10 Things You Should Never Buy at an Estate Sale, According to Experts

Upholstered Furniture

"This is a hot take, but I don't love upholstered furniture from estate sales," says Maggie Delahoyde, owner and curator of Lowery's Dial, a vintage gift shop. She points out that unless you plan to recover the furniture immediately, you're probably setting yourself up for a piece of furniture that's in less than desirable condition. "Estate sale furniture has often seen many, many years of wear and tear in older homes and likely has stains or damage that can't be removed. Often, the price is not worth the potential," says Delahoyde.

Add in the potential of odors and even bugs, and you might want to skip anything upholstered—unless you're skilled with a staple gun and batting.

Puzzles

If you spot a puzzle you're dying to try your hand at, you might want to think again. Delahoyde notes that anything that comes with multiple pieces—like puzzles or games—may not actually have all of the pieces when you open up the box. "A piece is usually missing that you haven't noticed and they are rarely tested before pricing," says Delahoyde. And who wants to get to the end of a puzzle only to discover the final ten pieces are missing?

Cutting Boards and Kitchen Utensils

"Aside from china and glasses, which I'll gladly purchase, I usually skip most kitchen items like cutting boards and utensils," says Delahoyde. She points out that if these items are still in the house at an estate sale, they've likely been used for years or decades. Their usable lifespan is limited and even at a rock-bottom price, they're probably not worth purchasing.

Kitchen Appliances

A deal is only a deal if it's actually safe to use. While appliances may be totally fine to pick up at an estate sale, you need to pay careful attention to wires or anything that could be a risk—and sometimes, it's better to play it safe. "I tend to stay away from old handheld appliances, like toasters, crock pots, and any items that could potentially be fire hazards in the home," says Willow Wright, owner of Urban Redeux, a vintage shop.

Items You Haven't Measured

Always bring a measuring tape and an idea of the sizing in your rooms. "I’ve purchased an item in the past that was too wide and didn’t go through our front door. A big mistake and I ultimately had to donate the piece as it was final sale," says McCray.

Now, she always advises having the measurements of your space available, as well as the ceiling height and, of course, the width of the door frame.

Chipped Glassware

Chipped glassware is a no-go when it comes to estate sale buys, but it can easily fly under the radar. "This seems like a no-brainer, but flea bite chips on glass edges can be hard to see, and you don't want to get home and find them," says Wright. "Run your hand around (lightly) the rim, and your fingers will tell you if the glass is safe to purchase or not."

Sheets and Towels

Sheets and towels don't last forever and unless you stumble upon a treasure trove of crisp cotton sheets that have never been used or brand new towels, it's probably best to pass by the linens.

"I almost skip bedrooms entirely. I never buy sheets, blankets, towels, pillows, and rarely rugs," Delahoyde says. "Personal use items get used daily, for years! Often, their value has long passed."

Potential DIY Projects

This buy or pass depends on your motivation and DIY ability. If you know you'll break out the sander and paint stripper, then buy the rehab-ready furniture that you can get for a song. But, if you're a would-be DIYer who isn't quite sure how to approach a project, then it's probably best to let those items go.

"Anytime I come across a 'project' item at an estate sale that takes more than two to three steps or requires more purchases to complete my vision, I usually skip it," says Delahoyde. "I've bought so many sets of dining chairs that needed to be refinished and recovered. It never matches the vision in my head, and the work is always double what you think."

Repainted Items

If you shop estate sales with the hope of finding something that has value beyond your home, then Hirsch recommends avoiding items that have been repainted or repaired. "Much of the time, that greatly diminishes the collectibility," says Reyne Hirsch, owner and fine art expert at Dallas Auction Gallery.

Additionally, repainting and repairs aren't always done well, particularly if they were a DIY job by the previous owner. You don't want to buy a chair at an estate sale only to get it home and realize the leg repair that was done in 1995 isn't going to hold.

Pantry Items

"I never buy items from someone’s pantry or fridge, as you never know how long they’ve been there. And yes, most of the time everything is for sale, even the opened spices," says McCray. The estate sale company probably isn't checking for expiration dates, so it's best to let those items go.