Bargain Hunting At Estate Sales

By Freida Michael


You love bargains and unique items and purchasing quality used items and antiques is just for you. Try attending some of the estate sales that the city of San Ramon, CA features. You will not be disappointed in the variety and pricing at these unique venues.

Following some simple and basic rules will give you much more success during your excursion. They will save you money, time and stress and will help you find that perfect item for your home.

The first rule of thumb is to arrive early. Showing up 15 to 30 minutes before it begins is a good practice. If they are not ready, do not annoy the individuals who are putting on the event. Wait patiently, but be one of the first through the door when the event starts on the first day. If you are not there early on, it may be best not to go at all on that day, unless you are one of those individuals who is looking for articles that no one else is.

Another great time to show up is early on the second day of the event. Many times the companies that put on these functions will add more of their items between the first and second day. Many times the good available for sale are mixture of the previous homeowner possessions and items acquired elsewhere. The last hour of the event is also a wonderful time to attend, especially if the items offered are very expensive and do not move fast. The prices will often be dropped dramatically just so they won't have to be picked up and put into storage or taken to the location of another sale.

Dress in comfortable clothing and sensible shoes. You may even want to bring along rubber gloves as some of these items may have been in storage where spiders and other insects abound. Always use caution when handling lawn and garden supplies that may be available for purchase.

You may get a good idea of what exactly is there at the event from an advertisement that is put out. If you have something in mind to purchase, don't waste valuable time perusing other items when you first arrive. Quickly find the item that you are looking for and assess whether or not you want to purchase it. If you don't find it right away, someone else may beat you to the punch.

It is always a good idea to have some type of transport available to you if you plan on buying larger items. Scrambling for a last minute truck to remove your purchase can be a real challenge as you must take your items within a specific time frame which is usually very short. You may even need to rent a truck or trailer and you should have this on standby just in case.

Attending this type of event can be very fruitful and enjoyable. Gather a group of friends or family and make it a pleasant outing. Over time, your home will become a showplace of vintage and unusual items that everyone will comment on. You will have pleasant and comfortable surrounding that you will be able to relax with and enjoy for many years.




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