The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
One major rite of passage for any thrifter is attending their first estate sale.
Unlikeshopping at a flea market, you get to peruse one person’s life collection.
In my region,estatesales.netis where the majority of the listings go up.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
you’ve got the option to alsocheck Facebook Marketplaceand follow local estate sale companies to find listings.
Also, don’t sleep on your local paper.
However, it’s always best to come with cash, just in case.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Another thing to consider is how you’re going to transport your items.
Not every estate sale provides customers with boxes or bags.
I like to keep a laundry basket in my car and use it to bring my finds home.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Set an Intention
I like to attend estate sales with a loose goal in mind.
Anytimeyou’re shopping secondhand, it’s always good to have a list of things you’ve been wanting.
I keep my list on my Notes app for easy access.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Don’t let the euphoria of a really great estate sale get to your head, either.
I can distinctly remember attending one estate sale in particular and loved everything I saw.
Luckily, I allotted myself plenty of time to think over my purchases.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
If you’re more interested in scoring a deal, the later days are best.
Some estate sales even turn into a live auction during the very last hour.
I’m all about spreading the good estate sale wordand it pays off.
One local interior designer I follow always posts videos of great estate sales on her Instagram story.
I attended one that she posted about and walked away with a beautiful set of hand-embroidered linens.
I always think of her when I pull them out for a dinner party.
There was also one estate sale this past spring that I received a tip on from two separate friends.
Again, I’ll always be reminded of my friends' thoughtfulness when I read them to her.
