I stopped by a residential Estate sale yesterday arriving about 10 minutes before it opened. Photos of items for sale were posted on line. On one shelf in the basement of the home was a Michigan Bell porcelain flange sign. I do not collect signs but do own one (thanks to help from Sargeguy). Thought this might be the chance for another.
They let us inside 10 at a time and I didn't make the first cut. Finally when inside I made a bee-line for the shelf in the basement. Gone. I saw a woman standing in the line to pay with the sign tucked under her arm. I asked her if she would mine me looking at it and asked how much they had asked. No problem she said...$15. It was in very nice condition. FIFTEEN bucks! I offered her an opportunity to profit before she even paid. No dice. After I left and walked back to my car I pulled up along side the woman and her companion to try again. I offered her many times what she paid. No, not for sale. She said she drove quite a ways for that sign. Better luck next time.
I had sent Fabius a photo of the sign (posted here) for his evaluation. His reply came after I had attended the sale but he estimated $100 to $150 depending on the day (on eBay). So that woman got a great deal and for me it was the one that got away.
~Dennis
That kind of situation is the major reason I quit going to estate sales. A lot of effort in exchange for a very small chance that you will come home with what you came there for.