Tips of the Trade: House of Hipsters’ Kyla Herbes on How to Shop an Estate Sale Online
![Tips of the Trade: House of Hipsters’ Kyla Herbes on How to Shop an Estate Sale Online](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2017/07/12/20/33/14/365022d0-dbe2-43fc-acf2-38f4c90830ac/hero.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=766&h=&fit=max&crop=&auto=format)
“Growing up in rural Wisconsin, I went to auctions with my father, but I had never heard of an estate sale. Twenty years ago, you really had to hunt around and watch for signs along the roadside! Now, every couple of weeks I tend to scour the internet for listings while laying in my bed before falling asleep. If something catches my eye, I know I’ll have something to do on Saturday morning. My kids are starting to come with me, which is really fun! We have to talk before entering someone else’s home: we must not touch, we must be respectful, only use our eyes. For being so young, they’re really good about it.
An estate sale can be a very personal experience. If you ask about a piece, there’s probably a great story behind it. One gentleman was so excited when I purchased the wallpaper brush he used for countless hours with his father, because he said he never wanted to see it again. It now sits on a shelf in my home. If only he knew.
When it comes to shopping an estate sale online: it’s plain old convenient. I can shop them 24/7; sitting next to my husband while he’s watching television, for example. I can shop multiple estates at a time, or run a search on a specific item. I can shop from my phone while commuting on a train to the city. My weekends are freed up. But the best reason to shop online is no standing in line at 7 am, waiting hours in the rain, and getting through the front door only to find that the one thing you really wanted is gone!"
1. Always check the measurements.
It seems like a no brainer but can be easily forgotten. Size is something that gets me over and over again in person and online. Check the dimensions, not once, but three times a lady. Sometimes I get so excited about a piece’s prettiness that it makes me forget to pull out my measuring tape, but the pink Robbie Kemper artwork I won from EBTH is a great example of why it’s so important: It had to be large enough to hang above my dresser without looking awkward. I once bought a nightstand online and when it showed up, it was teeny weeny. I found a replacement at the flea a week later, but that one was about 3" too wide. On both occasions, I forgot to measure.
![Tips of the Trade: House of Hipsters’ Kyla Herbes on How to Shop an Estate Sale Online](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2017/07/12/20/19/35/b9c67518-317a-46ae-aed0-851c16c7958c/170714_tip1.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=766&h=&fit=max&crop=&auto=format)
![Hand-Painted Polychrome Carnival Game Wheel Hand-Painted Polychrome Carnival Game Wheel](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/22/16/01/59/Attachment-87d16b70-c499-4c02-8ffc-eaa428191cfa.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Hand-Painted Polychrome Carnival Game Wheel
![Neoclassical Style Parcel-Gilt Wood Columns Neoclassical Style Parcel-Gilt Wood Columns](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/16/20/48/13/Attachment-3a2d8b63-12f7-4c52-ad99-9deacc350dae.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Neoclassical Style Parcel-Gilt Wood Columns
![3'8 x 8' Hand-Knotted Caucasian Lenkoran Long Rug 3'8 x 8' Hand-Knotted Caucasian Lenkoran Long Rug](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/09/14/52/27/Attachment-d2d30178-84e3-4cda-b143-2faee8e1e69d.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
3'8 x 8' Hand-Knotted Caucasian Lenkoran Long Rug
![Lorraine Robertson Wooded Landscape Oil Painting Lorraine Robertson Wooded Landscape Oil Painting](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/18/17/39/07/Attachment-8c02c850-2208-47a6-a815-c2f062592a4e.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Lorraine Robertson Wooded Landscape Oil Painting
![Tips of the Trade: House of Hipsters’ Kyla Herbes on How to Shop an Estate Sale Online](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2017/07/11/20/13/19/dd594a87-9109-43ce-9adc-a7d2405cf6f3/170714_tip2.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=766&h=&fit=max&crop=&auto=format)
2. Set an alarm on your phone and turn notifications on.
You may think you’’ll remember when a sale goes live, or when an auction for an item is ending, but there’s a huge possibility that you won’t. These two white vases were a find at 1 am, while I was jet lagged in the Canary Islands. Remembering to keep tabs on an item is hard enough, but with the time change, a notification was definitely necessary.
