Networking: How to Make a First Impression

Some days are destined to be adventures ~ 

Remember I promised a more humorous tale?

The notice was for a sale featuring military memorabilia, the pictures showed hundreds of items and we had determined to be there before it opened on the first day. Yeah, we missed that. But we were there before opening on the second day, and waited in the car, but then we noticed that people were already going in and out with purchases. 

Not off to the best start...

While searching through rooms for possible finds overlooked by the previous day’s buyers, I heard the Middle One call my name, “I need you over here” she said. “You’ve got to see this” she said.  Uh-huh. There’s a door, marked ‘Keep Closed at All Times’,  ‘Adults Only’, and ‘XXX”.  Ummmmm…. OK.  “We need to check this out for Dad” she said.

Now, let me explain... 

The Major has his own Etsy shop, ( VintageMensMagazines), where one can purchase vintage men’s magazines in one's husband’s (or boyfriend’s, or son’s or whatever’s), birth year and month. This is a real thing. Trust me, I checked it out. A common set for people to collect includes the top magazines from their birth month and year. You know; Time, Newsweek, Ladies Home Journal, National Geographic, Redbook, Playboy etc. The Major stocks mostly 'mens magazines' - vintage only.  

Got it?

Anyway, Back to the sale...

The two of us spend the next 30 minutes closeted in the small, though very clean, bathroom, surrounded by dozens of stacks of ‘vintage men’s magazines’, searching for the earliest and in best condition. Imagine me repeating ‘I can’t believe we are doing this” while she is the phone with the Major confirming what he needs – for the shop.  We did peek inside the shower, only to find a small pile of VHS tape that we chose NOT to explore. We are ladies and do have some limits. Did I mention the A/C was off in the house?And it was stuffy, and that room was small? Ugh. After settling on about 25 magazines, we exited the claustrophobic little room and found ourselves face to face with a total stranger. He looked at us, looked at the closed door with its signs, looked at us, saw what we had in our hands … and burst out laughing.  We smiled, held our heads high, headed to check out then loaded our purchase into a box with a lid and headed for the next sale.

Imagine our surprise when we hear, while standing in the sewing room of the next home, “Hey you were at the last sale! You’re the girls who bought the Playboys, what are you going to do with them?”. Good heavens. Oh my word!  Did I mention he had a loud voice that carried and that every little old lady in the house stopped, turned and stared?  I stopped stock still, blushed furiously, and wished for a way to disappear into the wall. But not the Middle One!

Now, let me brag on the Middle One. She did not miss a beat. She stepped up, shook his hand and proceeded to make our very first networking contact. She laughed and explained why we bought them and he seemed impressed. She told him we were new, just starting, he provided some words of encouragement and some quick advice.  They exchanged information, agreed to keep an eye out for each other and she passed his info along to the Major for further networking.  Wow! So impressed with this young lady!

So, Saturday’s adventure taught us several lessons: 

1. Double check your info as to date and time

2. Don’t be afraid to purchase what they’re selling, head held high

3. Networking is essential & you never know what will help someone remember you
4. You should always have at least 10 business cards on your person

 5. Working with another shop owner doubles your chances of finding the perfect treasures

Who knows what we will learn next time!

So We Are Going To Resell Dead People's Stuff?

The top four reasons for holding an estate sale are; downsizing, debt, divorce and death. While all four can be sad occasions, we have found our hearts especially touched when the estate sale is due to death.

Now, let’s not be maudlin, we are practical women who understand the need to liquidate assets, cover debt and distribute to heirs.  But, we are also Southern women raised with a sense of grace and a reverence for those who have passed from this world. Seriously, when we hear of the passing of a friend or relative, we are seized by an overwhelming urge to throw together a casserole, bake a dessert and head out for a visit. Also….the Middle One has had a thing about ‘dead people’s stuff’ since she was small.  (She would refuse to sit in antique chairs, or sleep in antique beds)

The sales that touch us most are the homes of elderly couples. Entering the front door is like a Sunday afternoon visit to Great Aunt Ruby’s house.  Each room furnished with outdated but impeccable furniture, lovingly maintained, treasures carefully displayed. The kitchens are often small and crowded with fragile glassware. The dining room displays the requisite table (now covered in her best china and sparkling crystal – all for sale) and 6 chairs, the crowded sideboard and empty china cabinet.  The bedroom closets are the hiding place of vintage purses or hats. The dressers divulge a few delicate lady’s scarves and pairs of dainty gloves, a dozen laundered and ironed men’s handkerchiefs and several pairs of classic cufflinks.  I’ll comment to the Middle One “look how well she kept her china closet”, she will comment to me about how “he must have loved fishing”, or one of us will notice his carefully folded flag and share a moment of silence.

