The Type Of Estate Sale TikTok Warns To Avoid At All Costs
Estate sales are incredibly popular among thrifters with an eye for rare finds. But these sales have a few unspoken rules. To illustrate, if you're a seasoned attendee, you know how important it is to check out and sign up for particular events on EstateSale.org or EstateSales.net before the day of the sale. However, if you're yet to foray into the ambiguous and exciting world of estate sales, TikToker @thrifblackgrl advises you to check out the details carefully and possibly avoid picker sales.
According to her, following this rule will allow you to make the most of an estate sale. She explains that picker sales are rarely organized or tagged, so you'll have to dig through boxes, closets, cabinets, and drawers to find items you might be enticed to take home. But here's the thing: You never know what you'll find inside a box or drawer. It could be a pile of junk or lead to a few rare finds you'd be hard-pressed to ignore. Simply put, this sort of estate sale isn't fit for anyone unwilling to sift through a stranger's items without having any idea what they'll find.
What are picker sales, and should you really avoid it at all costs?
A picker, discovery, or dissolver sale is a type of estate sale wherein the items aren't classified and don't have a price tag on them. Since the items aren't tagged, you can haggle and settle on a price with the team running the sale. This serves two purposes — One: the homeowner can liquidate their assets quickly; Two: thrifters (and resellers) who don't mind digging to find a rare item can negotiate and buy items they want for a steal.
So, should you avoid picker sales at all costs? The answer depends on the type of shopper you are. If you like being able to prepare for an estate sale in advance but don't like getting your hands dirty, or you despise mess, steer clear of discovery sales. But if you appreciate a little mystery with your estate sale shopping spree, it could be a fun experience. If you're undecided and don't belong to either camp, it's a good idea to try one out and go from there.