![KPM Porcelain Plaque "Springtime" After Cuno von Bodenhausen KPM Porcelain Plaque "Springtime" After Cuno von Bodenhausen](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/24/12/28/31/Attachment-2c7f1b40-d0f8-41e1-95b0-04cfaf2a1f3a.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
KPM Porcelain Plaque "Springtime" After Cuno von Bodenhausen
![Phyllis Trager Hyman Abstract Mixed Media Painting "Jubi Lee," 2000 Phyllis Trager Hyman Abstract Mixed Media Painting "Jubi Lee," 2000](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/22/16/12/01/Attachment-7c6ce283-b28b-4910-aaf3-65f303744664.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Phyllis Trager Hyman Abstract Mixed Media Painting "Jubi Lee," 2000
![Chinese Style Burl and Ebonized Wood Cabinet, Late 20th Century Chinese Style Burl and Ebonized Wood Cabinet, Late 20th Century](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/06/27/12/47/36/Attachment-d3be4c2e-0bf4-4ee6-a51d-09a984679aa6.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Chinese Style Burl and Ebonized Wood Cabinet, Late 20th Century
![Hoi Lebadang Color Lithograph "Cheval en habit de Fête II" Hoi Lebadang Color Lithograph "Cheval en habit de Fête II"](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/10/20/27/42/Attachment-e5db88bd-4072-4ad5-90e7-5e7eb43e06ca.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Hoi Lebadang Color Lithograph "Cheval en habit de Fête II"
3. Research the price and know your final bid number.
Everyone wants a deal, but you also don’t want to overbid. Know what the item is worth.
![Tips of the Trade: House of Hipsters’ Kyla Herbes on How to Shop an Estate Sale Online](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2017/07/12/20/19/35/f4f47c88-c599-467a-95f2-4a667938e804/170714_tip3.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=766&h=&fit=max&crop=&auto=format)
![Ginala Wool and Rabbit Fur Trim Coat from Bonwit Teller, Mid-Late 20th Century Ginala Wool and Rabbit Fur Trim Coat from Bonwit Teller, Mid-Late 20th Century](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/22/11/59/29/Attachment-1214e19b-65ae-407e-9292-1d5c458d02d8.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Ginala Wool and Rabbit Fur Trim Coat from Bonwit Teller, Mid-Late 20th Century
![Chinoiserie Style Cast Fiberglass Side Table, 21st Century Chinoiserie Style Cast Fiberglass Side Table, 21st Century](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/23/13/11/15/Attachment-40d65a4f-634d-4942-bfc5-79ef54301ff6.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Chinoiserie Style Cast Fiberglass Side Table, 21st Century
![Pablo Picasso Linocut "Les Vendangeurs," 1962 Pablo Picasso Linocut "Les Vendangeurs," 1962](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/24/13/58/43/Attachment-140380bf-8267-4e34-b5c6-c9607a926380.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Pablo Picasso Linocut "Les Vendangeurs," 1962
![David Andrews Oil Portrait "Falcon at Rest," 2017 David Andrews Oil Portrait "Falcon at Rest," 2017](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/22/16/46/16/Attachment-6cd6cf04-e8ad-4cf0-a3bf-95ceb2576269.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
David Andrews Oil Portrait "Falcon at Rest," 2017
![Tips of the Trade: House of Hipsters’ Kyla Herbes on How to Shop an Estate Sale Online](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2017/07/11/20/13/20/2b3b4ce8-a3fd-446b-a92c-dc07c059c2c6/170714_tip4.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=766&h=&fit=max&crop=&auto=format)
4. Use the Search tool and check alternative keywords.
For example, if you’re looking for “lucite,” also search under “acrylic.” Sometimes an item can be mislabeled.
