Estate Sale Rules: 5 Weird Items You Can’t Sell at an Estate Sale

Estate sales are a fantastic way to make some quick money off of rare or antique items.

In fact, the average estate sale brings in between $7,000 and $15,000 according to Consumer’s Digest.

However, selling certain things isn’t as cut-and-dry as your basic transaction. In fact, some estate sale rules prohibit the sale of certain items altogether.

Make some green and stay out of trouble by not selling these five items.

1. Alcohol

The sale of liquor, spirits, or alcoholic beverages of any kind is strictly regulated. In order to sell alcohol, an individual must have a number of licenses.

These include federal basic permits, local licenses, and state licenses.

While it isn’t downright impossible to sell alcohol at an estate sale, it’s far more trouble than it’s worth. So before you sell that decanter of spirits, ask yourself if it’s worth the bureaucracy.

There’s a good chance you’ll spend more in licenses and fees than you’ll make selling the beverage itself.

2. Firearms

Estate sale guns make seem like a surefire (see what we did there?) way to make some fast cash, especially if they’re older antique models. But it isn’t that simple.

Like selling liquor, the sale of firearms requires a number of state and federal licenses and permits that are difficult and expensive to get.

There are some loopholes, however. Under federal law, it’s possible to sell firearms during an auction with the help of a specialist, such as those at Abbeys Auctions. But only in an estate-type setting and not a consignment situation.

3. Prescription Medications

Many estate sales occur when an elderly individual has passed on. In their later years, the estate’s owner likely required the use of prescription medications.

So what happens when it comes time to sell off their belongings?

Ditch the medicines first. Selling prescription medications is illegal and comes with some heavy fines and penalties, including jail time. Aside from legal obligations, expired prescription meds may come with some dangerous and crazy side effects.

Instead, check your state’s reuse and recycle laws. There should be a simple, quick and legal way to turn in your loved one’s medications in at a hospital or police department.

4. Tobacco Products

You know the drill by now: An individual can’t sell tobacco without first obtaining a few key permits.

But aside from the legal nature of the sale, it seems strange to sell tobacco.

Tobacco has a shelf life and gets stale once it’s gone bad. No one in their right mind is going to buy stale, expired tobacco products.

With that said, the sale of tobacco smoking apparatuses is legal. So feel free to sell any pipes.

5. Narcotics

We don’t think we need to tell you why selling drugs at an estate sale is a bad idea.

Don’t. Just don’t.

Follow Estate Sale Rules: Avoid These Five Items

If you’re having an estate sale, you’ll want to make sure to follow federal and local estate sale rules. Some common items like old liquor or firearms may seem like high-ticket items, but they may be illegal to sell.

And above all else, use common sense. If it seems like an item may be illegal to sell, check with your state laws or a local estate sale specialist.

Once the sale is over and you’re ready to take some keepsakes for yourself, be sure to check out these weird moving hacks to make packing easier.

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