As an Estate Sale professional, I hear quite often that "my children don't want it" or "my children said get rid of it; just sell it." These are just a couple of statements by Millennials today in regards to their parents or grandparents home contents. It isn't that they are insensitive or ill feeling towards either group, it is only that they have been raised in a society that no longer believes in "if it's not broke, don't fix it" or "I'm going to pass this down." These Millennials have been breed to consume. They consume and replace at whim, usually following the current trends or newest markets. They also do not entertain as generations past, but instead prefer to go out to dine or have drinks.
That said, they do frequent estate sales, but their search is for the "different" and "unique," or the everyday item that is a "super deal." This particular set has influenced the proceeds for the estate sale industry and their clients. Estate sales companies are having to provide explanations for the disappointment clients feel regarding their beautiful family heirlooms, collectibles, furniture, silver and china sets that are not bringing in as much as they had expected.
I came across this article in the Washington Post, "Stuff it: Millennials nix their parents' treasures" by Jura Koncius that provides a look into the situation and discusses further what affects this particular generation is having on our particular market and why.