⭐ 1 Star
We drove an hour and a half to attend this estate sale and left extremely disappointed. The staff was rude and unprofessional from the start. Prices were sky-high, so we shifted to shopping for our boys—fossils, baseball cards, little things they’d enjoy. At 3:58 pm, just two minutes before closing, they abruptly kicked everyone out mid-shopping. I’ve been to thousands of estate sales across the country and have never once been told to stop shopping right at closing—most companies allow you to finish up, sometimes even an hour past.
On top of that, they demanded booties or no shoes, which we were fine with, but meanwhile their own workers wore dirty shoes inside. The hypocrisy was obvious.
Overall, this was a complete waste of time and gas. We will never include Salvaged by Sonya in our sourcing routine. It’s honestly a good thing we weren’t filming YouTube that day—they would’ve gone viral for all the wrong reasons.
My sister and I used Salvaged by Sonya for our parent's home estate sale. Sonya and her staff were so organized and did a wonderful job of staging the sale, and then restaging each day as items sold. We were very happy with the pre sale prep, the sale itself, and their clean up after. They even set us up with a donation group to haul away the leftover items. Do not hesitate to use them.
When we moved into a much smaller home Salvaged by Sonya ran our moving sale. She did an awesome job. She laid out the details
of the sale and followed her plan. She made sure the customers did not dirty up our house and we got a nice check from the sale. I recommend her if you need someone to run a sale.
Working with Salvaged by Sonya was one of the best decisions I made during an emotional and overwhelming time. From the moment Sonya and her team stepped in, I felt a wave of relief. These women handled my parents’ estate sale with the kind of professionalism, poise, and precision you’d expect from top-tier retail pros—like they trained on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago.
Sonya herself is a powerhouse—responsive, efficient, and incredibly knowledgeable. She didn’t just oversee the sale, she orchestrated it. Every detail, even the ones I hadn’t thought of, was taken care of without me lifting a finger. Her team was organized, respectful, and clearly seasoned in this business. They treated my parents’ belongings with care and dignity, while also knowing how to price, present, and move items like seasoned luxury saleswomen. Let me give kudos to the crew of men who delivered items, did heavy lifting, picked up and dropped off- very professional & warm.
The financial outcome of the sale blew me away—it was a huge success. What could have been a stressful, drawn-out process turned into a smooth, profitable, and respectful transition thanks to Salvaged by Sonya. I can’t recommend them enough. If you want peace of mind and real results, look no further.
I highly recommend Sonya & Co.! They did an amazing job with our sale. Sonya is quite efficient & was very respectful in regards to the house & its contents. She handled everything perfectly & couldn’t have made it any easier on me! I really appreciate their hard work & honesty. Thanks again!
Sonya was rude and condescending. "I'm the owner it's my rules, my way". You need consumers learn some manners. Post some direct signs/notices of what your rules are instead.
Overpriced and rude. They were selling this used MGBW sofa at an estate sale for $5,000. Outrageous. I bought my own sofa (a different model, but quite nice, and made from a similar material) new from MGBW for less than half of that price. I tried to ask the worker why the price was so high, and she ignored me until another customer told her I had been waiting a while to speak with her. Then she talked rudely to me.
The last estate sale put on by SBS was the last one we will ever go to. The vibes were so off-putting. Sonya was rudely bossing her employees around in a very condescending manner. The poor workers are clearly stressed about “starting the tickets” that they are a little weird. When I finally checked out the woman at the table did not say one word to me the entire transaction: not a hello nor a thank you, just silent and grumpy. Estate sale shopping is a nice little weekend activity but SBS is not it!!
Sonya and her crew are the best! They always have the best estate sales and signage. Her prices are great. If you don't like her price the first day, make a bid or take a chance of waiting until the second day. Prices are always lower on the second day, but you may miss out. Sonya's crew is so friendly and helpful. I love attending her sales.
I was at an estate sale sponsored by Sonya. She all but accused me of switching pricing stickers. I’ve talked to other people who have attended your sales. The felt she was very rude. Now I only go to sales not sponsored by Sonya. I still believe pleasant customer service.
We have had Sonya handle two estate sales for my family and have been so pleased with her honesty, organization and overall professionalism. Friends who have visited the sales have all commented on how well run the sales have been. Our family highly recommends Salvaged by Sonya!
Lori C.
