Does the term "estate sale" imply anything other than whatever is in a house?

Question

I've been trying to liquidate the contents of my mother's house and have been listing it in the classifieds as an estate sale. I have had many people turn angry when they see there are no high-end, Sotheby's or Christie's quality items. One man I though was going to hit me. He was shaking his fist and screaming, "When you have something good to sell, let me know!" Don't people want just household items any more? Why do they assume an estate sale will involve antiques?

Answer 1

People can be real jerks. What you are having is infact an estate sale.  Because people are so abusive; maybe when you advertise you can put "Estate sale of general household goods/items".

Good luck. Professional garage salers' are a different breed.

Answer 2

Because money is very tight right now. People want value - i.e. something for nothing. You can't help what people will assume you have, and they probably feel they wasted their time and gas coming to your sale when they could buy kitchen gadgets and pillow cases perhaps cheaper and closer at the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Also, the "Just a Dollar' stores are ruining garage sales. My mom saw a miniature tea set at a lawn sale about 10 years ago. It was wrapped up really nice in a little box with tissue paper tucked around it and she bought it for $10. About 3 months after this I saw the exact same set in a bubble pack in the dollar store.

Answer 3

Don't feel bad at all.........about 50% of them will steal and put it in their pockets when your not looking.........so tell them you are just a "low life that doesn't know good from bad.........but just before they leave invite them into the garage and show them your Lambraginii......lol........see what they say then. Have fun and give it right back to them. Sorry , I can't spell the name of my car:) Ya I'm lying

Answer 4

you are correct  you were selling entire contents of house if you were selling partial contents of house it would have been a tag sale. some people would make their parents ashamed that they raised them

Answer 5

You've done nothing wrong, and you are correct in listing the items as an estate sale. If you advertise the merchandise in a free publication, just include a description of the items (e.g., mid-century maple dining room set, fair condition; vintage cotton shirtwaist dresses). Include your phone number rather than your address so you can talk to people before they show up at your door. Or advertise the stuff on craigslist. Good luck!