Not all estate sales are perfect and when I went to meet with my client for my recent estate sale in Palo Alto I was really worried because the home was located in a large condo complex on the third floor. I knew we would need to market to the hundreds of people that lived in the complex and create lots of signage. I printed off color fliers and we put them in all of the mailboxes in the complex. In addition to my large signs I put small signs and balloons to guide all of the buyers who read about the sale online.
All of the marketing paid off because we ended up with a really good turnout for the sale. People arrived early so we opened around 8:45 and had a steady stream all day long. Chris and I took turns running the cash box and helping people bring their items down to their cars. Chris also delivered a few pieces in the afternoon which was a big help.
I usually feature the items that I have sold recently in a post called “It Pays to be Organized” but this time around I thought it would be fun for you to see how much all of the items brought it from just this sale. The kitchen items, crystal, china, clothing, Christmas decoration, and linens sold for small prices but all of those dollars really add up.
Ethan Allen Pull Out Twin Loveseat $350
Ethan Allen Leather Recliner, $325
Artwork sold for $15 per piece…
Brass Lamp $45, Round Table, $20
Ethan Allen Buffet, $175, Tiered Dessert Stand $15,
Wine Glasses $10 per set, Large Crystal Items $10-$20 per piece…
Iron Bistro Set, $40 (I had Chris deliver it to the buyer and take a lunch break)
Glass dishes, $20 for the set…
Noritake 12 Piece Place Setting, $50 for the WHOLE SET! Bookcase $25, Books 50 cents…
Lamp $20, Teacups $10 per set, Teapot with mini cups $20,
Small Waterford pieces $5 per item, the China Cabinet didn’t sell.
Pottery Barn Queen Bed with Mattress and Bedding $500, Large Nightstand $75,
Small Nightstand $60, Lamp on the Left $45, Lamp on the Right $15.
My estate sales always bring a variety of people and personalities, some good and some bad. I am started to have a lot of repeat customers which is fun, it makes me feel like I have my own little store, just in a different location every weekend. This little pooch was probably my favorite customer of the weekend, his owner walked him all the way up the stairs so she could buy a wind chime.
We were scheduled to be open from 9am-4pm but we ended up closing around 5:30pm. We loaded up the truck with my tables and estate sale supplies and took down the signs. I was so STARVING so I talked Chris into going to In-n-Out Burger for dinner. If you are wondering who ate the third cheeseburger that would be me. Yep, and I washed it down with a chocolate shake.
We came home and unloaded my signs and tables and them I counted all of the sales. We were able to sell over $3,500 which was great and far over my estimate for this little sale. The few remaining items that didn’t sell will be donated to my client’s favorite charity.
Yesterday I treated Chris to brunch at
Calafia for all his hard work at the sale. Check out his chicken and waffles, there was bacon in the batter…
On the way home we stopped at a few Sunday open houses just to be nosy. The prices out here still amaze me. This little 3 bedroom is on the market for 3 million bucks, insane!
The house next door was also for sale for 3 million, it had a better layout than the first house and the finishes were more my taste. I would like to think that we could afford to buy a house someday but I doubt that will happen, especially when Facebook goes public next month and hundreds of people in my area will be become millionaires. For now we are lucky to live in the nice rental that we do.
Well, that was my weekend. Hopefully more estate sales come by way this summer because I just love organizing and running them. Have a great Monday!
1 comment :
Everything looks so nice and organized it's no wonder you sold almost everything.