Finding Profits At Estate Sales – A Guide for eBay Sellers
Part 1 – The Kitchen
Estate sales can be overwhelming. So much to look at, so little time. In order to navigate the waters of this very special type of sourcing opportunity, it is important to stay focused and informed. This is the first of a multi-part series that will help you narrow your search for profitable estate sale items to sell on eBay.
Cooking Up Profits
Always start your estate sale adventure by visiting the kitchen. Every house has a kitchen, and many of them are filled with amazing finds that not everyone knows about. The following items are relatively common and can be worth quite a bit of money.
Pots and Pans
First of all, look for high-end pots and pans. High-end pots and pans are hot property on eBay, and they are often overlooked by pickers. Brands such as All-Clad and SaladMaster bring in the big bucks, and copper pots made in France are always in demand.
Knives
Thereafter, check out the knife drawer. Knives are high-profit, lightweight items that are easy to ship and can be purchased for next to nothing.
Look for brands such as Wüsthof, Henckels, and Cutco. Note: When it comes to knives, the bigger the better. For example, chef’s knives and cleavers usually sell for quite a bit more than steak knives.
In addition, be sure to pay attention to condition. Unless you are skilled at restoring blades, only purchase knives with blades that are not bent or chipped. Note: Knives that have been stored in drawers instead of knife blocks often have bent tips.
Flatware Secrets
Flatware is another product found in the kitchen that can be quite valuable. Flatware can, of course, be sold in sets, but many people buy individual place settings or pieces. FYI: When listing flatware on eBay, write the brand and style name in the title of each listing.
Sterling Silver
When looking for flatware, many sellers search for sterling. Sterling silver flatware is difficult to find at a good price because most people realize that it is valuable. Sometimes, however, sterling is not marked clearly or the markings are hard to see. This is why it is important to use the magnifying glass feature on your cell phone or a loop to inspect flatware closely.
The Sterling Score
In addition to sterling silver flatware, look for sterling silver platters. A few years back we purchased a silver platter for $8 at a professionally run estate sale. The back of the platter was engraved with a series of symbols, but the word sterling was nowhere to be found. After doing some research, we found a guide to these symbols online. Eventually, we determined that the item we had purchased was, indeed, made of sterling silver. A local silver buyer offered us $1000 for our $8 purchase.
Silverplate
In addition, we sell silverplate. While it is true that certain brands of silver plated flatware sell for a fortune, we usually do not often find these brands. That is why we focus on selling silverplate in lots. Silverplate can often be purchased inexpensively at estate sales as many people do not believe it is worth much. Crafters, however, love silverplate. We store the silver plate we find in large flat rate boxes. When a box is full, we list it on eBay.
Mixers and Blenders
Finally, look for high-end blenders and mixers. Vitamix and Blendtec blenders, for example, can be worth a fortune. Even broken blenders can be sold for parts. KitchenAid and Bosch mixers are also quite popular.
So the next time you’re at an estate, head for the kitchen first. It’s a goldmine if you know what to look for!
About the Author
Miriam Otto is an eBay blogger and credentialed teacher with 13 years’ experience selling on the site. She was a frequent guest on eBay Radio and has participated in eBay seller panels and projects. Her blog, The eBay Life, is an all-in-one resource for eBay sellers.