I go to estate sales virtually every weekend if they are out there. It is not always as glamorous as it seems and I hit tons of duds before I hit a good one. I pay my dues. Today I only hit DUDS.
Okay, I still found a couple of things. But nothing amazing.

I got two canisters of unopened talcum powder. I like that the tins are metal and that they have good graphics. I have been collecting old tins to cut apart and use in a future project. I like the pink color and they were only a quarter apiece. The box is an empty stationary box that was in a "Free" box. Who doesn't smile when they hear the word "Cheerio"? There are also cute little phrases by the flowers...get well, best wishes etc. That is all I got. 5 estate sales and a couple of hours of my time.
Jodi from Simply This, That and the Other left me a comment yesterday about sharing my tips and tricks of the trade for estate sales as she usually only ventures to garage sales. Here is what I have learned in my ten plus years of estate sale haunting.
I hit estate sales because I like old, vintage stuff. I don't hit garage sales usually unless the sign on the telephone pole is written in old person handwriting. An estate sale is when a person has passed away or has gone to a retirement home etc. and they are selling the ESTATE. It is my pet peeve when a garage sale is advertised as an estate sale...I am usually wasting my time.
I wake up and get out the newspaper and figure out my route. I circle all the good sales and note their starting times. Here in Portland, Oregon we also have a website with estate sales so I usually start checking that out on Wed or Thurs. Sometimes there are pictures of the sales on the website and I can figure out if what they are selling looks appealing to me. If there is a REALLY good sale advertised I may run by early and see if there is a LIST. In Portland, alot of the sales run by companies have lists and they let you in according to your number on the list. Sometimes they will only let the first 25 in and if you are number 26 you have to endure an agonizing wait while the people in the door are already getting the good stuff. It can be very competitive!!!
I usually get in the car after dropping my kids at school and start out.I really like to use a GPS. Even tho I have lived in Portland for 20 plus years, I still get lost. This makes my route quicker and I don't have to stop to follow a map. I start out early...the early bird gets the worm!

This is what I always have in my car to bring to a sale with me.
I have two baskets in the trunk of my car. I bring one in. If I fill it up and go to a second sale I don't bother unloading the first basket in my car...I take the second. Time is always of the essence at sales.
Both baskets have zippered pockets. I bring a pen, tape measure, sold stickers (if I buy a piece of furniture or something...although I rarely use them) and a flashlight. I use the flashlight alot in old dingy basements....you never know what has been tucked away. Other shoppers always comment on how clever I am to bring a flashlight! I also have gloves if I have to wait in line outside on a nippy morning.
I usually make a quick tour of the house and then come back and poke thru whatever looked interesting. Sometimes I can be in an out of a sale in 5 minutes and sometimes I will be there for three hours sorting thru stuff. It just depends on what is there to look at.
If you see me at a sale I am chatty while waiting for the sale to open. Once I am thru the door I have put on my "estate sale blinders" and I can only focus on all the goodies. My friends make fun of me because I almost lose the ability to speak as I am so intent on the hunt.
In the estate sale world I hit A TON of duds. Dud, Dud, Dud. But then you hit a good one and it is worth it. I am literally giddy with excitement and almost get a high like a "runner's high". I know, I know, it is a sad life I lead.
So I guess my biggest tip would be to persevere on the hunt as well as starting out early. Sunday is often 1/2 price day on items under $50 and sometimes you can get good bargains then as well. Alot of it really just boils down to pure luck too.
And luck was not with me today....