Estate sale question

XpipedreamR · November 8, 2003 1:34AM

I've noticed that many seem to chuckle at the description of an auction as an "Estate Sale." What does this mean, and why is it usually cheesy?

coppercoins · November 8, 2003 1:40AM

It's because some people want to give their auctions the appearance of being an unsearched estate find like the old days when people used to be able to go to some dead person's sale and find their huge collection for sale for a few bucks. People have become considerably wiser over the years and that sort of thing doesn't happen much at all (if ever) but the sellers on eBay don't seem to know that.

Basically, it's a cheasy method of advertising junk as a treasure to be found so they can milk your last buck out of you, and far too many people think they are the first to come up with such a scheme.

MrLee · November 8, 2003 1:44AM

SO many auctions say ESTATE SALE but so few probably are. When many people hear/see estate sale, they are going to think, "Deal" or "Someone Doesn't Know what They Have", but what it really means is "This is the Junk the Dealers Didn't Want."

atarian · November 8, 2003 1:45AM

"estate sale" in an auction rarely means an estate sale. i know there are some people who do list items liek that and are legit. like th e1885 nickel im geting. its a estate sale that didnt sell. they were honest in the grading noone wanted it so i emailed them and got it at a reduced price. but i think many big time people with high ratings do it to draw you in to look. my dad is one that when he sees estate he has to look. but also i think peopl with high rating (1500+) do it to see if they can get a higher price cause they can get a pity bid. should it impact how you look at an auction no. like so many say buy it for the coin not the story they tell. cause how many times they are lieing.

i hate sounding like im degrading the estate line on an auction but its as played out as "unsearched wheats" "L@@K" "MUST SEE" or "WOW" . "estate sale" to some extent is just to get you to go their auction to look at it with a better shot you might bid. cuase thats what it is the one with teh right line and location location location will get the most. ( yes ive seen them post ebay auctions of a coin in teh wrong section)

kranky · November 8, 2003 2:07AM

It also gives sellers an excuse to say "All sales are final".

NoGvmnt · November 8, 2003 2:32AM

"It's because some people want to give their auctions the appearance of being an unsearched estate find like the old days when people used to be able to go to some dead person's sale and find their huge collection for sale for a few bucks. People have become considerably wiser over the years and that sort of thing doesn't happen much at all (if ever) but the sellers on eBay don't seem to know that."

Au contraire, I've gotten some unbelieveable deals at Estate Auctions. You have a much better chance of "hitting it big" if you go to Estate Auctions way out in the boonies though. Trust me.

I attended an Estate Auction 8-years ago which were the posessions of two sisters that passed away within a few months of each other. They had never been married and lived together their entire lives. They were sellers at rural flea markets from the 1930s through the 1980s and they collected every U.S. Silver coin that ever crossed their table. They also walked the flea markets and collected an amazing amount of marbles (some as huge as baseballs) and jewelery. When they passed away the state auctioned off the ENTIRE HOUSE FULL of posessions and the auction was held in 3 auctions running concurrently in three seperate banquet halls in the Holiday Inn.

Another Auction that I attended 2-years ago was basically the same, an old police dispatcher had passed away and when the state entered his house they found it completely filled (attic to basement) with huge safes filled with old coins, firearms, lionel train sets, jewelery, antiques and very old boy scout and military uniforms. Again, there were three auction tents running concurrently on this mans property on the day of the auction with unbelieveable buys had by all.

Jim

291fifth · November 8, 2003 3:19AM

It is often used as a cover when returns are not allowed.

merz2 · November 8, 2003 4:17AM

I would have to say all of the above.There are very few real "Estate Auctions".

nickel · November 8, 2003 6:26AM

another reason for estate sale ( although many sellers dont realize )
is that many buyers seem to think that a coin from an estate is somehow worth more because it's been 'hidden' for 105 years . So , do you want an 1898 indian head cent in VG for $25 , or my 1898 in XF for about $10 . ?

ps. hopefully you will choose my coins from my future estate at some big show i am planning on doing next year or two

ksteelheader · November 8, 2003 6:59AM

Estate sale = Get out the Kentucky jelly...............Ken

Estate sale question

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