MUSINGS ON ESTATE SALES

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August 24, 2015

ALWAYS A SURPRISE

We had an Estate Sale in SaddleBrooke, AZ last week. It was 110 degrees, a record-breaking temperature for that day. Yes, it’s often a dry heat (which seems to make it sound less intense for those who have never experienced it) and there is the occasional golfer unafraid of heat stroke swinging away on the greens while his caddy hides under the shade of the golf cart canopy with a tiny battery operated gadget of fan and water bottle spritzing himself in hopes of cooling down for oh, about 3 seconds.  I hoped the intense heat wouldn’t keep customers away spending their weekend chilling out in a local movie theater, but I didn’t have my hopes up.

Well, shame on me for being a party pooper. The lovely SaddleBrooke community, as well as those from all over Tucson, came and shopped. All day. During full price and reduced prices. For little stuff and big stuff. Willing to tackle the intense heat in hopes of getting the potted plant or the leaf blower or the set of Pyrex on the back patio that they saw in the photos online, our customers braved the horrid temperature to get that terrific bargain. In and out of the air-conditioned house they went, schlepping furniture with florid faces while sweat dripped into their eyes and our associates handed them cold water and wet-wipes. And speaking of our associates, they were incredible (as always), helping to load vehicles as if in the heat of battle so the purchases in the truck bed wouldn’t be there so long as to get damaged. By the 110 degree heat. The dry heat.

It was early afternoon when a fire truck pulled up right out front of the Estate Sale house. The front door was opened to allow some customers into the luxurious coolness. I became concerned when someone said they smelled smoke and I thought perhaps the intense heat set something on fire on the property, or one of our departing customers succumbed to heat stroke or some other horrible reason first responders respond. Next thing I know, 5 firefighters from the Golder Ranch Fire Department come in, looking around determinedly, speaking with Kristin, one of our associates. As I was getting up to find out what the problem was, nervously anticipating the worst, Kristin comes over and tells me “The guys are shopping!”  It seems they saw one of our signs and as they weren’t on their way to an emergency, decided to stop by and see what we had for sale. In their big, red fire truck. On the hottest day of the year. One o’clock in the afternoon, near the hottest time of the day. Then again, it’s a dry heat and they’re used to that. And, they put themselves on our email list, always a promising sign of a continuing relationship. Of course, all our other customers took note of the “guys” shopping and I thought that it gave us a sort of cache - “Arizona Estate Sales & Liquidations – Where First Responders Shop First!”

A final note regarding the Golder Ranch Fire Department. About a month ago, we had another Estate Sale, this time in Oro Valley.  Although the day was clear and sunny, around 3:30pm it began to storm and flood. A customer, departing with his purchases, slipped on the rain soaked driveway, falling and hitting his head on the pavement. His head was bleeding profusely. After calling 911 and within 2 or 3 minutes, the Golder Ranch Fire Department EMTs were there and performing triage, taking the man to the hospital within minutes of the accident. His injury warranted numerous staples in his head, but luckily no concussion or worse. I’m sure that’s due to the quick response of the Golder Ranch Fire Department. Thanks guys!

 

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