Choosing the right estate sale to attend can be straightforward when there are only a few options that weekend. But when there are multiple sales to choose from, it’s easy to end up at the wrong one and come home empty-handed. Before I dive into how to decide which sales to go to, let me clarify that what I’m about to share comes from my own experience, as well as feedback from some of my customers. It’s by no means the only way to approach estate sales, and following this method doesn’t guarantee great results. However, it might help streamline your decision-making process and make it easier for you to find the sales that are right for you.
1. Set a Distance Limit
Start by setting a distance limit. Whether you’re willing to travel 15 miles, 50 miles, or even 150 miles, having a clear limit will help you focus on sales you can actually attend. Without a limit, you might waste time looking at sales that are just too far to get to.
2. Review Photos and Descriptions
Once you’ve narrowed down your search, review both the photos and descriptions of each sale. Some estate liquidators will provide detailed descriptions of all available items, while others may only share photos or videos. By examining both, you’ll get a better sense of which sales contain the kinds of items you’re interested in. This is the part of your research where you’ll want to spend the most time.
Most estate liquidators will have their sales posted well in advance, typically by Monday or Tuesday of the week. However, some may post their listings late, so it’s worth checking again on Thursday to catch any last-minute updates.
3. Subscribe to Email Notifications
A helpful tip is to subscribe to an estate liquidator’s email notification list. It’s easy to sign up, and you’ll receive information about upcoming sales directly in your inbox. This makes it quick and convenient to review the sales and decide whether to attend. For example, you can subscribe to YTT Estate Sales’ email list here.
4. Be Patient with Estate Liquidators
If you try to contact an estate liquidator before the sale (for instance, to inquire about an item, pricing, or the exact address), don’t be discouraged if they don’t respond immediately. Estate liquidators are often very busy, and they don’t have dedicated customer service teams to field every question. They’ll respond to calls, emails, and texts as soon as they can, but be aware that sometimes they may not have all the information you need right away. That said, it never hurts to reach out—but try not to let slow responses impact your decision-making process.
5. Prioritize Your List of Sales
Once you’ve reviewed your options, prioritize the sales you want to attend. I use a three-tier system:
Must-go sales, where you’re most likely to find valuable items.
Would be nice to go sales, where you might find something interesting if time allows.
Go if there’s time sales, which are worth attending if you’re in the area and have time to spare.
6. Plan an Optimized Route
To make your trip more efficient, plan an optimized route between sales. Use a map to find the best route that lets you stop by multiple sales in one day. With this approach, I’ve been able to visit 6 or even 7 sales in a single day.
In conclusion, this method is not the only way to choose estate sales, but it has helped me and others find success over the years. Estate sales can be a lot of fun, and with the right strategy, you can make the most of your treasure hunt. Happy hunting!