![Persian Lamb Fur Jacket with Black Cross Mink Fur Trim, Circa 1960 Persian Lamb Fur Jacket with Black Cross Mink Fur Trim, Circa 1960](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/23/14/23/49/Attachment-457371ad-dc61-41d5-8958-bc9b32de00c3.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Persian Lamb Fur Jacket with Black Cross Mink Fur Trim, Circa 1960
![Aaron Wooten Stylized Forest Landscape Acrylic Painting "The House.," 2024 Aaron Wooten Stylized Forest Landscape Acrylic Painting "The House.," 2024](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/06/26/19/12/13/Attachment-a7e6a3ba-9df4-4aa8-ae1a-030f44d3542f.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Aaron Wooten Stylized Forest Landscape Acrylic Painting "The House.," 2024
![Inga Kovalenko Oil Painting of Bird, 2024 Inga Kovalenko Oil Painting of Bird, 2024](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/06/20/12/57/18/Attachment-cae4e680-15d0-4885-9c53-3a2006ec312f.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Inga Kovalenko Oil Painting of Bird, 2024
![Alexander Calder Color Lithograph "Stabile VII" for "Derrière le Miroir," 1963 Alexander Calder Color Lithograph "Stabile VII" for "Derrière le Miroir," 1963](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/22/18/31/50/Attachment-4e46e52f-c485-4d6e-a82a-372d0ec56f62.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Alexander Calder Color Lithograph "Stabile VII" for "Derrière le Miroir," 1963
5. Zoom in on photos.
Scuffs and marks aren’t as noticeable online. Look carefully for chips, stains and smudges, read the description carefully, and always look for a maker’s mark. These steps came in handy when I was determining how much I was willing to bid on this black and white Royal Haeger vase.
![Tips of the Trade: House of Hipsters’ Kyla Herbes on How to Shop an Estate Sale Online](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2017/07/12/20/19/36/db0dd770-ca28-4a39-80e6-7c91ca2b7cce/170714_tip5.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=766&h=&fit=max&crop=&auto=format)
![Burger Beer Illuminated Advertising Sign, Mid-20th Century Burger Beer Illuminated Advertising Sign, Mid-20th Century](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/22/14/59/20/Attachment-30358ac1-2628-4165-8ceb-8ddbac9821f2.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Burger Beer Illuminated Advertising Sign, Mid-20th Century
![Saturday Evening Girls Painted Paul Revere Ceramic Paperweight, 1915 Saturday Evening Girls Painted Paul Revere Ceramic Paperweight, 1915](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/06/05/19/20/38/Attachment-ab3d99f4-bd8a-43a4-a792-693e6f26b43e.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Saturday Evening Girls Painted Paul Revere Ceramic Paperweight, 1915
![Bronze-Patinated Sculpture After Auguste Moreau "Spring Symphony" Bronze-Patinated Sculpture After Auguste Moreau "Spring Symphony"](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/07/25/21/41/00/Attachment-9c521a1d-d272-4336-9736-65d9035ba28e.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Bronze-Patinated Sculpture After Auguste Moreau "Spring Symphony"
![Salvador Dalí Wood Engraving "Charon et le passage de l'Achéron" Salvador Dalí Wood Engraving "Charon et le passage de l'Achéron"](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2024/03/04/16/03/13/Attachment-83b2f55b-b3f0-4458-96dc-4a3c177ce2b8.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Salvador Dalí Wood Engraving "Charon et le passage de l'Achéron"
![Tips of the Trade: House of Hipsters’ Kyla Herbes on How to Shop an Estate Sale Online](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2017/07/11/20/13/20/68a62c2c-2dbf-49d0-ae70-e92478cab311/170714_tip6.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=766&h=&fit=max&crop=&auto=format)
6. A single piece can lead to a treasure trove.
When you find one item that fits your style, keep looking through other items in the sale. The taste tends to be similar and now, you’re shopping a curation.
7. Take a peek at the bidding history.
You may see the price jumps in increments of $5. If that’s the case, try placing a max bid that ends with $7.
![Tips of the Trade: House of Hipsters’ Kyla Herbes on How to Shop an Estate Sale Online](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2017/07/12/20/24/17/b5161ed7-0fe0-42b5-b1fb-454f1372915d/tip7-updated.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=766&h=&fit=max&crop=&auto=format)