I've attended estate sales from a lot of the major estate sale companies throughout San Diego,…read moreOrange County, and Los Angeles, and Integrity First Sales has become my favorite.
As a shopper, it's easy to see why their sales stand out: warm welcomes, genuine enthusiasm for each sale, fair pricing, beautiful staging, great photography and social media, and a fun environment that makes people want to come back.
I've been on both sides of the estate sale process -- as a shopper, and also helping deal with a family estate -- and I can honestly say I would recommend them both to families looking for someone trustworthy to handle a sale and shoppers looking for beautiful, interesting finds.
I've been going to their sales for over a year now, probably at least a dozen of them, and I've spent many thousands of dollars there on everything from antiques and collectibles to things I just needed around the house.
Diana and Teri are sisters and co-owners, and their family is involved too -- their mom Judith and Teri's daughter Antonia. It really does feel like a family-run business in the best way. They are warm, hardworking, organized, honest, and very good at what they do.
Their pricing is fair, and the environment is fun to shop. They do price some of the more unique or high-quality items on the higher side at first, but that makes sense to me. Those pieces deserve a chance to bring a strong price, especially on day one, and like most estate sales, pricing may be adjusted later if something hasn't sold.
One of the things I love most is that they seem to care about the story behind the home. When it makes sense, they honor the person who lived there and collected those things over a lifetime. That part really matters to me.
Their sales can get very busy, and I've personally watched them deal with big crowds, pressure, and people who are not always behaving well. They still manage to keep things moving, keep it fair, and keep the mood fun. Honestly, "grace under pressure" is the phrase that comes to mind because that is how they all are.
I especially want to mention Antonia because I've seen her at the jewelry counter many times, and that is probably one of the most intense spots at any estate sale. People can get pushy and competitive around jewelry and valuables. I've always seen her be firm, organized, fair, and kind, even when customers were clearly out of line. There is a difference between being rude and holding boundaries in a chaotic environment.
Another thing worth mentioning is that they have a great reputation. I hear good things about them not just from shoppers, but even from people who work in the estate sale world, which says a lot.
Whether you are hiring someone to run a sale or just shopping their sales, I think Integrity First Sales is one of the best. They have earned my trust, my repeat business, and my enthusiastic recommendation.