I don’t know about you, but when I go to an estate sale I try really hard to believe that the people that lived in the house have moved on to sunny Florida and they just need to get rid of some of the extra stuff they’ve accumulated over the years.
Can’t wear a mink coat in Florida, now can you?
No use for a lawnmower at the retirement villa.
And no need to keep your 70’s orange Tupperware when you’re going to be enjoying all those early bird specials at Home Town Buffet.
But there is always someone who ruins it for me.
Maybe a neighbor from down the street that tries to strike up a conversation with me by mentioning that Fred died two months ago and he had been waiting for this sale so he could buy Fred’s tool bench.
Maybe it’s the worker at the estate sale who, when I mention what a neat house it is, tells me that it is going to be listed tomorrow, because the kids of the lady who died need to get rid of it fast.
Or the homeowner’s daughter quietly asking the estate sale crew if they have found her mom’s wedding photos yet, because before she died she told her daughter to make sure she kept them safe.
{covering ears} la la la la la {covering ears}
It’s hard to stick my head in the sand, when at every turn, I’m reminded of the fact that I am buying dead people’s stuff.
Not that I don’t like dead people’s stuff, there are some great deals to be had at estate sales and auctions. But there is definitely something weird about traipsing though someone else’s house and snatching up their once cherished items.
Speaking of dead people’s stuff, I found this cool old barn at an estate sale this weekend. I have no idea what I am going to do with it, but it was pretty neat and the whole reason I went totally out of my way that day to attend the sale.
Not sure if it is a kid’s toy or maybe an unfinished bird feeder?
I’d ask the previous owner. But he’s dead. Or so I’ve been told.
I sure hope he’s smiling up there in heaven knowing that I’m enjoying his barn.
Do you go with the stick your head in the sand theory at estate sales? Or is it just another place to find good deals for you (not saying you’re heartless of anything)?
Sally
ha – yes! I remember chatting w/ you about this before, when I did a post on the same thing. It’s a weird feeling, isn’t it?
Carlene @ Organized Clutter
It bothers me sometimes too. The thought of someone’s possessions being rifled through by strangers. But I still go to estate sales because they are the best!
Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME/Doublewide Decor
Oh, I love estate sales. I just don’t like when all the family picture albums are for sale. That hurts my heart.
Vickie @ Ranger 911
Yeah! You found your vintage barn! Don’t feel bad, Pam. I once attended a sale where the sickly homeowner was curtained off in the living room while the sale took place to pay the home health care nurses.
Bad as it was, I did buy a few things to help the poor woman out.
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
Love the barn! Very often around here estate sales are actually for older people who are moving and getting rid of their stuff. The estate sale goodies on my post right now were from a woman moving into senior apartments!
Amy Burzese
Oh, I know. My husband went with me ONE time. He said he didn’t feel right picking over people’s things like vultures. But, Honey, it has to go somewhere. Love the barn.
Ellie VanCaster
I hear you on the dead people’s stuff-it can feel a little creepy. I love the barn though and it looks in great shape.
Have a good week.
TARYTERRE
I think the dead people in question would be tickled their stuff is finding a new home.
Jayne
I don’t mine at all, I feel that i will provide a good home for their stuff. I love that barn by the way 🙂 What really bothers me though are old family photos especially baby pictures that are at Goodwill or a thrift store, why aren’t they with their families!?
Mitzi
I love going to estate sales. I do not ever go through the clothes closets. That is way too creepy.
JunkStuffTreasures
I go to buy, never thinking the items are “dead people’s stuff.” But, inevitably, I find old pictures, a scrapbook, lovely linens, and I wonder why no family members wanted these precious items. Sometimes there is no family and I take on the role of adoptive daughter and give these special items a new home!
Olive
FAB BARN AND YOU KNOW I LOVE ESTATE SALES. I LIKE TO THINK I AM HELPING THAT FAMILY OUT. I see your barn under the tree at Christmas.
Rhonda
I love to go to sales but it is definitely weird seeing EVERYTHING from their life laid out for EVERYONE to see; a complete loss of privacy. I don’t think I would ever knowingly go to a sale of someone that I had known.
Donna Wilkes
Since going through personal family estate sales, I do not mind going through a dead person’s stuff. Our family had rummaged through everything and taken what we wanted. If I were dead looking down upon my items being sold, I would love to see Pam get my beautiful red barn to put in her house with her other very cherished vintage items!
[email protected]
LOL!! I DO have a hard time with estate sales! Once I brought my (then) 4 year old and she kept asking questions like “Where is the lady that lives here?” And “Is it o.k. that people are looking in her closet?”. I did get a cool glass aquarium and she got a little tea set…but yea, kinda sad…
GardenofDaisies
I love the little red barn you found!! It looks like it’s the perfect home for a whole herd of dolly-sized dairy cows.
