5 Things Nobody Should Buy or Sell at Any Estate Sale
Estate sales are a win for everyone — they’re an easy way for sellers to get rid of unwanted items in bulk and a great way for a collector, art enthusiast, interior designer, or other buyer to discover rare and affordable treasures. However, that doesn’t mean that everything is fair game at an estate sale. Let’s take a look at what not to buy at an estate sale as a buyer and what sellers should keep for themselves or throw away entirely.
Used Toiletries and Personal Care Items
At an estate sale, toiletries like used lotions or half-empty perfume bottles might seem like a good deal at first, but they often harbor unseen risks. The previous owner’s hygiene products may contain bacteria, especially if they have been improperly stored.
Unlike unopened items, these lack the guaranteed freshness or effectiveness that buyers expect when making such purchases. Plus, they may contain ingredients that can give you an allergic reaction, so you’re better off buying something from the store that you know is safe.
Opened Food and Spices
Among the things you should never sell or buy at an estate sale are food and spices. Unlike vintage art or furniture, opened food cannot be safely “refurbished” in any conceivable way.
Opened cans, bottles, and packages of food tend to lose their flavor after being opened for a long time and, more importantly, may even pose health risks if they have passed their expiration dates. Buyers trying to save money by purchasing them may unknowingly compromise their health and get stuck with products that wouldn’t have been sold at a grocery store in the first place.
Mattresses
Mattresses are common at many estate sales, but there’s a possibility of them coming with hidden risks, like bed bugs and allergens embedded in the fabric. Also, even if the exterior looks clean and pristine, the interior layers may conceal moisture, wear, or stains from the previous owner.
Unlike high chairs or other kinds of furniture, mattresses cannot be sanitized in quite the same way. The same usually applies to upholstered furniture, so be wary of selling or buying it, too. Besides, an estate is best known for its antique furniture or vintage deals — not for mattresses that could end up costing more in health and cleaning expenses than they are worth.
Private and Personal Documentation
It should go without saying, but items containing private information, like personal documents, should never be sold at an estate or garage sale. Documents related to financial accounts, property, or medical records may still hold value to the previous owner. Not to mention, they could also expose buyers to liability.
During estate sales, some choose to sell boxes of mixed goods that might contain such private papers. If you’re planning on holding an estate sale, then be sure to carefully sift and securely dispose of these documents, as they’re not items that any estate sale company or auction should encourage buyers to purchase.
Cracked and Broken Glassware
Although estate sales can offer great deals on vintage pieces, damaged glassware is not worth the cost. Such items may no longer hold their original value, especially if intended for practical use.
Even interior designers or collectors who buy at an estate for decorative purposes avoid glassware with visible wear or flaws. In addition, damaged glass presents safety hazards and wastes both money and space in your house.
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