I'm pretty new to estate sales, what does it mean when they say "numbers" at such-and-such a time? Is this a privileged group who gets to get in early? How does one get a number? Just curious as I hope to go to a couple of sales this weekend. Oh, and I missed a great one today 'cause I was in class this morning: "54" HD TV, B&O, Marantz, Nad, Boze, Monster ster equip." - it's still going now, but man I have a hard time thinking there would be anything good left. We'll see.

If I'm understanding your question right, I think the numbers they are refering to are item or lot numbers. When they say "Numbers 1 through 20 at 10:00 am, numbers 20 through 40 at 12:00 noon, etc... " they're just doing that as a service to buyers who might only be interested in one item.

Using this example, if that awesome set of speakers you want to bid on is item #26, you would not miss the auction for it if you showed up at noon, since at noon they'll be starting with #20. That way you don't have to get there at 10:00 when they start and wait around for "your" item to "hit the block."

I see, that's quite helpful! I would conjecture, then, that they distribute numbers at 8am (as the sale opens at 9). Interesting.

Numbers usually refer to numbers passed out prior to the sale opening at the sale. Basically, it allows folks to show up, get a number and be that number in line w/o actually standing there. They can go get a coffee, etc and come back like 5 minutes before the sale and still have their place. Depending on how many folks show up, they allow so many in at a time. Sometimes everybody gets in regardless.
I usually won't wait in line, but my wife does these a bit and often gets them. As to your goodies being gone, well that depends on who's out looking for stereo and how it's priced. I'd almost always hit an ad like that one just to see what may be left. Believe it or not, not everybody is out looking for stereo stuff, lots of those folks are hunting for books, tools, furnitures, collectibles of all sorts and holiday decorations.

I have been looking for info on estate sales.
How does one find estate sales in there area?

bookasan, estate sales are listed in the classifieds/for sale section of your newspaper. there are usually the most ads for estate sales on fri/sat and occasional ads throughout the week. i started by going to sales late in their run, to get a feel for what its like, how people like to run things, etc. now, i am getting into it a little more where I am willing to get up and spend some time there at the beginning of the sale, which is why I asked my original question :D

don't get discouraged, keep hunting, and don't forget the occasional garage sale and sometimes even goodwill (although goodwill gets cleaned out of its good stuff usually before the stuff even hits the floor). pawnshops usually aren't the best, but worth the occasional visit.

Originally posted by ajmicek


don't get discouraged, keep hunting, and don't forget the occasional garage sale and sometimes even goodwill (although goodwill gets cleaned out of its good stuff usually before the stuff even hits the floor). pawnshops usually aren't the best, but worth the occasional visit.

Thanks for the info. I will start looking in the paper.
I think I have the Thrift store thing down. I have a circle of stores, about 15 total that i check.
I take a different route everyday and stop in 2 to 4 stores daily, at lunch and on my way home from work (maybe a little obsessed).
I have a huge list of what I have found so far this year, and it is pretty impressive.
I have noticed a huge increase in the competition though.
When the guy at goodwill rolls out a fresh cart, everyone tackles him.
I go to one store where I find the same 4 old ladies every single day, waiting for the swinging doors to open, and then rushing the poor worker as he stocks the shelves.

Maybe its the holidays, or maybe people are just getting more aggressive after this stuff in general. Who knows :)

Some more tips for thrift store shopping are to buy lavish gifts for the employees, compliment them ("What is that perfume you're wearing? You're not wearing any? WOW!"), and wear disguises so other AK forum members who shop there too don't recognize you!

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