When I am at sales like that I do think about who might have lived there in the past. I like to think that the previous owner is smiling down at all the people who are buying things. Someday when it’s my turn to go, I hope that other people come along to love the things that I collected. (after my children and grandchildren take what they want, of course.)
suzieQ
Unclaimed family photos can be sad to see. I wish I had more pictures of my ancestors, but there are always reasons, some sad, perhaps not. I also look at lovely linens that were never used, kept for best, too fancy to use for everyday, but then, never enjoyed. I feel sad that someone didn’t enjoy the handiwork, but I understand that old time viewpoint. I once bought a 13×9 pan with many, many cut marks in it and I think fondly of the lady who made years of treats to share. I feel that I have a bond with whomever owned the items, we share similar interests and I am taking over as the new owner of something that is still beautiful or useful.
Jill
We very rarely have estate sales in these parts, I’ve only been to one but I understand what you mean. It is just as bad seeing scarves at a thrift store, with the sew on name tag still attached.
Joanne Noragon
I think it’s like my sister saying someone’s grandma is smiling in heaven because Jan found her quilt and quilted it. Grandmas and grandpas are smiling in heaven because someone wanted their treasures.
Into Vintage
Estate sales used to make me sad but now I realize they’re just an efficient way to get rid of unnecessary stuff but I have to admit, it’s weird and sad to have family members in attendance. And, of course, I wouldn’t want anyone poking through my dresser drawers after I’m gone…
While junking in Texas earlier this year, there was a company called “Dead People’s Stuff” and their motto was “You die, we buy.”
[email protected] Salvaged Treasures
I’m sure he’s smiling down on you and so happy that his barn will be well loved. It bothers me when I go to estate sales and everything, I mean everything, is out there for the world to pick through. Grandma’s undergarments don’t need to be there.
Deb
It used to bother me but since I sell antiques, I had to find a way to deal with the creepy feeling. Now I think it’s comforting to know that someone loved that item enough to keep it for 60 years…or perhaps they were just a hoarder.
[email protected]
OK, you all realized long ago that I’m a little weird so…yeah, it’s a little creepy, but I kinda like it. Great deals aside, I enjoy making up stories about the folks as I plunder through their things. Wonder if they went to Paris, wonder why they held on to that ugly dress…oh, bet she was wearing it when she had an affair…oooooo! You just find out so much about people! I never knew we had a man in town who wrote books about Elvis, until I went to his estate sale. He’s dead, you know? Well, he also left a garage full from top to bottom of Elvis memorabilia…who knew? Love the barn…bird feeder:-)
Marilou Bain
I don’t like going in someone else’s house, if it is an estate sale and it is in the yard then ok, but not wandering through their home, sorry too sad to me:) I don’t need anything “that bad” .
Hugs Marilou
Grammy Goodwill
This is the one thing my dad has told me for years: Burn my stuff so people can’t come through and look at it. Now as time has passed, I think I’ve gotten it accustomed to me donating it to charity.
I agree with everyone about the family pictures. How can people just ditch those? It’s sad.
Lilliedale
I take comfort in the fact that if I died tomorrow someone else (who also loves my stuff) would take it home, and maybe even give it a new life. I’d much rather have someone haggle over the price and take their treasures home, than see it all piled up in a landfill. My favorites are old hand made quilts, especially if they looked like they were really well loved! I like to think about the hands that lovingly and carefully crafted it for someone they loved.
Marigene
Pam, if it bothers you that much, just think of it as a thrift store! The only time it bothered me was the very first estate sale I went to, never again after that.
susie @ persimmon moon cottage
Love your little barn birdfeeder (or whatever cute use you think of for it).
I like to think that the previous owners would be happy that someone else liked their items too, and would be enjoying them for years to come. Albums and photo collections leave me sad and wondering if there wasn’t someone in the family who would have wanted them.
[email protected]
Love your barn that you found. Sometimes it bothers me, especially if I know the person that died. If you didn’t buy the things they would go to the Goodwill and you never know there – I’m sure a lot of there things are from Estate Sales that didn’t sell.
Have a super week.
Mary
[email protected]
How sad…someone at one time DID treasure those things…from a vacation, or someone made it, etc. We will never know the true story behind some of our finds, we can only speculate…and give them a new home. It’s kinda like my antique-y man friend who sold me a ton of Christmas things…like my papier mache collection….because he has no kids and his nephew and his wife thinks his stuff is just junk and they don’t want it. All this man wanted from me was a picture of how I displayed his precious collection at Christmas time and to know that MY kids loved his little Santas…and that they would continue to liv eon during Christmas.
