How to Navigate a Bundle Sale & Early Bird List at an Estate Sale
Welcome to another edition of On The Flipside with Notorious Vintage! Last week I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek inside local party planner company Setting the Mood’s warehouse while the Flipside babes were hard at work sorting, organizing, and consolidating the HUGE 10,000 square foot facility in Greenwood where Flipside Estates will be hosting their next sale this Friday- Sunday (June 7-9). While prepping for the “It’s A Party” Tag Sale, Flipside owner Jess sat down with me to give some insider info on how a “bundle sale” works, tips to make the most out of your estate sale shopping experience, and the importance of getting on the early bird list.
If this is your first time attending a sale of this magnitude, or even if it’s not, navigating could feel overwhelming. Keep reading for tips and tricks straight from the pros themselves.
Upon entering the warehouse, I was in literal shock for almost two solid minutes while I got my bearings. Ya’ll… when I tell you that you do not want to miss this sale, I MEAN IT! If you don’t believe me, check out THIS listing on Estatesale.net for all the details, including 488(!) photos of the thousands of items. There is something for everyone at this sale, from vintage to modern, but if you want to set yourself up for success, you will want to have a plan…
How to Prepare for a Bundle Sale
You may be asking, “What is a bundle sale?” You may also hear it referred to as a tag sale or picker’s sale. This is a sale where many items under a certain value are not marked with a price, allowing the buyer to negotiate a price and make bundle deals. The larger the bundle, the better the deal.
The first step to any successful estate sale haul is to check the listing on EstateSale.net before the day of the sale to get the scoop and make a list of items you have your eye on. You can even save pictures from the listing for associates to point out to you once you arrive.
Make sure to bring lots of reusable bags. While there are holding tables by the checkout, you will want something to collect your finds in while you shop so you don’t have to keep making trips to free your hands. Flipside associates will be walking around to assist, but with a sale this size, plan on being as self-sufficient as possible!
If you can, bring a friend so you can divide and conquer! You should also have a plan for transporting larger items.
Early Bird List
See something you have to have when browsing the listing? Best chance at snagging it is to join the early bird list. Don’t get it twisted… the good items WILL sell early! The list goes out one hour before the sale’s start time each day of the sale. Once your name is on the list, you can leave and return at the sale's start time to be let in in the order you signed in. If you arrive after the sale begins, especially at a sale like this, you will most likely have to wait in line since a limited number of people are allotted in the space at one time. Don’t want to leave after you add your name to the list? Bring a friend to hang with or a book to read while you wait. Better yet, make a friend in line!
Picker/Tag Sale Etiquette
In my opinion, one of the biggest challenges of a name-your-price sale, is that since many of the pieces are not priced, how do I know if I’m staying within my budget if I have no concept of the price range? Jess explained that most items that aren't priced at this type of sale will be valued under $10. Items that have a higher value will be tagged with a barcode price. Various factors determine the price: is it vintage, how desirable is the item, is it collectible, and what’s the condition? Typically, I expect to pay more for a vintage item vs. modern since it’s more desirable and rarer. In the case of a bundle sale, you are saving money because less work needs to be done by the crew on the front end by not pricing each item individually.
Even as a seasoned picker, I can still get uncomfortable when it comes to negotiating prices at checkout. When considering what I will pay for an item, it depends on whether I plan to resell it or if it’s for personal use. I’ll typically pay up if I am keeping it. If I’m reselling, I need to get the best bang for my buck. Once you have been given a price at checkout, it’s ok to counter within reason. For example, $180 to $165, not $100 to $25. Keep in mind you are shopping from a small business, and they are selling on behalf of real-life people, so be respectful when trying to seal the deal (since this is a bundle sale, negotiating price is expected; at a typical sale, it is not best practice to haggle on day one of the sale).
Pro Tips
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Tie hair back. Wear layers you can shed. —->Check out THIS reel to see how I dress for success at an estate sale.
Give yourself plenty of time to shop the entire space.
Don’t be afraid to DIG- this place has layers of treasures waiting to be discovered.
The more you buy, the more you save.
Shop for future parties, events, holidays, and gifts to save money and time.
Look for everyday practical and household products.
If you like it, grab it- you can always put it back later, but chances are it won’t be there when you go back (although you don’t want to make a habit of collecting and discarding).
Bring cash for a quicker transaction (they also accept cards and Venmo).
Inspect items thoroughly for damage before purchasing since all items are pre-owned, sold as-is, and all sales are final.
Be kind to staff and fellow shoppers for a more pleasant experience (DUH).
Leave the kiddos at home due to the amount of items and expected crowd size.
Avoid bringing anything into the sale, such as a coffee or a large bag that will prevent you from using both hands.
“It’s a Party” Tag Sale Details
“It’s A Party” Tag Sale | Greenwood, IN 46143 (address is announced on listing at 9 am Thursday, June 6th)
Friday, June 7th 9 am-2 pm | Saturday, June 8th 9 am-2 pm (25% off) | Sunday, June 9th 10 am-2 pm (50% off)
Greenwood Party Planner Estate Sale June 7, 8, 9