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)?
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
David
I thought about how I would feel about people rifling through my stuff and buying it, and I think I would probably be thrilled that someone actually wants it. I would be more worried about my things getting thrown in the dump and forgotten. If someone else enjoys my junk and finds a use for it that would be great. As for buying stuff from estate sales I try to think of it as being respectful, making sure their cherished belongings continue to be used and loved.