Kim @ Curtain Queen
You are so hilarious! And so right. 🙂 Love your post and your fun sense of humor. I’ll be back. Everyone needs a daily laugh!
AntiqueChase
so funny… it is creepy when I think of it now… I’ll go put my head in the sand… funny thing is, I find myself telling my kids what things are worth so they don’t sell my stuff too cheap when I’m gone…lol
Linda @ A La Carte
I think it’s the clothes and the really personal items set out that bother me the most! The kitchen items, etc just don’t bother me too much! Especially if I try not to think about it 🙂
hugs,
Linda
Kim @ Touch of Nostalgia
It’s never bothered me as I know whatever I buy I will be treasured by me. I’d rather have someone choose one of my treasures than have it end up in a dump.
Kim @ Touch of Nostalgia
Where’s that edit button. 😉 ….that should of been…. “whatever I buy will be treasured by me”
Debbiedoo's
I gotta say Pam…dead people have some good stuff that’s all I know, because I have a lot of it in my house. Hey everything has a story!
pattysplace
Your “Dead People’s Stuff” is hilarious! I even read it to my husband I thought it was so funny.
[email protected]
The little red barn is charming. I’m sure the previous owner is happy about its new home. There are many treasures to be found at estate sales. Thankfully most people at our local sales speak fondly of the dearly departed!
Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart)
Oh my goodness, you are just too funny. I’m sure someone knows you’re enjoying the barn. Thanks for swinging by to check my issues, fingers crossed they are resolved. fondly ~lynne~
WhimsyZ
If you’ve never heard Cheryl Wheeler’s song, Estate Sale, you should track it down and give a listen. Not only will it make you smile, but it will make you realize how lucky others will be when it’s your estate sale – oh, all the treasures!
Shabby chic Sandy
Your posts always make me laugh–even when its about dead people! The little house (barn) is so cute–love it 🙂
Marci
I doesn’t bother me in the least. Of course, I work in a hospital and people die on me regularly so I may be a bit immune. After attending hundreds of estate sales one thing I’ve come to realize, no matter who you are everyone has about the same junk. Oh sure, different furniture, dishes etc, but who cares if someone is looking at your undies, dirty books, or 1980’s dresses, everyone else has em too! It doesn’t bother me that someday people will come and rifle through my crap, what bothers me is that people will know I bought 90% of it from other peoples esatate sales! No joke!
Tazas y Cuentos
Interesting post. I agree with you, sometimes it’s better not to know too many details about that wonderful things we are buying, I prefer just having the fantasy of an interesting past story.
I don’t like buying clothes and photos but love buying everything else.
Besos!
Ah! Lovely old barn.
Jenny
I guess it doesn’t really bother me so much because I’ve been on the selling side more times than I like. I remember how hard it was, all the work & reaching a point where you just don’t care what goes or what stays or how much (or little) you sell things for because you’re so exhausted. Then the relief when it’s all gone & taken care of – you can finally let it go.
So, I try to be very respectful when I shop these sales. I never try to negotiate a lower price (I remember having to leave my sale in tears because two women were trying to niggle my price down to nothing & I all I could think of was how much my mom loved the things they were trying to force me to basically give to them.) If I think the prices are unreasonably high I just leave. Grief is a hard thing, letting go is hard & setting high prices is sometimes part of that. I won’t add to someone’s pain by being disrespectful.
But, I was very happy when people came & loved what they bought, were excited to find a new ‘treasure’ – shared with me what they planned to do with the item.
So shopping these sales can help or hurt someone, it’s all in how you treat people.
Old Red Barn
I love this barn. It matches my blog 🙂 (Old Red Barn Blog). Feel free to share this barn in my link party. Do you mind if I pin this barn to my ‘barn-board?’
Goedele
Eclectically Vintage
I always envision people coming to my estate sale in the future and saying “what a hoarder she was”!
Kelly
Angela @ Cottage Magpie
Oh my gosh, I do exactly the same thing!! I have never said it out loud because I thought I was the only one. Ha! ~Angela~
Anonymous
I laughed & got a bit misty reading through the comments. I love old things & love to treasure them. I wonder about the stories behind items. I do not have time to go to sales but I have so many things from my mom’s gathering when she would take things that others planned to trash. I love the idea of knowing the stories behind loved items, like the pan with the marks. Sweet.
gadawn57
Oh wow… yep, I kind of feel the same way as you and many others that have commented. While I LOVE going to estate sales, it is alway so sad and a bit weird to hear of the ‘passing of so and so’ and all that. Yes, the closets and bathrooms always make me feel abit weird but I have bought some vintage soft leather ladies gloves in wrapper to put in MY vintage glove box and a vintage glass eye wash cup for MY vintage bathroom display