Estate Sale Shopping Tips

Shopping with The Pros gives you exclusive access to all of our amazing sales and deals! You never know what you may come across, from fine art and exotic vehicles to everyday housewares, kitchenware & more, the Estate Pros have it all! Not to mention, you’ll be helping people and families in your  community as they transition out of their homes. It’s a win, win!

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FIRST TIME TIPS

Exploring houses new or old with the possibility of finding hidden treasures around every corner is a thrill like no other. In a world full of big box retail stores and online shopping, navigating the unique world of estate sales can be tricky. Here’s some advice to help novice estate sale shoppers buy better and enjoy the experience more.

Plan Ahead

Schedule your calendar with the dates and addresses of all the Estate Pros estate sales you don’t want to miss. Sign up for all of our sale notifications today: Estate Pros Newsletter

Browse the Sale Online

All the Estate Pros estate sale listings include pictures of the items for sale. You can often screen in advance for quality goods that you might purchase.

Be an Early Bird

Try to arrive at least thirty minutes before the specified estate sale start time. Your goal is to get in with the first group of shoppers to have the first opportunity at the best selection of items for sale. Estate Pros estate sale locations will provide a sign up sheet an hour in advance of opening to reserve your place in line.

Follow Posted Guidelines

Please be mindful of any requested shopper guidelines including the wearing of shoe covers or removal of shoes to enter, etc.

Be Prepared for Payment and Pick Up

Always inquire about payment terms before making a big purchase. The Estate Pros accept cash, credit and debit. Some locations also accept Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, etc.

Most Estate Pros locations will set aside bulky items like furniture and allow you to return for them on the same day or the following day. Double-check the pick-up policy before making the final payments.

Prioritize Your Needs

The Estate Pros want you to be happy with your purchases! Don’t just buy something to buy it. Have a few items in mind that you can’t pass up. It will help you to focus your search.

Be ready to Search

The perfect item could be hiding where you wouldn’t expect to find it. Be prepared to search display tables and shelving, or in remote corners of the sale for finds that other shoppers may have overlooked.

Be Courteous

Politeness is always appreciated. If another shopper is looking at or handling a piece of merchandise, please keep your distance until they pass on it.

Check Dimensions

Always measure! If you have a specific space to fill, keep the dimensions of that space handy and carry a small measuring tape to confirm that it will fit your space.

Inspect Your Items

All Estate Pros sales are final — no returns or refunds. We kindly ask that you check and/or test all items for condition issues or functionality before purchasing.

Garages, Outdoors, Etc

The Estate Pros are known for their amazing sales which often include items in garages, backyards, barns, etc. Don’t skip these areas!

Avoid Off-limit Areas

The Estate Pros estate sales are usually staged throughout an entire house. Private areas are often blocked or cordoned off. Please respect the privacy and boundaries or our homeowners. We sincerely appreciate it!

Make Offers

Make an offer, you might get lucky! The Estate Pros estate sales often have items that are negotiable in price.

Don’t Skip the Last Day

The last day of the sale is usually “everything-must-go” time. Anything that doesn’t sell will be donated or hauled away, so prices are usually discounted — sometimes as much as 50% off!

Don’t be Overwhelmed by the Crowd

The Estate Pros estate sale crowds vary in size. Take your time and browse through everything. Your chance of finding a deal is as good as any of the other shoppers in attendance.

Bring Helpers

The Estate Pros usually offer porter and/or moving options for large items but you should always consider bringing helpers just in case.

Prepare for the Elements

Estate sale shopping is an endurance sport. Dress for the weather, warm clothes in the winter, light clothing in the summer. Also, consider bringing a water bottle and possibly a snack to combat dietary needs.

Practice Empathy

Our homeowner may be liquidating the estate of a loved one who has just passed away or relocated to senior care. Many of the items in the sale may have deep emotional significance, please try and be sensitive of this fact as you browse. We appreciate your kindness!

Frequently Asked Questions

WHY BUY FROM ESTATE SALES?

