Time For A Garage Sale: Collector’s Items That Aren’t Worth Keeping
Collecting often begins out of love. It's exciting to acquire a new baseball card or win the bid on a rare toy. But sometimes, we hold onto collections because we think they might hold value that could pay off later. Sadly, unless it's something really rare, that's not the case with the items on this list. Keep reading to help you decide if it's time to clean out your collection.
Beanie Babies
Ty Beanie Babies are an item on this list that's hard not to collect. Once you acquire one Beanie Baby, you're compelled to find more. Kids enjoy the toys for what sets them apart from the rest -- the 'bean' stuffing rather than the typical fluff you find in plush toys.
However, in 1995, adults began collecting Beanie Babies as a financial investment, seeing the potential for high resale value. That year, the toys that were quickly flipped on eBay sold for ten times the original purchase price. But once the fad died down, so did their worth.
The Majority Of Vinyl Records
Think vinyl records are a thing of the past? Wrong. Vinyl records are still being made today during what some are calling a "vinyl revival." In 2017, Sony Entertainment announced that it would begin pressing vinyl records again, and interest in vinyl has been increasing in the years since.
With so much vinyl in the marketplace, most don't hold any true value. It's only the rare and select vintage records that will be worth anything. It's best to do your research instead of holding onto false hope that your crate of records is worth serious cash.
Norman Rockwell Collector Plates
Norman Rockwell is one of the greatest painters and illustrators in American history. His work graces the covers of American classics including Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. His cover illustrations for The Saturday Evening Post delighted readers for almost five decades.
However, collector plates featuring Norman Rockwell illustrations should be acquired for enjoyment, not for investment. Antique Trader values the collector plates at $10 each, declining from its previous estimated value of $50-75.
Pez Dispensers
Some toys are worth a fortune, and others aren't. Pez dispensers are both a toy and an accessory for candy. Kids love finding their favorite cartoon characters configured into a candy dispenser. Some people even hold onto them, collecting them into adulthood.
Unless you have a grand collection of Pez dispensers, each item only goes for a buck or two. Even the limited edition Elvis Presley Pez dispenser collection is valued at a low $9.20.
Pandora Charms
First appearing in the early to mid-2000s, Pandora necklaces and bracelets became a hot trend. The pieces are designed to be layered and paired with each other, featuring fun elements of sparkle and style. Once buyers saw their favorite pieces being discontinued, their value went up.
However, this is only for a few rare charms that were discontinued. Collecting all Pandora Charms as an investment isn't worth the while.
Newer Star Wars Toys
Rare Star Wars toys from the 1970s have the potential to boost your bank account. Obscure Star Wars figurines like the "Yak Face," also known as "Joe Camel" can be worth thousands of dollars if you find the right buyer. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for modern Star Wars toys.
You could stockpile baby Yodas and see what happens. But experts have cautioned that action figures and toys from the '90s and '00s won't hold value, so long as they're mass-produced.
Vintage Band T-Shirts
When it comes to vintage band shirts, there are two categories and only one will make you money. Unfortunately, even if your Eagles t-shirt is in mint condition and from four decades ago, a buyer isn't going to pay much for it. Even a vintage rare Queen tour shirt from 1978 is only listed at $9.49 on eBay.
The exception here is vintage band t-shirts that are extremely rare and hold significant meaning, but even then, you've got to find a high-paying buyer. Your average concert tour t-shirt from the '70s will make you less than the cost of shipping.
Royal Family Memorabilia
One of the most famous families on the planet, the British royal family is beloved by the people of the Commonwealth and beyond. Exciting events like royal weddings, births, and jubilees are all a reason for celebration.
With the events come plenty of memorabilia; the faces of the newlyweds plastered on mugs and buttons-- even custom dolls. This might be something you'd want to keep for memory's sake, but stocking up on royal family memorabilia won't send your kid to college. Mass-produced items like this don't have the same allure and value as something that is rare and made in small quantities.
New Comic Books
Purchasing a pile of new comic books is not a wise investment. These collectibles lose their value as soon as you leave the store. Even if you keep the comics in mint condition, without any special significance, no fan will seek it out and pay more money for it later.
On the other hand, comic books from the 1930s-'50s, when our favorite superheroes debuted, can pay for a mansion-- Batman's first appearance in Detective Comics banked a record $2.8 million. But the average comic won't get you far.
Stamps
Collecting stamps can be tricky and misleading. Although someone might "value" your stamp collection at a decent number, as it turns out, buyers aren't interested. Select older stamps that are in perfect condition have the potential to hold value, but it's a needle in a haystack.
