Yard sale buyers unwritten code of conduct

[valee]

Some estate sales in the DC area put out a box with laminated cards with numbers before the sale begins. When you arrive, you grab a number. That lets you sit in your car. The etiquette is that folks will line up in that sequence just before the sale starts, and be let in in small groups.
I'll try to explain a nuance - If you're not there when you're number's called (they tend to call and let in groups of say, 10 at a time), you lose your spot. There were some dealers who would drive around and pick up numbers at several sales, and then go from sale to sale once they opened, and expect to be let in if they had a lower number than the next group at the door, even if the dealer's number had already been called. That meant that they expected a quick drive-by to pick up a number at 5 am would permit them to get in before someone who'd been standing since 6 am but had a higher number. Most of the sales agents have been politely telling those folks "Sorry, but that number was already called and you weren't here". That seems fair to me - it works at the deli counter.

 

[seashoreCM]

Would it be too confusing or cumbersome if the persons running the estate sale took "best offer over" on any prepriced item that more than one person in there wanted to buy?

That meant that they expected a quick drive-by to pick up a number at 5 am would permit them to get in before someone who'd been standing since 6 am but had a higher number. Most of the sales agents have been politely telling those folks "Sorry, but that number was already called and you weren't here". That seems fair to me - it works at the deli counter.

And at the fastpass entrance after your fastpass has expired.

I We arrived at a yard sale an hour early (it was an estate sale). DH and I got out of the car and were first in line.

A guy gets out of his car about 5 minutes later, tries to make small talk, and lets DH and I know that we were the 3rd car to arrive, therefore we are not first in line.

DH was not surprised, as last time he went to a sale he was told the same thing.

I think the people are full of hooey.

I say that the first people IN LINE are the first people to get into the sale. Not the first people who show up and stay in their nice warm vehicle until 10 minutes before the sale or until the line starts getting long.???

An argument can be made for "first car there" if the people got out of their cars at roughly the same time. This prevents racing on foot for the door or for the "line starts here" sign.

 

[mistysue]

As I put in my other post, there was a sign that read "Line Starts Here" where they wanted people to line up. There was nobody in the house, as this specific sale was being held by a company that specializes in estate sales. They are very well known around here, and even have a website.

As you put in your other post after I responded. Please don't say it as if I'm just not reading the thread. You didn't mention that sign until after somebody actually disagreed with you. I have not ever been to an estate sale with a sign like that. Once I was in a situation where people lined up, but that was a fiasco and the company basically sold first to the people they knew, ignoring the line anyways. If there is a sign to form a line that OBVIOUSLY changes the rules for that sale.

 

[smj2610]

As a person who is having an estate sale I do think their is alot of etiquette missing...I am taking care of my parents estate they had alot of stuff(enough to fill 2 10x10 storage units along with my garage and storage barn) Only a few antique things the rest was general stuff so it made no sense to hire an auctioneer, but people really need to understand and respect the no early birds, with all the stuff my parents had I had to split it into 2 sales, I did the first one 2 weeks ago and specifically said no early birds as there are children getting on the school busses till 8:30 so I set the sale to begin at 9:00, I had people showing up at 7:30 causing trouble for the school busses. I am moving my next sale to 10:00 am to try and get people to respect the local school busses

 

[laurafergie]

I've been to tons of estate sales. You have to stand up for yourself, because the regulars are brutal and very pushy. If there is not a sign up sheet for entering times OR a number box...then you line up to get in. And yes, it will be on the property of the house. Yes, it will be a minimum of an hour early, probably earlier, if you want to get your specific item. The waiting in the car nonsense the OP is talking about is BS.

 

[rszdtrvl]

As you put in your other post after I responded. Please don't say it as if I'm just not reading the thread. You didn't mention that sign until after somebody actually disagreed with you. I have not ever been to an estate sale with a sign like that. Once I was in a situation where people lined up, but that was a fiasco and the company basically sold first to the people they knew, ignoring the line anyways. If there is a sign to form a line that OBVIOUSLY changes the rules for that sale.

No problems. Sometimes it is hard to remember everything.

This sale ALWAYS has a sign like that on the door. It is common for us to know, not someone from another state.

That is why I figured it was bunk that the other people are trying to dictate what the order of the line is.

If the sign says "Line Forms Here", then if you are not in line, you are not in the spot you need to be.

I was not offended by your post, and am sorry if I came out snarky.

 

[robinb]

No problems. Sometimes it is hard to remember everything.

This sale ALWAYS has a sign like that on the door. It is common for us to know, not someone from another state.

That is why I figured it was bunk that the other people are trying to dictate what the order of the line is.

If the sign says "Line Forms Here", then if you are not in line, you are not in the spot you need to be.

I was not offended by your post, and am sorry if I came out snarky.

I think it's odd that your first post sounded like you were an Estate Sale newbie and now you seem like an Estate Sale expert. So, this thread was really meant as a vent?

