Richelle Lieberman, also of Something to Sell About, says their sales typically will have a few hundred people in line at the opening. I usually let in about 75 at a time. When the crowds start to thin out, then I let in more. Marian Looney of Encore Estate Services uses a sign up sheet system which is put outside the night before the sale. Everybody's desire is to be the first one in, for whatever reason.
Nobody gets in early.
If you come at 5pm the night before, you can sign up. It takes the pressure off. Otherwise some people will come with trucks or trailers at 4am to be the first one in, or sleep in their cars. It helps the neighborhood to have the sign up sheet. Susan Gardner of Susan Gardner Estate Sales finds the same thing, but she follows a pattern when displaying items.