Stamps are mass-produced, with little chance of having any true value as a reason to hold onto them. This is hard news to take for older generations who were once informed to take good care of stamp collections, as they'd be worth money one day.
Pogs
If you had a family member who grew up in the '90s, it's likely they went through a Pog phase, and there are some still hiding around the house. For many, the pieces were more fun to collect and enjoy then actually playing the Pog game (yes, there is a game associated with them).
And the same can be said about collecting them for monetary value -- keep them to enjoy them, not to sell. Most collections will go for $10 if someone actually offers to buy them, and individual Pogs go for $1, which is less than the cost of shipping.
Antique Silverware
It's a time-honored tradition to pass along silverware and precious China from one generation to the next as a family heirloom. Silver is often presented as a housewarming gift or to a newlywed couple.
Silver that holds special meaning should be held onto. If you try to sell vintage silver on eBay or other sites you'll be disappointed to see how many other listings there are for antique sets, driving down the value.
Porcelain Dolls
Porcelain and ceramic dolls are popular among collectors, who may view them as pleasant childhood memories. Like this photo, doll collectors go so far as to designate a full room in the house to display their dolls, as they take up more room than other collectibles.
If the goal is to make money, however, that room is better used as a rental. Aside from select rare dolls, these porcelain reminders of the past aren't worth much more than $10.
Model Train Sets
There are dozens of hobby websites and clubs around the world dedicated to model train sets, especially the beloved Lionel collections. What when it comes to resale value, however, train sets aren't worth investing in. Some collectors hold onto false hope while seeing a rare item sell for a decent payout, like the Howard Gondola listed on eBay for $1,175.
But this isn't typically the case. The market is flooded with hundreds of listings of entire vintage model train sets in good condition only selling for around $100.
Barbie Dolls
Barbie dolls first hit the market in 1959. Fifty years later, the doll is still one of the most popular toys and a cultural icon. If you happen to have your hands on a mint condition, original Barbie from 1959, you might have $25,000 to add to your bank account. If not, it's likely your Barbie collection won't earn you much.
With so many mass-produced Barbies, finding the one you're looking for isn't difficult, which lowers the value. The majority of the Barbies listed for sale on eBay sell for $10-20 in the box.
Vintage Playboy Magazines
Whether you've just bought Playboy magazine "for the articles" or other reasons, the iconic magazine has quite a history. First printed in 1953, Playboy has many memorable issues, including the ones with cover girls like Donna Michelle, Ursula Andress, and Darine Stern.
First editions and copies that were printed before 1970 may be worth something. Otherwise, don't count on it. The issues were mass-produced and will do more good displayed on your bookshelf than to pad your bank account.
Precious Moments
For years, Precious Moments figurines have been collected, gifted, and proudly displayed in homes across America. Founded in 1978, the porcelain figurines centered around an angel named Timmy.
Today there are over a dozen Precious Moments collections and though still popular, aren't a promising investment. The collectibles are mass-produced with hundreds posted to eBay. In the case of these figurines, nostalgia and sweetness are all they have to offer.
Baseball Cards
Baseball cards offer a boatload of childhood nostalgia for many of us. There's something satisfying about being able to collect and hold a piece of America's favorite pastime in your hands. If they hold special meaning to you, it's best that you keep them. They won't fatten your wallet if you choose to sell them anyway.
Even a baseball card featuring a star player, like a 1989 Ken Griffey Jr., is only worth around $100. Home run hitter Mark McGwire's card is valued at $10, which won't even fill your gas tank.
Funko Figurines
Created in 1998, Funko figurines were designed to be collected. Their cuteness draws in collectors, as they can find a plethora of movie characters and cartoons turned into figurines that are perfectly sized to sit on a desk or shelf.
Currently, collectors aren't able to place an estimated value on Funko figurines, as it's too soon to tell. Without any history or insight, it might not be wise to spend your cash on these collectibles just yet.
Hummel Figurines
Hummel figurines gained popularity during World War II, with American GI's stationed in West Germany sending them home. Eventually, they became a popular souvenir, with their price increasing drastically in the 1970s. Yet, not today.
According to Mike Rivkin, the owner of Antique Galleries of Palm Springs, "Traditional collectibles like Hummel sites are virtually unsellable today. We direct people looking to sell such items to nearby thrift shops. There's simply no market." So, better leave that Hummel laying around on your shelf.
