"Estate Sales? " Topic

Anyone camp estate sales looking for bargains? Or is that too morbid?

I've heard that often the stuff of long time gamers just goes in the trash which approaches levels of tragedy I dare not contemplate.

I used to be very active in the antique business back in the 80s and 90s, and attended multiple estate auctions a week, and must say that I never saw any miniatures (other than old toy soldiers) for sale at any of them. Though I did get the occasional terrain lot from railroad collectors.
That being said, I don't think there's anything morbid about purchasing stuff at estate sales. Most folks are thrilled to know that their loved one's things are going to someone who will really appreciate them.

I picked up a complete copy of Darktower a few weeks ago at one.

My brother picked up about 250 reenactor uniforms at an estate sale and is wondering how to get rid of them.

My brother picked up about 250 reenactor uniforms at an estate sale and is wondering how to get rid of them.

Seriously? I would think they could be sold to reenactors, or costume shops, or donated to theaters, college drama departments, etc..

As for the OT, I've never tried an estate sale, though I see nothing morbid about it. Seems like it would be hit or miss, too. But the families appreciate both the opportunity to see someone else enjoy their loved one's hobby, or at the very least the influx of cash to defray some expenses.

Winston;

What kind of uniforms, sizes, periods?

What condition?

It's not morbid. It's practical. Although a gent in my area was nearing the end and his family were seeking buyers for his miniatures and such from amongst his fellow gamers. This was mostly to help with expenses. He's taken a turn for the better before anyone came up with the money to buy his stuff. Now we're organizing a game session or two at the hospital he's in. At his Doctor's request.
I'm not all that long for this world myself. Heart condition. I hope someone will enjoy my stuff after I'm gone. I'm fairly sure this will happen. As my son is in routine contact with my game buddies.
So I say good luck to you, Pete. Hope you find some really excellent bargains.

I have a buddy and we've agreed to help each other's widow get rid of our stuff if needed (just in case I get hit by a bus).

Seems like clubs often take care of this. The widow opens the garage and the club sells it off or buys it or just takes it away.

I know I've been offered several "come take what you want, save it from the landfill" type things.

I hope it happens to my stuff once I'm in the ground.

I used to visit garage, yard and estate sales looking for stuff, but never found anything for wargaming. I don't do it as much anymore, but I do frequent a few local resale shops where I find the toys that I turn into my urban and sci-fi terrain.

I have passed on some GW stuff, and once I apparently missed a bunch of Battletech figures by minutes. Question is, who in my gaming dead town bought them!

Interesting original question. It doesn't really come up here in Britain because we don't really have estate sales.

When someone dies their family will normally sort out their stuff. They will keep what they want, chuck the stuff that seems worthless, and sell the rest.

It is obviously the way it is sold that is the difference. If something looks like it might be reasonably valuable, it will go to an auction. There are loads of these, selling antiques and collectibles. But most of the stuff being sold is entered by traders and people, so you don't assume that the previous owner has died!

Less valuable stuff might be taken to a Car Boot Sale. Usually happening on a Sunday morning, it is a bit like an American yard sale but there are usually dozens, if not hundreds, of sellers parked in a field selling stuff out of their cars. Bargain hunting at Car Boot Sales has become quite a popular pastime! Again, most of the stuff on sale is general bric-a-brac from people having a bit of a clear out so you don't assume it is a dead person's stuff.

I have occasional luck at garage sales and flea-markets. Out stuff is so weird most people don't know what to do with it. I've had several singular success' the chief of which is a copy of H.G. Wells' "Floor Games" for a dollar. At another time I told a woman selling a large minis collection that she should check with her son who was away at college, if he REALLY wanted to sell them. Her "Oh he's not interested in that any more." was very disingenuous and unconvincing. I was a bit short on funds so I couldn't buy it.

I'm beginning to think that the fate people dread for their collections is pretty rare. I don't see that much and never have and I think that a guy's buddies at the behest of the wife swoop down and carry off the loot.

What always bothered me is that the PAPERS of the gamer get tossed. That is, all his ideas, battle reports, rules, scenarios, writings etc. This is the real treasure that dies with a player. His mental thoughts and ideas.

I once picked up a box of painted Ral Partha knights, clerics, and some odd metal Science Fiction warp-drive engine pieces at a local yard sale for one dollar.

A young woman and her mother were selling off a rather large collection of Dungeons & Dragons-type figures, mostly unpainted, apparently abandoned by the ex-boyfriend / husband.

I passed on the D&D stuff, because I wasn't into it. But in retrospect, I should have picked up the lot -- considering the sellers really wanted to get rid of it; and passed it on to friends into fantasy gaming.

I guess that almost qualified as an "estate sale" as I did feel a bit of mental anguish for the apparent "ex" now bereft of his figures.

Years ago I bought a whole bunch of colonials at a military show.
Our group has a verbal agreement that those of us still around will sell collections for ones who are not.

Eh, if I croak I'm gonna have my unpainted minis painted professionally, then use my ashes as base flocking.

Hi Winston

Could we get a little more information about the reenactor uniforms? Depending on sizes and periods, I might be able to help find buyers.

Bjporter contact
john_the_ofm at msn dot com
I/ he can give you more details.
A lot of German uniforms as a medic and a lot of different camo. All are in good condition and I suspect never worn.
He also did an Indiana Jones and had some leather bomber jackets.
He was a small guy.