They are a great way to find one-of-a-kind vintage, antique and everyday items at amazingly discounted prices.
Plus, they are a heck of a lot of fun!

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HOW CAN I FIND ESTATE SALES?

The best way to stay informed on all of our upcoming estate sales is to sign up for the Estate Pros Newsletter and we will send you weekly updates on all of our most exciting estate sales.

ARE ITEM PRICES NEGOTIABLE?

Most item sale prices are negotiable, you can always make an offer! In addition, the last day of our sales usually offer significant discounts on price.

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Are There Any Guidelines To Shopping with The Estate Pros?

The Estate Pros kindly ask our shoppers to consider the following:

  • All sales are final. No returns, refunds or exchanges. Please make sure to examine your items carefully before making your purchase. We do not guarantee that electronics or any other items are in working condition, please test items before purchasing.
  • Please do not place sold stickers on any items. These stickers will not be honored. You must receive a sold sticker from an Estate Pros staff member once a purchase price has been agreed-upon. At that point, you are committed to purchasing the item.
  • If multiple parties are simultaneously interested in purchasing the same item, the item will be sold to the highest bidder.
  • Buyers are responsible for removing purchased items, please bring help if necessary. We will assist when possible. We have professional movers if needed.
  • If you break or damage an item you are responsible for the cost of the item.
  • On-site item prices will not be disclosed prior to the beginning of the sale. No pre-sales are available unless otherwise noted.
  • All sales are local unless otherwise noted. We do not ship items.
  • Homeowners may elect, at their discretion, to remove any pictured/listed items without notice at any time prior to the beginning of the sale. Please check the sale listing the night before for an updated inventory.
  • Doors will open at the published time, not before. Please do not knock on the door, trespass or loiter on the property. Please respect our homeowner’s privacy.
  • Please obey all no parking & traffic signs. Please do not park in front of mailboxes, driveways or fire hydrants.
  • The Estate Pros are not responsible for any personal and/or property injury that may occur in/on or around the sale property.
  • Shoppers may have to wait in line outside to gain entry at any time during the course of the sale due to the large volume of attendees at our events. Please be aware of weather, etc. and prepare accordingly. We appreciate your patience!
  • We do not honor any written lists or sale numbers as reservations for entry. The Estate Pros will provide a sign-up sheet approximately 1 hour prior to opening the sale. If the sign-up sheet is removed, a first come, first serve line will formed and honored.

