Timing and Strategy at Estate Sales

Buying used can be a great way to save money and find  unique items—but it takes a sharp eye to find the real gems. And you need to be savvy to get a good price, as some vintage furniture and clothing can cost more than new items (and you can’t return them!).

In this episode, we talk with Wirecutter senior staff writer Ivy Elrod, who has spent years navigating secondhand marketplaces. Ivy walks us through her best strategies for finding high-quality used furniture, clothing, and other items–from scouring Facebook Marketplace to mastering the art of negotiation. 

Plus, she gives us her best tips for envisioning your space before you start buying, and what to look for in photos to give you clues as to the quality of the items you’re looking for. 

This episode covers: 

• Use visual tools to plan your space: Ivy recommends creating mood boards by creating a collage in Canva or Keynote, or even using the photo cut-out feature on your iPhone, to clip images of furniture you’re interested in and pasting them in pictures of your space to get a sense of how the pieces will look together. 
• Where to shop for the best deals (and how to stay safe): For in-person finds, Ivy recommends local options like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and estate sales. She also recommends always bringing a buddy to come with you.
• How to evaluate quality before you buy: Ivy says that simple photos showing wear and tear are a sign the seller is being honest. Buyers who are upfront about any damage, and who include reference photos to show the extent, are probably more trustworthy to engage with. 
• Negotiate politely on price: “Haggling” is out, “negotiating” is in. Keep your ideal price in mind, be kind and ask for what you want, and be willing to walk away.  Try language like “Would you consider X?” or “My budget is X, can we make that work?”
• Don’t be shy in inspecting the items in person: Ivy recommends asking questions and engaging with the item when you see it IRL. Flip up cushions, view it from every angle, check for signs of bedbugs and critters—make sure you’ve seen everything you need to see before you bring it home.
• Being late can actually get you a deal: At the end of estate sales, Ivy has found that sometimes sellers are more eager to give you a discount to avoid having to transport things back and forth.
• Be ready to act fast: When buying used, timing is arguably the most important factor. People more often than not just want things out of their space. If you’re able to be there immediately, chances are that they’ll want to sell to you. 

Additional Reading: 

• How Our Decor Experts Find Worth-It Furniture on a Budget
• 9 Things You Probably Shouldn’t Buy Secondhand
• How Our Entertaining Experts Set a Full Table for $250
• I Vowed to Buy (Almost) Nothing New for My Baby. Here’s How I Did It.
• The Perks and Perils of Buying Vintage Audio Gear

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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast