Estate sale scores for 4/11

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polkanut

polkanut

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Joined
Mar 14, 2005
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Location
Wausau, WI
I'm still off work on medical loa, so I thought I would check out the only sale in town today. I scored a MIB avocado Cory hand steamer model ST-1. The original price tag on the box was $12.97, got it for $2.00. Next up, a NIB 3-speed Hamilton Beach Mixette in avocado also. The cash register receipt dated 4/2/77 has a price of $7.25 w/ tax, bought it for $3.00. Finally, snagged a MIB 10-cup Corning Electromatic percolator, Model:E-1210, Cornflower pattern for $10. The instruction guide is dated 3/75. The lady received it from her co-workers when she retired in 1976, according to the daughter running the sale. The hand steamer looks like it was made by West Bend for Cory, because my Mom has a WB, also in avocado, that is the exact same shape and style. There are 2 more sales that start tomorrow, will let you know if I find anything at them too.
 
Just wondering

Is an estate sale the same as an auction sale or is it a big indoor yard sale?
Is it like someone dies and you go to their house and everything is tagged or is it all moved to an arena and auctioned off?
 
rmp...

Sometimes after someone dies, and the relatives (if any) have gotten what they want (if they want anything), an estate sale is held at the residence. I personally am torn over them. While you can find great things, like polkanut did, (great finds, by the way), you also find things that you know were deeply personal to the person. It's kind of sad.
 
Estate sales are just what they sound like, a deceased person's belongings are being sold off. Either via auction, or yard, tag, or whatever sort of sale method, the purpose is the same. The estate can be the entire property with it's contents included, or contents sold off separately from the property.

Normally only rather grand estates have auctions, that is someone believes items are worth the bother and cost of an auction, which after all incurrs costs no matter how much or little is sold. Costs involved depend usually on weather the location requires the person or persons involved to have any sort of license to conduct an auction legally. Such persons will always ask either for a vendor's fee or some sort of payment.

There is another type of "estate" auction, used at lease around here, to refer to large estate type homes, where auctions of high end items such as art,silver, antiques and so forth are being sold off, but not always from a dead person.

Estate sales can be held at either the deceased home, or in the case of many auctions (and some sales), moved to a central location. Often when a person die without a will, and a state or local court appointed trustee is appointed to sell off the estate when no heirs can be found and or come forward, contents of several estates are combined for one large sale. This would depend upon weather or not state and or local laws permit such things. It is rather complicated as all items have to be inventoried and accounted for as they are moved about, and the proceeds accounted for as well. Normally the trustee will simply conduct an estate auction at the property, selling off the contents and or the property as well.

L.
 
I think I'm going to an auction tonight.

Since I live in an older population, alot of people are down sizing.
Usually the stuff ends up at a central location.
I find there are fewer sales actually held at peoples homes.
Maybe because the houses sell quicker and there isn't time.
Tonight's sale is being held at a church. Not sure what is being sold.
I know it isn't church stuff.
Family pictures always bother me when I see them auctioned off.
I know a lot of auctioneers won't bother themselves with everyday furniture and the like.They say there is no money in it anymore.
Unless it is a sale with lots of antiques or collectables, there just isn't any interest in it.
I think around here the auctioneer gets between 20 to 35% of the gross intake.
 
Overall I find estate sales rather intriguing and fun. Yes I actually do think about the dear departed as I rummage through their things. However I am respectful as I rummage.. and when I find something that I'm truly thrilled with, I kinda think the departed wanted me to find it. Sometimes, especially with new-old-stock items - I feel that the item finally found someone to appreciate it and use it as originally intended. A bit sappy perhaps but that's how I feel.
What I describe doesn't always happen... One time I found the deceased's artificial leg in the closet with the shoe and sock still attached. I ran out with it saying "I want THIS! " We all got a good laugh. I'm sure Dead Edna was rolling her eyes.
 
What Will said in his post is the way sales are done here. In the Wausau area we have 3 firms that specialize in estate sales. They come in and sort out the trash from the treasure, price the items, and clerk the sales. All 3 are very selective about the households they represent. None of them use the number system for entrance into the houses, you just make sure you get there early.
 
And estate sales aren't just for the deceased. A lot of older folks are downsizing these days and moving into retirement homes (with all the amenities) and don't have the room or really care to take it all with them.

Tag sales tend to be big in our area. We showed up at 7AM last weekend to get our numbers and we were still 66 and 67. Doors opened at 8 and we weren't in until 8:30. Half the fun can be the "snooping"...look at that electric service! Check out these tiles..What year is that water heater!?
 
Sometimes I find beautiful crocheted afghans and throws often buried in a pile of lines for $5.00 or less. I generally try to rescue them, knowing how much work and love someone put into creating them. If I cannot use them, I give them to someone who can after I get the fun of laundering.
 
I checked out 1 of the 2 sales running through today, and found a mint harvest gold Sunbeam hand-held mixer with Power-Boost. Couldn't find a model no. on it, but very nice nonetheless. The power cord which is detachable, is still wrapped from the factory.
 

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