What Our Clients are Saying

Estate Love was very helpful and professional. Will use them again.
One of the most amazing companies we've ever worked with. My wife needed somebody to help her with her mother's estate, and these gentlemen and ladies create a protective environment for her in her fragile time; they did everything and went over and above to make it seamlessly stress free. I recommend them with the highest degree of confidence.
Great company, great service, great people, great job! The Estate Pros are best in class! Thanks folks!
The Estate Pros are top notch! We were working on a very limited time schedule and they were able to come in and get everything done quickly, efficiently and professionally. Everything went very smoothly, great work!
My brother in law passed away earlier this year and we were having such a difficult time with everything. Especially dealing with his house, his personal belongings, etc. We approached the concept of an estate sale with great trepidation, not knowing what to expect but Jonathan and the team at the Estate Pros put us at ease and made the process seamless and stress- free. They are very compassionate and professional. Thank you Jonathan!
Jonathan was great to work with in helping to prepare my father's townhome for sale. He recently moved into an assisted living facility, and anything from the townhome that couldn't go with him was meticulously catalogued and valuated, then arranged for pickup and donated to charity. Highly recommend for anyone in southeast Michigan!
It was such a pleasure working with Estate Love. They made everything so easy. It was an emotional experience for me but Estate Love made me feel so comfortable and at ease about the entire thing. Payment was super easy. Same day! I was very impressed and would absolutely recommend them to family and friends!
Incredibly professional. Understands antiques which I found many estate sales people don’t. Answers any questions in a timely manner. Massively patient with customers & his clients alike. He just knows what he is doing. He has excellent relationship with Habitat & the junk man if you need everything gone. It can be an emotional experience for the client & he makes you feel good about the experience. Follow up paperwork is excellent too.
Excellent and professional, Jonathan and his team went above and beyond to protect my home and items and to get the best possible prices for me. I highly recommend Estate Love!!
We had a wonderful experience with Jonathan and his staff. They made us feel secure, comfortable and informed throughout the entire process of holding an estate sale after the death of my parents. From the initial meeting to the final clean up, Estate Love treated us with the upmost respect and professionalism. Our sale was wildly successfully. If you are looking for an estate sale PRO, then Jonathan is your man...go ahead and hire him! Thank you!
Had a great experience with Jonathan and the team at Estatelove! Very polite, caring, truly professional and efficient. We trusted him with our home and possessions and he cared for it as though it was his own. Our sale and experience couldn’t have gone any better! We highly recommend EstateLove and would definitely use them again. You’ll be in good hands, and we can’t stress that enough!
Awesome company. Did everything top notch. I would recommend them to anyone.
Jonathan and his team were amazing. From the start, Jonathan was responsive, professional, and a pleasure to work with. His marketing is the best in the area. Our house was packed with wanting buyers all three days. His team was sympathetic to what we were going through and gave us found precious items that were missed. I highly recommend him and his team if you are shopping around for an estate sale company.
Johnathan was the best! He explained the Estate Sale process very clearly, set up and priced every item, was present on the property for the entire sale, arranged for donation pickup of unsold items, and of course was very courteous and helpful. We were extremely pleased with the results of the sale and would highly recommend him and his team for your Estate Sale!! Julie &Sami Akroush
great work!!
Estate Love is a business with a heart. Jonathan and the Estate Love team are fantastic. This is an interesting industry. It is important to trust the Estate Sale company you choose. Thankfully, out of the many companies I interviewed and researched, the choice was obvious. Jonathan stood out positively from the very start. He was easy to work with and had some great ideas which made a super successful sale. Jonathan is extremely responsive, knowledgeable and professional. He gained my trust and I would highly recommend his company.It is always emotionally difficult to sell your prized possessions and family heirlooms but Jonathan was there for me every step of the way.Knowing he was caring for my home in the same way I would while the sale was in progress allowed for me to breathe easier. Jonathan, Jay and the other Estate Love personnel were polite and very willing to help in all areas of the sale. After the sale was completed, I had several shoppers tell me how wonderfully they were treated during the sale. This is the other very important part of having a successful sale (and one most people don't think about until it's too late). Jonathan has a great following of fans that frequent his sales and it is obvious that number grows with each new estate sale he runs. Honesty, trust and integrity are extremely important qualities which were all demonstrated by Estate Love.
Very good peoples and nice honest service.You can buy with confidence and trust .Sells very nice and appropriate products at good price and in friendly environment
Estate Love is just want you want from an estate sale company. Jonathan made what could be have been a stressful time into something positive and worry-free. Estate Love is professional, provides great follow-through and communication throughout the process, and ultimately got top $$$ for our items. If you are looking for an estate sale company, don’t hesitate to hire Estate Love. They will do a wonderful job for you!
Amazing company. Very social and helpful. Would so recommend for anyone needing help.
Jonathan and the Estate Love team are best in class. From our initial meeting it was apparent I had made the correct choice selecting them to handle our estate sale. Jonathan along with Jay and the other Estate Love personnel were knowledgeable, polite and very willing to help in all areas of the sale. A significant number of the furnishing were sold by Jonathan prior to the start of the sale. The sale was exceptionally well organized and promoted which ultimately resulted in exceeding our sales expectations. Additionally we were provided with a charity that was willing to take unsold pieces and a junk removal company to dispose of the unwanted items. Honesty, trust and integrity are extremely important qualities which were all demonstrated by Estate Love. At the end of the sale we received a spread sheet of the sold items. Base on my personal experience I highly recommend Estate Love to handle your estate sale.
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