The most important words in your original post are "FAMILY RUN"estate sale. When I retired from the real business world I ran a very successful antique shop and you have to have eyes in the back of your head when dealing with the public.
For anyone planning on running their own estate sale there are suggestions on how to do it safely all over the internet. From experience I can tell you there should be no more than 10 people in the sales area at the same time. No shopping or big bags, only small purses. Stickers with almost impossible to remove adhesive and lastly, but most importantly, the sewing machine handles should have been tied through together one over the other so that they could not be removed. If a buyer wanted to see how the drawers worked a helper in the room could have assisted. One last thing, all small items of jewellery etc., should be displayed on a separate area preferably in a glass china closet or similar, with two people watching and assisting.
I am truly sorry for the family of this lady, this is a rotten way to find out that there are people who will steal from you.
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