Kind of a short answer guy, ain't he? 

Dang.  Lot nicer than our SA ARC.
Ours is in industrial area right in the middle of drug central.

Auction day....

Started off well.  13 units up, 9 people.  Good odds.

Out of 13, seven didnt get a single bid!  Total trash, mildew.  We weren't told but our thoughts were there was a water leak, contents destroyed, settled with tenants and owner was trying to get rid of contents without having to pay for it....

Other six units weren't as bad quality wise but smelled.  All but one went for under $100.  One for $300 just because it had an old school roll way tool box.

He under $100 units were cheap furniture, liquor boxes......people bid just because they were cheap and easy clean outs with the assumption 90% is going straight to dump.

I might have bid on a gamble there was something had I brought a truck but the facility was 45 miles away.  Didnt want to drive back out on a gamble....

Another in morning just up the way.  Maybe it will be better

I think my top picks have been for personal use rather than resale.
I mean, I've gotten home speakers for $20 and sold for $300. 
Set of brand new escalade rims and tires for $100 and sold them for $1200.
And that rotary tool I got about a year ago for $15 and sold 45minutes later for $225.

But mostly the thing I remember are items I want/need but can't afford then find cheap at a sale.

Like the $300 carpet cleaner I got for $12.50.
I'm building a set of copper cookware.  Have $400-$500 worth now and have spent $50-ish.
Or the Tiffany&Co cheese knife set for $40.  I'd never spend (and think its crazy someone spent) $695 on something like that but $40? Yeah, it adds something to the meal to have a nice set like that. (Tho if I ever need money I'd have no problem selling it!)



And just last week I paid $20 for the contents of a pantry (estate sale).
Had jars of pine nuts, saffron, truffle's, really good olive oils, imported olives of various kinds....quick calculation it was over $300 in stuff I love but just can't justify buying it.

He son was planning on selling the plot to over gambling losses and you just screwed him and his going to have his legs broken!

Or even better, the family is in the mob and they disposed of a body in that plot so they couldn't have anyone digging it up!

I mean, it could just be they never got around to it.  But that's no fun.

So how do you send him? Urn and all or just dump him in a Baggie?  Flat rate envelope?  How do you figure "insurance" on an item like that?

I have found private sales to be hit & miss.  Usually they value items more and price higher.  But then way under value other items.

Example: guy wanted $100 for his dads chisel set. Dad was an avid carver.  Nice set but well used and going on ebay for $70-ish.   But then he had all the cast iron pans that were slightly rusted (easy fix) for a dollar! 

Over all I find few deals on resale able items but great deals for personal use stuff.

Professionals?
I have three companies I love.  They price fair for family getting money out of estate but still low enough to move a lot and leave room to resell.

Two others own antique/vintage shops.  They price SO high.  I believe it's because they keep wht doesn't sell and sell in shop.  They don't want people to buy it at estate.   Pretty much all the stuff is priced  at or *just* below retail.

Another company is a clean out company.  Holds estate, family gets 40% then he keeps everything...and totally cleans out house.  Garbage, junk cars, junk.....
He always has the highest prices on good stuff because he wants it to sell online.  But all the crap he doesnt want/slow selling is dirt cheap.  Plates at 10 cents.  Clothes at 50 cents. 
Totally scamming the family. 

Did okay picking this weekend. Not going to make a score but better than the last couple weekends were if you take gas into consideration I broke even or lost money.

Got another Fordom rotary tool.  It's another bench model but an easy sell. Picked for $15, will price at $40.

Then got another rotary tool I've never seen but it had a Dremel flex shaft.  Picked for $7.50, sold shaft for $25 already and mark tool for ?? ....try $20 and see what happens.

Another old school pipe wrench for $2.  That's three.  Once I hit five Ill sell as a lot.  Found its easier to sell them that way.

Nice Stanley machinist vise.  Nothing special. New $45.  Picked for $5, marked at $25. 

Then just a ton of small smalls.  Speciality tool, small kitchen appliances, lab glass.....
Like $2-$10 mark up but easy sell items.

All told I'm estimating about $$150-$200 profit with very little work or time commitment.
And savings have to be added in.  10 cans of scotch guard for $5 (which was actually on my grocery list) About $75 worth of canned goods for $10.  Two, 6pk of new socks for $2.   

This time of year there is just so much compitition.  Not just professional buyers but people just wanting to get out and enjoy the weather.  They are even worse because they don't look at a $40 (new) item that is marked at $25 as no room for profit, they see a savings of $15.   And high crowds means less ability to haggle prices and less likely anything good is left on the last (50% off) day.   

I do admit, its a lot more fun with crowds.  Get to talk to people.  Able to help them on what things are and if its a good price....and vice versa, I've learned so much from the old guys explaining tools or watches or car parts.   But I'll be happy when the thrill is over and it dies down.  Happens every summer. Crowds like this don't last long.....