 

[Lucille1963]

In many cases, in my area the first person to arrive makes a list and each person to arrive afterwards signs it. Sitting in your car does count as being in line and it is not unusual for people to sleep in their cars, sometimes for more than one night. Pulling up and being first at the door doesn't count as being first.

 

[Lucille1963]

Here are two articles written about the etiquette in different areas and some bad stories:
http://www.purevintagechicago.com/2011/03/insanity-that-is-chicago-estate-sale.html
http://www.purevintagechicago.com/2011/11/more-estate-sale-bs.html

 

[rszdtrvl]

I think it's odd that your first post sounded like you were an Estate Sale newbie and now you seem like an Estate Sale expert. So, this thread was really meant as a vent?

We normally go to plain old yard sales. DH is into older stuff though, so we decided to go to estate sales too.

It was meant partially as a vent, but mostly to see if there truly was an unwritten code about vehicles at sales.

We have been salers for years. It is a fun hobby we have and we have found some great treasures. Last weekend I found : pair of shoes for DS to grow into brand new $1, fabric book covers for DS to use for school $.25 each, UNO card game for NY trip $.25, and a few other things.

DH likes older stuff, like yearbooks, that are found at estate sales.

 

[seashoreCM]

A variation on the "best offer over" idea. Have signup sheets under some items where people can bid. Like a "manual eBay".

There would not be an end time cast in stone for each item. At the convenience of the seller or administrator each signup sheet would be taken in no particular order and the highest bidder called over to pay. If only one person signed up then the starting price would be charged. Generally the signup sheets should not be taken up until at least a half hour after the sale start time.

No matter how early or how late you start your sale, people will be trying to get there earlier than each other as opposed to earlier than the start time.

 

[DisneyEater]

A variation on the "best offer over" idea. Have signup sheets under some items where people can bid. Like a "manual eBay".

There would not be an end time cast in stone for each item. At the convenience of the seller or administrator each signup sheet would be taken in no particular order and the highest bidder called over to pay. If only one person signed up then the starting price would be charged. Generally the signup sheets should not be taken up until at least a half hour after the sale start time.

No matter how early or how late you start your sale, people will be trying to get there earlier than each other as opposed to earlier than the start time.

Sounds like a silent auction.

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

Anyone wanna buy a Little Tykes cabin?

Although we are frequent yard salers, I have never been to an Estate Sale (nor would I want to after reading through this thread) but from the things I've read, it seems like a line being formed or take a number type thing would be the most legitimate way to discern who was there first. I mean as far as vehicles go, sure you can keep track of the first 4 or 5 there, but what about after that? If theirs 30 cars worth of people trying to get in somewhere, are you supposed to mentally keep track of who pulled in in a certain order?

 

[englishteacha]

These things sound nuts! I've never been to an estate sale, but I'm a yard saler and have also hosted several yard sales. What's the appeal to an estate sale? Is there a list of what is for sale in the house, or is it like a grab bag...you show up and hope they have what you want??

 

[Lucille1963]

Many people find estate sales through being on the mailing lists of businesses who run them or websites like estatesales.net, which shows pictures. Here's an example of one that I'd like to attend
http://www.estatesales.net/estate-sales/277428.aspx

Compared to the a smattering of items at a garage sale, they tend to be more like a whole house full of items. Sometimes they are a bust, sometimes they're great. I know quite a few people who pay their bills flipping their finds. Its not just a way to spend a weekend morning, its a business.

 

[jmunutt]

These things sound nuts! I've never been to an estate sale, but I'm a yard saler and have also hosted several yard sales. What's the appeal to an estate sale? Is there a list of what is for sale in the house, or is it like a grab bag...you show up and hope they have what you want??

I estate sale with my husband every week and find plenty. I like them much better than yard sales because it's usually a whole house full of things. I look for kitchen items and collectables and my husband likes tools. We have found so many neat things, but some weekends we don't buy a single thing. Furniture is usually a good buy at an estate sale too.

Another fun thing about estate sales is they take place in homes, so you get to tour a lot of homes. Just this past weekend there was a sale in a converted mill from the 1720's. Cool property!

I did find a framed Magic Kingdom map like the ones being reissued by D23 for the 40th annniversary at an estate sale.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

The more I read about this, the more my previously mentioned auction sounds like the way to go. Wondering why they don't do that in all areas. I've never been to a pre-priced "Estate Sale", nor have I ever heard of such a thing. If you're selling everything you own, wouldn't you want to try to do it as efficiently as possible?

 

[Lucille1963]

I've been to estate sales where they do sealed bid auctions. Not like a piece of paper at a fundraiser where everyone sees what you bid and tops you at the last second. You put your high bid in an envelope with your contact information. The highest bid gets it (unless you were a jerk, and then they sell it to someone else... I've seen it happen )