Then there are the small items that give you an insight into the life and relationship of the home’s previous occupants. Yesterday we walked into a guest bedroom and found, sitting on the bed a candy tin.  The Keepsake Assortment, Russell Stovers Candies… such a classic.  Inside a small piece of paper reading “Valentine’s Day 1998, From: Lloyd” was taped.

 Mutual Soul Deep Sigh

In the next room the Middle One discovered a small book, a Mass book she was told. The inside cover bore the inscription “Remember me in your prayers, dear, Yours Always, Viola – 2/14/57”

Another Mutual Soul Deep Sigh

A friendly conversation with the estate sale attendants revealed that this couple was in their 90's. Congratulations Lloyd and Viola, clearly you had many many years together!

Now, we really enjoy attending these sales and searching out the treasures we stock in our shop. We love finding these once beloved items and (you can always tell by how/where something was kept how much the meant) and passing them on to new owners who will enjoy them.  

Saturday we watched this very young man cautiously examine a dining room table and chairs, he asked an attendant about the price, we butted in to be sure he knew there were two leaves for the table leaning against the wall, (we’re nice like that), and then he said he would buy it and pointed to a very young woman, his wife, standing in the line to pay. Together another sigh and the Middle One leaned closer and acknowledged that it was ‘the perfect dining table for a young couple’.

Yes, yes, we can be quite sentimental. But trust me, we have some truly funny moments, some astounding moments, and some moments that just make us shake our head and wonder at the audacity of the public. We’ll share more on those events another time. For now, don’t judge, and pass the Kleenex….

The Five Things Every Estate Sale Diva Needs

Heading out for your first estate sale adventure? What to bring, what to bring... Here's a short list of the essentials we wish someone had told us to bring!

1.    A plan. Yes, you need a plan. While stopping by the sale you just happen to pass while driving is always to be encouraged, for regular outings its best to plan ahead.  Register with a local estate sale organizer. This is easy, it usually involves giving your email address, and in the classier establishments – a yellow legal pad with a rather grubby pen for jotting down your info. Now that you’re registered - scan the site, most will not only list the sale, but the address, a quick description, and a few photos of crowded tables full of possible treasures.  We use the photos to choose our sales and narrow in on the treasures we are most interested in. This is where zooming in can be your friend, 'the Middle One' is great at finding the one item with a visible price tag and using it to gauge the reality of the price structure.

2.    A Bag.  Bring your own bag. From time to time you will run across a sale that does not allow it, but in general most will.  Your arms will fill up with items quickly and you need a way to carry it all. Some sales have staff that will gladly ‘take your items to the front and create a ticket’. Sounds lovely doesn’t it? While a nice gesture, it makes it harder to bargain. Feel free to make it a cute bag, after all, you have an image to maintain

3.    Cash, checkbook, credit card. Yes. All three. Some sales do not accept plastic, so you will need an alternative. Cash is great, but do you really want to wander around an unfamiliar neighborhood with a wad of cash in your purse or pocket? On that note, I’ve found that carrying a purse can just be a hardship.  Find a small credit card case that will fit in the front pocket of your stylishly cute jeans. Put a check, your credit card, your ID and your cash in it and shove it down to the bottom of your pocket for safety!

4.    Lets talk transport.  It is expected that you take items with you upon purchase…can you really fit that darling dining table and all four chairs in your Chrysler 200?? We take the Jeep. It has a fair amount of room, I keep a mover’s blanket in the back for cushioning. Its not a bad idea to leave a couple of empty boxes in your vehicle also. This is where that planning in step one can pay off. 

5.    Wet wipes and hand sanitizer…by the case. Seriously, trust me on this. The reality is that most of the items at an estate sale have been stored for quite awhile, sometimes decades. Many of the houses are dusty and a wee bit grimy. You will want to clean at least your hands when you get to the car. And while we are on the subject – dress accordingly. I know those peep-toe, sling-back, heels look adorable with your skinny jeans and Gap top, but you will regret this fashion decision. It wont be cute when you trip on the small tear in the worn carpet and fall against a card table laden with fragile glass collectables. This is the day for your older jeans, tennis shoes or Doc Martens and comfortable shirt. By no means am I saying go as a slob, but be practical and well put together!

Now that this is out there, what do you suggest? We'd love to hear the items you found essential after your first adventure!