How To Get The Best Things At State Sales

By Rebecca Wilson


When most people are trying to fill up their homes or offices, they shop at specific places. However, now and then it is advisable to move out of your comfort zone and try something new, like visiting a couple of state sales. Buying things at these events will be a bit similar to thrift store shopping. Therefore, to ensure you get value for your money, remember the following tips.

You need to know where you the sale will be held. If you regularly buy second-hand items, you may know where to start. Some websites will give listings of such events going on in your area and will specify the location, dates and times when this will happen. Additionally, you can talk to some professional manager to see whether they have any planned events.

You should always know who is in charge of the events. If it is managed by professionals, expect the prices of items to be a bit high, but the things on display will all be high quality. Additionally, there will probably be some guards at the site to prevent cases of theft. If the property owner is the one in charge, the goods may not have been wrongly selected for display, but their prices will be easier to negotiate.

People who understand these sales will go in early on the first day. This way, they have the chance to select the best items before they are bought. However, during the first day, it might be difficult to bargain, and therefore, you may have to purchase items at the set price. This price will start to drop as more items are bought off.

Because these events are routinely held at a house, some people will focus on specific rooms ignoring others like the attic or basement. However, remember that in most cases items will be displayed where the owner initially kept them. Therefore, visit all the rooms in the house unless you find a sign prohibiting your entry from specific places. Go in with the assumption that everything on display is for sale.

Remember that the things you are buying have been used and are likely to have dents and scratches. Therefore, inspect everything before you pay for it. Additionally, be careful when going for upholstered furniture and linens due to the possibility of them being invaded by bedbugs or dust mites. Proper inspecting will ensure you know what you are paying for, and will also put you in a better position when bargaining.

It is best to carry cash for these shopping sprees. While some professional organizers might accept credit cards, most will prefer to transact using cash. It will also be easier for you to haggle if you know exactly how much money you have to spend. Furthermore, keep the receipts issued to you after you make a purchase. You will need this to prove that you have paid for whatever you leave with and also to calculate how much money you spent.

When you get to the premises, inquire whether they have employees, who can assist with loading and if they offer transportation services. While this may not be a common practice, some individuals may provide these services for a fee. To be on the safe side, if you are planning to buy heavy things, organize the details of their loading and transportation in advance.




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