and men’s watches can all be acquired at estate auctions. Ridgewood and the area have a few good estate sale/auction companies. Get on their email lists for upcoming sales: Leighton Galleries, Ann’s Tag Sales, and Regal Tag Sales.
Tips for your first Estate Sale:
- Find out the time the sale starts, the time in which numbers will be offered is also listed. This is normally 1 hour before the sale will start. Get to the sale location earlier than the stated time to get your number, just join the crowd. Getting a LOW number is very important! The lower the number means getting into the building sooner.
- Items for sale are marked with a price. The first group in the house gets to pick up and buy any of the items FIRST. That is why getting the low number and being in that 1st group is so very IMPORTANT. My experience has been this can be a very crowded and competitive activity.
- Once you are in the house check out EVERY room. Go through the basement, garage and attic as well. You really never know for sure where a special item you are seeking will show up. Take some bags to help hold onto whatever you pick up. Ask the folks holding the sale where the items you are interested in buying are located. Time is very important to get to the item you want, before someone else gets there and buys what you are looking for.
- Generally speaking, at sales you can negotiate on price. The more you buy the better chance you have. Some sales reduce the prices to 50% off after a certain hour into the sale, or on the 2nd day of a 2 day sale. Wishing you a great day of hunting for YOUR treasures.
