Flotsam & Jetsam

Line formed. It was one person out, one in. One of the workers was so addicted to his own voice, that he completely ignored the many customers waiting outside in the rain while 7 people exited the house. Once inside there was plenty of room everywhere. Then we found incredibly overpriced ordinary items and bad art. I can’t believe how many people were throwing their money away for that stuff. I find more at almost any garage sale for much less. Come on– a 6X9″ bubble envelope for 50c? Why don’t you price each paper clip separately while you’re at it? At least big mouth tall guy was having fun.

We saw an estate sale listing on an estate sale website and decided to go. The listing was very thorough and had many great pictures posted. Since my husband and I have gone to a lot of estate sales in the past, we were well prepared on how this one would work.
The event started on a Friday afternoon. I was highly skeptical about how many people would show up because people are usually working. However, my husband was determined to not spend hours in line so he woke up at 5:30 a.m. to drive to the location and put our names on «the list.» They put a notebook out by the house and you basically write your names inside. You might want to take a picture of the first page because in the past, people have ripped out pages or crossed out names just to be ahead on the list. Anyways, there were already people at the house putting their names down at 5:45 a. m!
We we arrived at noon, there were already about 75 people waiting around! Then, people naturally started to form a line by the door. I usually hate estate sales because people get really push and antsy while waiting outside. However, this was was relatively pleasant because they started on time and we were at the tool of the list. We had to wait about 5 minutes outside and then we were in.
After we went in, it was like a mass scramble to seize all the tags in order to claim their goods. I don’t even think people knew what they were taking. They probably were just taking the tags first and then thinking about whether or not they wanted it. Things were relatively higher priced here then at other place. If you’re looking for a steal, I doubt you’ll be able to find one at these estate sales. The people working at this estate sale is pretty knowledgeable and probably researches the items well in advance so they are pricing it pretty much at market rate (–a couple of bucks so you get some kind of a deal). The people working at the estate sale that I went to were pretty nice. I enjoyed it and would probably come back.

I love this team of quirky people! Merritt Green is the salt of the earth kind of gal that you can completely trust. We used them for my mom’s estate sale and my clients have used them to get some cash and move to their next home with fewer possessions. She knows her stuff and brings in outside experts to appraise items when she has questions. I had one client with an entire bookstore in her basement. Merritt cleared it out by bringing in book buyers who appreciated what was there. If it isn’t going to bring top dollar at an estate sale she finds someplace it will sell. And she does know what will sell. Don’t toss anything until she has seen it. You might be surprised.

I used to love an estate sale but now I just drive on by-​UNLESS it is a Flotsam and Jetsam sale. The staff at these sales are FUN and the prices are right and I am both thrifty and picky. They are meticulously organized. I always find great stuff and have a good time which is as important to me finding bargains.

Yesterday was my first, (and last), F&J estate sale. I showed up just before the noon opening time. Noon came and went. The line did not move, and there was no explanation from the staff as to how they were allowing people to enter. For those unfamiliar with estate sales, companies usually post their entry policies online, (a list, standing in line, etc).
About 30 minutes in, we found out there had been a sign up sheet, and they were allowing these people to enter first, (this was not advertised). They initially let 12 people in. If one came out, one went in. At one point, almost everyone in the house was in line paying, and no one was browsing. Apparently, the cashier was handwriting receipts for those who resell items. People got tired of waiting and left.
It wasn’t a good sign when people were leaving empty handed. When I finally got in after waiting for an hour, I saw why. Most everything was overpriced. When I paid for the few items I did find, the woman was obviously WAY stressed out. She took a phone call in the middle of my transaction and didn’t say another word to me, (not even thank you).
People who run estate sales need to understand they have two types of customers. The ones they’re selling the items for, and the people they’re selling the items to.

I’ve experienced some interminably long waits at F+J events (and not because there were that many people in line either). Nothing moving, no explanation from staff, people walking away instead of continuing the wait to get in.
It seemed (?) like just a few industry types and professional pickers were given first entry and allowed to take as loooooooong as they wanted, with the whole place to themselves. Seriously. Our money is green too, right? So much for the community vibe of an in-​home sale. And as for the pros? Even *they* left empty handed.*
More than once I’ve stood in line with unhappy people, all of them grousing. Way to suck the fun out of a community event, F+J. Crazy hats on staff members don’t make estate sales fun, good flow and decent prices do.
This last sale, apparently a big piece of the hold up was the line to pay inside. (wuh?)
Estate sales are by nature chaotic, the pros running them should be 3 things to offset this:
— calm
— efficient
— knowledgable
I have no reason to think Flotsam & Jetson isn’t knowledgable. But those other two… well…
* prices = TOO HIGH.

Disregard the one star review, he’s wrong on all counts. The owner is honest to a fault and is not the «bearded gentleman». Their prices are spot on. You don’t sell the contents of entire houses if your pricing isn’t right. Finally, look at the reviews he has left for others. Out of seven reviews six are one star. Enough said.

WAY overpriced and the bearded gentleman (owner)? gives us the sense that he’s not being completely honest. Pass on these guys if you can.

Merritt Green is a very knowledgeable and sensitive business owner. Helping clients sift through sometimes decades of family treasures she organizes sales and helps find collectors for specialty items. Hardworking, organized and honest! I refer her to all my clients who are in need of assistance in downsizing or estate sales.