Estate Sale Etiquette: Dos and Donts

Estate sales open a private home to the public, and that intimacy comes with unwritten rules. Regulars who follow estate-sale etiquette get treated well, snag the best holds, and are welcomed back. Newcomers who barge in can sour the whole morning. A little courtesy goes a long way in this close-knit corner of the vintage world.

The Dos

Good manners at an estate sale are mostly common sense applied with care.

• Sign the numbered list and respect the order of entry it sets.
• Handle items gently and put back anything you decide against.
• Ask staff before opening cabinets, drawers, or closed doors.

The Donts

A few behaviors will mark you as a problem shopper fast.

• Do not hide items around the house to claim later, since holds are rarely allowed.
• Do not haggle aggressively on the first morning when prices are firm.
• Do not block doorways or crowd other shoppers in tight rooms.

Respect the Home and the Staff

Remember that the home often belonged to someone whose family is letting it go, so keep comments kind. Treat the estate-sale company staff as the gatekeepers they are; a friendly, patient shopper gets better answers and earlier word of new sales. Pay promptly at the checkout table and carry out your purchases carefully. Shop with this respect and estate sales reward you with first looks, fair treatment, and a reputation that opens doors all over the local circuit.