estate sale (line) etiquette

drkshdw · 07-13-2018, 11:29 AM

Hypothetical question: you show up early to an estate sale. You're the first person there. But right by the door is a chair with a name on it to reserve that spot. Do you line up after it? Or ignore it? And if more people show up do they go ahead of the named chair or continue to line up behind it? What says the PPOT brain trust?

masraum · 07-13-2018, 11:35 AM

Personally, I'd ignore that crap, but then I'm not an estate sale person.

vash · vash's Garage

i'm okay with being #2. i'm more than likely younger and faster anyways in the corners.

john walker's workshop · 07-13-2018, 12:11 PM

Depends if there's an official list posted by the seller. No list, too bad.

LakeCleElum · 07-13-2018, 12:34 PM

Buy the chair for a buck and put it in your car. Pay when they open.....

Tidybuoy · 07-13-2018, 12:35 PM

Besides crappy haircuts, that's why I don't do Supercuts anymore. Many times I get there only to be told there is a 30min wait for people that called in and reserved a spot.

I would go ahead and get in front of the chair (or buy the chair just to spite them).

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by drkshdw

Hypothetical question: you show up early to an estate sale. You're the first person there. But right by the door is a chair with a name on it to reserve that spot. Do you line up after it? Or ignore it? And if more people show up do they go ahead of the named chair or continue to line up behind it? What says the PPOT brain trust?

I'm not sure I understand. There is an empty chair at the door and line of people behind it waiting to get in. The doors open - and everyone stands there waiting for the empty chair to do something?

masraum · 07-13-2018, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I'm not sure I understand. There is an empty chair at the door and line of people behind it waiting to get in. The doors open - and everyone stands there waiting for the empty chair to do something?

I think the deal is the door is closed and is going to be closed for the next 10 mins. No one is in line (except the chair) and then 1 person walks up to the door to wait for the door to open. Should that person wait behind the empty chair.

dad911 · 07-13-2018, 01:17 PM

Put a price tag on the chair, and move it to the middle of the yard.

Tidybuoy · 07-13-2018, 01:19 PM

The chair is reserving a place in line for someone who is not there. That person is at Starbucks ordering a double short latte, non-fat foam, with an upside down double shot of choc syrup added at the end (drizzled, not poured).

I personally would hold the place if that person brings me a black coffee.

Ayles · 07-13-2018, 01:53 PM

I waited in line one time. Won't ever do it again. Sales as of late have everything priced at retail or higher. Kind of defeats the purpose unless there is something you know is there and you can't live without.

vash · vash's Garage

i've been to two events. i honestly went to get an early peek at the house before it went to market.

the crap..i usually ignore.

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Depends if there's an official list posted by the seller. No list, too bad.

Yup, no sign-in sheet? No rules other than common courtesy. That said, I almost never get in line early. The stuff I buy tends to be completely under the radar and I more often go on the last day of the sale which is usually 50% or 75% off. One of the times I stood in line on Day 1 I was number 63 on the sign-in

But the house was that of a lifelong watchmaker. Even as the 63rd person in the door I scored some nice watch deals.

drkshdw · 07-13-2018, 02:54 PM

Reason I'm asking is the owner has moved to an assisted living facility and his assets are being sold off to pay his expenses.

His house is full of family heirlooms and antiques and the sale is NOT open to the family first. For purposes of the sale, the family is treated no different than the general public so family is finding clever ways to try and get in line first.

One of those ways mentioned was putting a chair by the door days in advance with a name on it to 'reserve' that spot with no actual person there. The person whose name is on it will then show up an hour before the sale (with his wife and son in tow) and is expecting everyone to honor this chair as his (and their) 'reserved spot' in line.

Everyone else in the family says not cool but there are no official rules other than where the entrance is and what time they're opening. No list, no numbers, no order, nothing. Some family members are planning on camping out 24-48 hours ahead of sale time to get in first.

It's turning into one big clusterfuch but this is the way the executor of the estate is choosing to liquidate the estate and this is the one and only chance anyone in the family has to get what they want. And well, almost everything in the house is wanted by multiple people so it's going to be interesting.

Ayles · 07-13-2018, 03:18 PM

They need to do an auction. A lot of estate sale companies hold them.

URY914 · URY914's Garage

Put the note on the ground and have a seat in the chair. When he comes back tell him you can't read.

Baz · Baz's Garage

No offense but I can't stand stuff like this.....having to coordinate my purchasing procedures with the general public....yikes!

I just look for stuff left by someone's curb and toss it in the truck. Done!

masraum · 07-13-2018, 05:26 PM

If people are coming to camp out, but the other person has a sheet of paper doing their camping, screw 'em.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 07-13-2018, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drkshdw

Hypothetical question: you show up early to an estate sale. You're the first person there. But right by the door is a chair with a name on it to reserve that spot. Do you line up after it? Or ignore it? And if more people show up do they go ahead of the named chair or continue to line up behind it? What says the PPOT brain trust?

Chairs are only for saving parking spots in Boston after a big snowstorm. Move them at your peril. Every other chair, meh.

Zeke · 07-13-2018, 05:45 PM

Chairs don't count. Neither does placing 'sold' labels on items as you move through the sale. You carry your items to the cashier or if they are too heavy or large, you get one of the assistants to place the sold sign on the item while you proceed immediately to pay. If an item is said to be sold, I ask if it was really paid for. If not, it's fair game. First money talks. First real person inside is a buyer, not a ghost.