The Best Day to Shop Estate Sales Can Be a Big Gamble (but It Pays Off!)

I fell in love with estate sales when I stumbled upon one in my neighborhood. It blew my mind that there was a crowd of people waiting to go into someone’s home to shop their antique, retro, or vintage belongings, and I ended up leaving with a set of gold drinking glasses and a beautiful mother of pearl picture frame. That was about two years ago, and after dozens of purchases, I’ve learned so much since I’ve started shopping estate sales. Namely: There is a best day to shop an estate sale, especially when you’re on the hunt for a deal. 

First things first, what even is an estate sale? In short, an estate sale is a public sale or auction of a person’s belongings. Estate sales happen for a variety of reasons — whether it’s a family moving or downsizing, or someone has passed away. Estate sales typically happen in a person’s home, and everything from furniture, decor, clothing, jewelry and kitchenware is for sale. I’ve even been to sales where cars, bicycles, plants, and household items like cleaning supplies are up for grabs. They can be a gold mine for vintage clothing and decor, as well as secondhand luxury items like purses and scarves. You never know what you’ll find! 

Estate sales typically last for three days over a weekend: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Since sellers are eager to move product, they will often discount items as the days progress. Friday is full price, Saturday is 25% off, and Sunday is 50% off. This can vary, depending on the estate sale, but since the ultimate goal is to clear a space and sell as much as possible, you can usually count on steeper discounts the longer the sale continues. 

While it’s a good idea to go on the first day of a sale if you’re looking for something specific, you’ll save the most money if you wait and go on a Sunday, the third day of the estate sale. Even though the last day of a sale means items will be picked through, this is the time to score major deals. The homeowners are usually motivated to move any remaining items left, which also means there’s even more room for negotiating as well. 

I scored my most epic estate sale find on the third day: a vintage Louis Vuitton Speedy! I couldn’t believe it was just sitting there, half off and untouched. I was told there was a lot of interest in the bag, and a few people apparently said they would come back for it, but no one did. I was so surprised, and it’s one of my favorite estate sale purchases to date. 

• Arrive early. If it’s a popular sale, there may be a line or a wait to get inside, so I always like to show up as soon as the doors open, or a little earlier. Sometimes there will be a list or a number system for entry, so be sure you go to the front of the line just to be sure you don’t miss a sign-up!
• Check discount signage clearly. There will usually be signs throughout the home that say what the discount of the day is. Don’t be afraid to ask if you need more clarity. Some sales may only have specific items discounted, and it never hurts to double-check. I’ve been to sales on a Sunday where everything but designer items or jewelry are discounted. If you’re looking for a deal and happen to be at the sale on a Friday or Saturday, double-check with an employee to see if the item you’re interested in will be discounted on Sunday. It’s always a gamble to leave a sale without purchasing something you want — but it’s all in the fun of estate sale shopping.
• Bring a tape measure. If you’re shopping for furniture or other large items, be sure to bring a tape measure. You’ll want to be sure it will fit in your space, as well as your car, so have those measurements on hand as well. Many sales will have a tape measure you can borrow, but I always bring my own just in case. All sales are final at estate sales, so you want to be sure you get it right.
• Bring cash. While most sales take a variety of payment options, I like to bring cash. Oftentimes there will be a small fee for using a card, so I like to think that using cash gives me even more of a discount. 

Shopping estate sales is a fun hobby that will get you out of the house, exploring new neighborhoods, and hopefully snagging some one-of-a-kind items for your home. Sunday is the absolute best day to go if you’re looking for a deal. You can find estate sales in your area by going to EstateSales.net and searching for your city or ZIP code. Happy shopping!