Every bargain hunter knows the sinking feeling of walking away from something wonderful and wishing you had grabbed it. Estate sale shopper @savvimac says she does this every single time. She spotted a fur coat the day before, left it hanging, and wondered whether it would still be there. So she did what many of us wish we had the nerve to do: she went back on the last day to find out.
The creator opens with a bit of a confession. She does not know how she has not learned her lesson by now, but she saw a fur coat yesterday, left it, and does this every time. Then she says the words that every thrifter loves to hear: let us go see if it is still there.
@savvimac
A Line at the Door on the Last Day
Her first hurdle was the line. As she walks up, she comments that she should have come earlier. The last day of an estate sale can be busy, especially when word gets around that prices have dropped. According to her caption, she forgot to mention that it was the last day of the sale, which meant everything was seventy five percent off.
It is go time, she says, and she heads inside. She finds the coat, and the moment she gets her hands on it, she says she has it. A shopper nearby tells her the jacket looks adorable on her, and she is thrilled. She explains that she saw it the day before and left without it, and says that if it is meant to be, it is meant to be. And it was meant to be.
A Few Imperfections and a Plan
The coat is not perfect. She notices a little bit of what looks like color bleeding, and she is not sure how she feels about it at first, but she decides it is cute. She says she might even crop it, possibly cutting it down to a shorter length. That is a reminder that thrifted pieces do not have to be worn exactly the way they were found. A small change from a skilled tailor or furrier can turn a long coat into a modern jacket.
What Else Was Waiting
She keeps looking around. She finds a dark brown Claiborne purse, but decides to leave it behind because she does not need any more purses. Another item she left on her earlier visit, a large book about Picasso, was still there too. She describes it as a little messy but kind of lovable, and she is happy to see it.
After going through the whole house, she heads to the register. She figures she will spend about forty dollars in total. In the end, she says, she cannot believe the coat was still there at all.
The Last Day Strategy, and Its Risk
Her story shows both the reward and the risk of waiting. Many estate sales lower their prices as the weekend goes on. The discounts vary from sale to sale, and some sales cut prices in steps, with half off on Saturday and seventy five percent off on Sunday. The risk, of course, is that the item you want could be gone. In her case it was not, and she saved a lot of money.
It also helps to carry a little cash and keep your expectations flexible. If the piece you came back for has already sold, treat it as part of the hobby, and use the trip to look at the rooms you skipped the first time. Plenty of shoppers find their best item on the second visit.
Here are some ideas for deciding when to buy and when to wait:
- Buy right away if you truly love it. If a piece is rare, unusual or something you have searched for, do not count on it surviving until the end.
- Wait on common items. Everyday dishes, books and housewares are more likely to still be there on the final day.
- Read the sale terms. Look at the listing to see when discounts start and how steep they are.
- Ask about a hold. Some sales will let you set an item aside for a short time. It never hurts to ask politely.
- Take a photo and a note. If you leave something behind, snap a picture of it and make a note of the room and price so you can find it quickly later.
- Arrive early on the last day. As she found, there may be a line, and discount days draw crowds.
Caring for a Vintage Coat
If you ever bring home a vintage fur or any cold weather coat, a few care basics can help it last. Check the lining and the seams for tears, since older linings can wear out before the outer layer. Look at the hooks, buttons and clasps. Hold the garment up to the light and look for thinning areas or dry, brittle patches.
For storage, a breathable garment bag and a wide, sturdy hanger are better than plastic and a thin wire hanger. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and avoid storing it tightly against other clothing. If it needs cleaning, take it to a professional who specializes in this kind of garment rather than using an ordinary dry cleaner. Any significant change, such as shortening the length, is best left to someone with experience.
Her small story carries a larger lesson that fits the whole estate sale hobby. Sometimes hesitation costs you, and sometimes patience pays. Either way, a second trip can be well worth it. At forty dollars for a haul that includes a coat she clearly loves, she seems to agree.
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