Went to an estate sale in Rockford today. I've never been so rudely spoken to by anyone like this before. This woman was screaming at the top of her lungs over a 2 dollar difference. Never will I go to an estate sale run by this rude company again. If I could rate this company ZERO stars I would have.
Where to start. For years I have shopped Sonya's sales. I have always felt they are extremely overpriced and passed on many things. I have however purchased a Beautiful Bedroom set, Easy lift chair as well as many other pieces. As of late I have basically stopped going to them but today it was in the neighborhood so I decided to stop in. They had the same solar lights I already have several of but the price was higher than the price I paid brand new for them. 48.00 for a set of six that I paid 39.00 for. I could use another set but NOT for more than they cost new!!! This is an issue I have run into there before.. They are kinda known for very high pricing (Read reviews) so I mentioned it to them and the woman who takes the money called another woman who came out and I showed her on my phone what these exact lights sell for!! They said they price off of Bay which is where people that live in a fantasy would sell products (Just sayin) So I went in looking around and as I walked out they were trying to get an elderly man to take them quickly.. She said so are you interested in those (Knowing I was and that I was just inside) It felt like they wanted to sell them just so I did not get them. He said I do not know if they work.. So I told him they were wayyyyy over priced he smiled at me and he walked away! Then the woman who I showed the pricing to started to mark them down and I still thought the price was pretty high.. $24 dollars rather than $48 but still BRAND NEW they were only $12 dollars more.. They said they are not allowed to do that so do not tell anyone.. WHAT? Sonya, for your customers sake and your employees you need to allow price adjustments when its proven items are over priced!! I did not like how I was talked to or the attitude of the woman taking payments at the sale.. She gave me some looks and actually acted as if she was doing me a favor! I do not appreciate being spoken to as if Im an idiot! Money is not more important than honest and fair pricing. I like I said am an avid estate sale shopper and I like nice things but some these prices are out of control!! I understand having to make Money and pay your workers but overpricing is taking advantage of an unknowing consumer.
Truly and honestly a joy to work with. Sonya is kind, honest, responsive, flexible, and runs really great estate sales. I’ve been to a lot of sales as a buyer and she is by far one of the best in the game. If I ever were to need her to host one for me, she would be the first person I’d call. Either way, as seller or buyer, you can’t go wrong w Sonya.
2/20/2023. I hired Salvage by Sonya to manage my estate sale. She was a joy to work with. Her crew was extremely polite, thorough and efficient. Only a minimal of small items where left. I arrived to a very empty house, and that was a great feeling. I highly recommended Salvage by Sonja for your next estate sale. :-)
The estate sale I attended today was extremely overpriced. I could have ordered any number of these things at home or the Goodwill at the same price or less. 75 Laser discs for $15.00 a piece? People who attend an estate sale are looking for bargains. Lot's of shouting going on. I finally had to step outside to get away. I probably would have bought a few things if people weren't following me around to make sure I didn't steal them. There was one item in particular that I really wanted to buy. I regret the fact now that I didn't.
As far as the name goes, I didn't see much salvaged stuff in here. I guess I expected an 'American Pickers' kind of store with vintage things that have been shined up, but it looks like its a 70/30 mix of new, 'formal living room' expensive retail seasonal home decor, and the rest is jewelry that looks like its been passed down through a few estate jewelry boxes before ending up here. 'Salvaged from estate sales' is more accurate. Gossiping older ladies behind the desk are just the sprinkles on top.
I recently hired Salvaged by Sonya to conduct an estate sale for my deceased uncle's personal property, including his car. Sonya was professional and efficient. Her pricing was reasonable. She sent me a thorough explanation of the finances that included copies of all the sales slips so I could see what each item sold for. I was extremely pleased with every aspect of the work she and her team did including the amount they raised from the sale. I highly recommend Salvaged by Sonya and would absolutely hire them again.
Sonya & team are very unprofessional and rude at estate sales. It disappoints me to write reviews like this but I’ve experienced this many times at the sales. It seems as though they assume everyone is trying to steal or rip them off. Someone in our group was waiting for the rest of us to finish shopping, so he waited in the garage for us. He was rudely told that he needs to pay for his items, even though he stated he was paying for the rest of the items from the people coming in the group. At the next sale, I witnessed Sonya herself rudely tell an elderly woman that she was supposed to get a price on a purse downstairs, even after the woman told her she did not see anyone downstairs. I understand there are rules/procedures the company follows at the sales but the tone of voice used to enforce these needs a change.
