On Friday I had to take the minivan for a checkup on the other side of town, so I searched Craigslist for sales in that area. And I was ecstatic when I found an estate sale that started on Friday less than a mile from the van dealership. Until I got there.
I drive up to this "estate sale" and there are no signs in the yard, no little notice by the front door welcoming me to the sale, no other cars? WTH?
The garage door was open, so I cautiously approached the garage. Yep, the garage was full of stuff.
Me: "Hello, anyone there?"
A little dog starts barking which is a bad sign, since you never see pets at an estate sale.
Lady comes to the door.
Estate Sale Lady: "Yes, I'm here. Just go ahead and look over things and I will be out in a second."
Out? What? OK, I could go on with our conversation for quite a while here, but long story shortened - turns out the lady was having a garage sale, not an estate sale.
People, an estate sale is a sale conducted by a professional company when someone DIES or is moving to a retirement home in order to get rid of most of their belongings. Not when you want to attract people to your little itty bitty garage sale!
So I bought nothing there, but did find a few things at a garage sale down the street. You know, where the people actually knew they were having a garage sale.
A wooden step ladder I am going to use in my Fall decor.
One of those metal trays from the 50's or 60's.
A silverplated platter. And chafing holder which I will use to hold some sort of spherical item.
So anyhow, does Estate Sale mean Estate Sale in your part of the country? Or is it just me that gets irked when people use the term liberally?
Tammy at Tammy Loves Dishes
I totally would have picked up the same items you bought. Great finds!
I agree with you about estate sale vs. garage sale. I think people do want to make their sale sound more upscale so they'll call it an estate sale. I rarely have any luck at the "estate" sales around my area.
Mitzi
I totally understand about the estate sale/garage sale thing. It happens here too, and really makes me mad. And do you find that garage sales are getting more grungy too?
We drive by more sales than we stop at these days. Junk,junk, junk.
Kim K.
I can't wait to see what you do with your step-stool and fall decor. Glad the day wasn't a total bust.
La
I never see estate sales up here. We do have estate auctions, however.
Better luck next time!
Marigene
I have been those kind of "estate" sales, too...and yes, it bugged the hell out of me!
AntiqueChase
Oh I hear you!!! Everybody and their sister now calls their junk and estate sale!!
Happier Than a Pig in Mud
Lovin' your new silver goodies Pam! Happy Labor Day:@)
andrea
Sounds like she just liked the fancy name of it. But I love your sparkly finds! Are you painting your ladder?? andrea @ townandprairie
Into Vintage
I'm seeing a lot of 'living estate sales' advertised as well for people who are downsizing but very much alive...so still a garage sale in my eyes. 🙂
Anita
That is horrible Pam!! But at least you got some really nice things down the street!! Love the tray especially. I would love to find one like that. Thanks for stopping by, and I apologize for taking so long to get back to you:-)
Ceekay- Thinkin of Home
People do use estate sale here for a garage sale...especially if there is anything that belonged to Grandma!!
LV
A lot of people do advertise sales as estate, but they are not. People tend to go to an estate sale as opposed to a garages. I went to one, I know it was not from their estate. Looked like things they bought from the dollar store or a business that might have closed. They are not supposed to do that, but guess they have not been caught.
Debbie
LOL....I'm glad you found another sale, and bought some cute items...especially that little ladder.
Pamela
Well back home an Estate sale is just what you said not a garage sale! Good thing you found a better one and got some great stuff! I love those ladders and used to have one!
Betsy
You sure found some great stuff at the "garage sale." People misuse the term "estate sale" out here too. I get really frustrated when their sales are full of baby items and toys:(
A Rosy Note
An estate sale means the same thing here. Did you give her the newsflash that she was having a GARAGE sale? At least you found a few things down the street 🙂