That hidden box trick at estate sales legit doubled my finds

I was getting frustrated because I'd show up early to sales in Tacoma and still miss the good stuff. Turns out the pros weren't just grabbing visible items from tables. They'd ask the staff if there was a "holding area" for stuff pulled from back rooms or basements. I tried it at a sale last month, they pointed me to a cardboard box under a desk with three vintage Pyrex bowls and a 1940s camera. Has anyone else gotten lucky by asking to see the overflow?

2 comments

2 Comments

mason.paige1mo ago

Oh man, that holding area trick is gold. I went to this one sale where the lady running it seemed kinda annoyed I was there. I just said "hey, you got any overflow stuff from the garage?" and she pointed to this beat up filing cabinet in the corner. Inside was a complete set of 1950s aluminum Christmas tree branches still in their original box. I almost felt bad paying ten bucks for it. Now I always ask about "the stuff that hasn't made it out yet" or "anything from the attic or basement." Usually works about half the time.

fisher.diana1mo ago

Have you tried checking under tables or behind furniture too? That works for me.