Nancy Hayer has who’s-its and what’s-its galore. (Photo: Sales by Nan)
By Libby Nichols
In an era when Amazon can deliver almost anything to your door in a few hours, there’s a certain appeal to hopping in the car and heading to an estate sale in search of one-of-a-kind finds. Whether it’s a hand-knotted rug, a vintage wool coat, an original work of art or an unusual conversation piece, the appeal often has less to do with saving money than discovering something no one else can buy.
In a world of algorithm-driven product recommendations and “fast furniture,” estate sales offer something increasingly rare: an element of surprise.
“There’s a thrill-of-the-hunt aspect to it,” said Nancy Hayer, owner of Sales by Nan, who has coordinated estate sales in Central Iowa for more than a decade. “You never know what you’ll find.”
Hayer said she’s noticed a surge in younger shoppers over the past few years, thanks in part to social media. While seasoned collectors and resellers still show up, many newcomers are looking for pieces that help them create homes that don’t feel copied from an Amazon Prime Day sale.
Part of what makes estate sales different from traditional thrifting is personal. Instead of sorting through donated goods, shoppers are stepping into someone’s home and exploring a curated collection that reflects a lifetime of interests, travels and tastes. One room might contain midcentury furniture, another an eclectic mix of artwork, vintage clothing and collectibles.
Kiley Cutler, who first encountered Sales by Nan as a shopper before joining the company as its marketing manager, said many shoppers return week after week because each sale feels completely different.
Many estate-sale enthusiasts speak less about bargains and more about connections. One shopper recalled finding London-themed dinnerware and Beefeater Gin branded salt-and-pepper shakers that reflected her own heritage. Another shopper shared photos of a hand-knotted rug that became the perfect finishing piece in her home. The value, they say, is in finding items that are meaningful to them amid treasures that were once meaningful to someone else.
For first-timers, estate sales can feel intimidating, especially shoppers line up even before the doors open. But Hayer said newcomers shouldn’t assume all the best finds disappear immediately.
“Don’t think you have to find it in the first hour,” she said. “People are still finding fabulous things on the last day.”
The best part of an estate sale isn’t necessarily what you’re looking for. More often than not, it’s the piece you never expected to find.
Local estate sale companies to follow
American Auction and Estate Sales
AOK Antiques & Estate Sales
Boomer Tag and Estate Sales
A Full House LLC
Pat Jones Tag Sales
Sales by Nan
Libby Nichols is the creator and founder of Meet DSM, an Instagram account and brand dedicated to showcasing Des Moines. She also writes about local businesses and events for dsm magazine
