Post #479761 by TikiG on Thu, Aug 27, 2009 10:45 AM

Get there early and stand in line, folks!

I used to frequent estate sales in Riverside and at times there may be 100+ people waiting on the sidewalk at 6:00am! I've witnessed fist fights at some of 'em..what a scene. A couple of times the cops would show up because the property owners just wouldn't let everyone in at once. You get the idea..one hundred buyers..two buyers in at a time every fifteen minutes or so. Yelling. Screaming. Anxious energy in the air due to sheer anticipation of what may lie ahead just beyond those closed doors.

I'd usually have to battle with people with intentions of eBay sales, and since they are general collectible seekers with really no set wants - they would go around and pick things up so they had them in their possession - only to sort thru the goodies at checkout and put things back because they had no intention to buy everything anyway. I'm sure all of us have these kinds of experiences to share.

But you know, the cliche of "the early bird catches the worm" rings true. You just never know what surfaces at these types of sales beyond what's posted in the paper.

Good Luck and happy hunting. Please share the experience with us at TC post-sale.