Sonya has always been cordial and pleasant with me at her estate sales and has always given me more than fair deal on items.
I always look forward to seeing her at the sales.
Her staff are all awesome!
Thanks Sonya, see you at next sale!
Not my kind of store in general, but a nice place to kill a couple minutes while waiting for the sushi place to open up. I bought a really nice candle from there, and am thinking about purchasing another one since I like the smell so much. Not sure if that's their main thing, but it's what I would buy more of. Lady at the counter was nice and talkative. My sister had a pleasant experience as well. I'll probably be back for another candle some day.
I really hate to give this such a low rating, but you earned it. This is the second salvaged by Sonya estate sale I went to, and I encountered a very unpleasant lady. I really believe this woman might be Sonya, she was at the sale in my parents subdivision as well. I had to opportunity to talk to other shoppers. There was diversity among the shoppers. There was a lady that bought all that could fit in her car while her husband waited by his truck to see if any needed to go in his truck, but the ash blonde 50 something woman was still not pleasant to her, her husband was very nice and helpful. Unfortunately I know I will be responsible for getting rid of my elder family members things in the near future. If you want the community's dollars you must treat all races, ages, genders and orientations with respect. I will continue to stop at your sales to check customers service skills. If customer service improves, my rating will change.
I went in here and felt the warmth from the sunshine! No, not just from these windows but from the great feeling I felt when walking in and seeing all the assorted springtime items all around as you can see from the pictures I took to share with you! Make sure you carve some time out of your calendar before you step inside! You need as much time that you can have to see all the many pieces of jewelry and all kinds of pins and items that you can totally lose track of time looking at all the detail on them! This shop is one of those gems to add to your list to go for special gifts for loved ones and friends for sure! K@
Salvage by Sonya conducted an estate sale at our home that was recently sold. They met or exceeded our expectations in every way. Sonya and her staff performed professionally and respected our property and possessions that were sold. You can trust Sonya to give an accurate accounting of the items sold. They sold almost everything in a two day sale. The remaining items had little real value. We took three boxes of those items to Goodwill.
I would highly recommend Salvage by Sonya for estate sales
I couldn't be happier with Salvaged by Sonya's sale of my mother's estate after her passing. Her belongings were treated with the utmost care and respect, as well as beautifully displayed for the sale. I really think she would have been pleased.
I love to estate sale but I always avoid Salvage by Sonya's because the prices are too high. Also, I had my sister drive out from Elmhurst for a day of estate sales, and Sonya was very abrupt to my sister for us using one receipt shared with me. We didn't choose one receipt ,her workers did it. I was so embarrassed for my sister and how she was treated. On the other hand, a few years back I was in Sonya's store and my kids of course needed to use the bathroom. Sonya was very generous to offer hers. All I know is that I don't like feeling uncertain about people so best to avoid any confrontation.
This " business" is terrible. Very unorganized and don't respect the neighbors during an estate sale. Talk about ruining a weekend! Kids cant even be outside. Cars driving like maniacs through a neighborhood. Sonya needs to think about the people around her and her sales and not just the money in her pocket. Very disrespectful when talking to her about it. People parking in neighbors yards..... She needs to put up signs to keep people off yards and to slow down with kids around instead of worrying about putting up 100 of her Estate sale signs.
It was a cute place and had some beautiful pieces but it was too expensive and most things were massive to have to get into your home. If there was a piece that you knew you'd keep forever it would be worth it but since most things are chalk painted I really don't know how much longer that's going to be in style. The lady working there was super friendly. I would go back every once in a while to see if there was a piece I could afford and bring it home myself.
Salvaged by Sonya sent her people to another company run estate sale. It was a team who gets there early, first in line, completely ambushing the sale to have first picks. Choosing the best of what the sale has to offer, before people are even able to have a chance. It was a complete whirlwind, and left me utterly disgusted at the spirit of people today. Luckily they came in quick, and went out quick, so I could enjoy the rest of my time at the sale.
Amy and I had a great experience at a Salvaged by Sonya sale recently.
The sale was extremely busy but Sonya took time out to personally talk to us about an antique clock that we were interested in.
It was not an inexpensive purchase and we were on the fence about it.
After learning a little of the history of the clock from Sonya, we decided to purchase it.
Result, everybody's happy, us, Sonya, and the former owner.
Thank you!
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