I'm finding myself wanting to expand on comments I'm leaving on friends' blogs today!
I find that there are more people attending estate sales, and the line ups are horrendous!!! More people are watching their money, so it isn't just antique 'pickers' like myself who are attending. More people are furnishing their homes with vintage.
Due to the economy, I think more people are 'going green' without realizing it. For example, I've seen a young couple looking for furniture for their apartment, and I've seen a middle aged couple thrilled to buy a 1970's china cabinet, that was beautiful wood, and much cheaper than a new one in a furniture store.
Alot of people attending these sales are friendly, and like to talk to other people about the items, and what they think is collectible. There are people I've grown to recognize, and will greet me, and other people, they meet. These are the antique & vintage luvers!
Most of the estate sales I have attended, promote courtesy at the sale, and respect for not blocking resident parking; these are sales by estate sellers I know. These estate businesses are run by people who give the personal touch...sharing their expertise about items, and giving regulars advance notice of upcoming sales.
I have been to family run estate sales where the people have been very nice also! There were only a couple of sales where I met rude people pushing for items...those were not put on by the main estate sellers in this area.
The last estate sale I attended was very professionally run, and it was an estate seller who I had not met before. I appreciated the personal touch of sharing his knowledge about the vintage jewelry for sale, and I will attend more of his sales in future. His business will be added to my list of favorites.