Estate Sale

moggymatt · Post by **moggymatt** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 3:41 pm

Went to an estate sale this morning because the words Shopslith and woodworking tools caught my attention. Got there right as the doors opened. Im ashamed to say it was like a feeding frenzy at a shark tank after a month of no food. I saw one guy nearly bump and rush past another guy just to get a couple of beat up extention cords. I really hope the family was away as I would not want a crowed like that swarming over my possessions once I kick off. I couldn't take it after a couple of minutes and left before looking at much. What's worse, most of the folks there were seniors. I guess I expected better out of my elders.

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 3:52 pm

moggymatt wrote:Went to an estate sale this morning because the words Shopslith and woodworking tools caught my attention. Got there right as the doors opened. Im ashamed to say it was like a feeding frenzy at a shark tank after a month of no food. I saw one guy nearly bump and rush past another guy just to get a couple of beat up extention cords. I really hope the family was away as I would not want a crowed like that swarming over my possessions once I kick off. I couldn't take it after a couple of minutes and left before looking at much. What's worse, most of the folks there were seniors. I guess I expected better out of my elders.

Par for the course at garage sales and especially estate sales...I think folks figure more likely to be good deals on good stuff at estate sales. I have trouble dealing with the feeding frenzy mentality as well. Often, at least around us, estate sales are run by a 3rd party who does them for a living...family is hopefully wise enough to pick out what they want beforehand and then stay away. These 3rd party types are pretty good at knowing what stuff is worth, so you tend to not see that many great deals when I go to them. So, was there any Shopsmith stuff or did you not stick around long enough to find out? I usually find that a Shopsmith at such a sale have the optomisitic/dellusional price tag on them, especially with the 3rd Party running the sale, and then after the sale is over and it's still sitting there, you see it on Craig's List for a more realistic price.

moggymatt · Post by **moggymatt** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 5:00 pm

There was a bare bones mid 50's greenie with most of the paint flecked off. Didn't try and run it but it looked like it hadent benn used in forever. Typical box of parts was under it but not a lot in it. No SPT's. The shop had other tools the owner obviously used more often. Price on it was way too high. I might go back Saturday towards closing. If its there I may make an offer and see what happens.

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 5:05 pm

moggymatt wrote:There was a bare bones mid 50's greenie with most of the paint flecked off. Didn't try and run it but it looked like it hadent benn used in forever. Typical box of parts was under it but not a lot in it. No SPT's. The shop had other tools the owner obviously used more often. Price on it was way too high. I might go back Saturday towards closing. If its there I may make an offer and see what happens.

I had a similar situation last year…early 80's 500 at a yard sale and they wanted $1500 for it…nothing other than the 500, not even the box of goodies. Two days later it was on CraigsList and I got it for $50 (their "get it out of here" price…I didn't haggle them down).

rcplaneguy · Post by **rcplaneguy** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 10:38 pm

Around here when you announce an estate sale you get a few guys calling to come a few days early. They are smart, often reseller dealer types. Avoid the crowds, find and buy the good stuff early.