Are there other collectibles taking up space in your attic that could put a little extra cash in your pocket?
Remember Beanie Babies?
They were all the rage during the 1990s. Most of them are worth just a few dollars these days; some have sold for as high as $3,000 recently.
Are there other collectibles taking up space in your attic that could put a little extra cash in your pocket? Here are five random items that might be worth more than you think.
1. LEGO Blocks
You read that right. Dust off your old LEGO set because you could be looking at some serious cash.
It makes sense when you consider the folks who have truly dedicated LEGO collectors—maybe they’re just missing one or two pieces from a set they bought years ago. They want to complete their collection.
According to the website BrickLink.com, certain pieces can sell for a few hundred dollars. This red Darth Vader helmet has sold for between $325 and $400 in the last six months. A red antenna with side spokes is selling for $209.
2. Miniature Teddy Bears
A Steiff miniature teddy bear sold on eBay for $350 recently, even though it’s only three inches tall! Another is listed for $600, though it hasn’t sold yet.
These bears are made from mohair and are known for their durability. According to the Steiff website, the German company started making stuffed toys in 1880, but the teddy bear wasn’t born until 1902. The bears became wildly popular because of the American president Theodore Roosevelt, who earned the nickname “Teddy” after a hunting trip.
3. Old VHS Tapes
With DVDs and Netflix, it’s hard to remember an era of VHS tapes and VCRs. But apparently, there’s a pretty hot market for certain movies in this clunky rectangular form.
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In 2011, a VHS copy of “Tales From the Quadead Zone” sold for nearly $700 on eBay, according to TIME. The 1987 flick is a horror story about a zombie clown from hell. Today, the tape could fetch as much as $2,000, documentary director Dan Kinem told Cracked.
If you’ve got some weird movies in a box in your basement, it may be worth your time to drag them out.
4. Ornaments
People love “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
They love it so much that they’re willing to pay upwards of $300 for the “Cousin Eddie’s RV” ornament made by Hallmark in 2009. On eBay, other sellers are hocking these keepsake ornaments for up to $450.
This 1989 classic featuring Chevy Chase follows the Griswold family as they prepare to celebrate Christmas. Cousin Eddie, played by Randy Quaid, shows up with his family in his motor home and hilarious hijinks ensue.
5. Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Time for a visit to grandma’s house.
Collectors are looking for authentic pieces of furniture made in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. This pair of lounge chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames in the 1970s sold last year for $5,625, and this carved walnut desk designed by Wendell Castle in 1969 sold for $183,750.
These items are more valuable, in part, because of Ikea’s rise to popularity. The Swedish furniture maker has been resurrecting pieces from the 1960s and 1970s and selling them at very low prices. The TV show “Mad Men” may also have had something to do with it.
“Ikea really personified this whole idea of ‘this is how your house should look,’” Mark Hill, an antiques and collectibles specialist, told The Street. “A lot more people are going for decorative things that have a story connected to them. They want something to have a soul, a passion, a heart.”
Do you have any of these items? From eBay to Craigslist, there are many online outlets where you can sell clothing, trinkets and knickknacks. Our favorite happens to be EBTH (Everything But The House). Here, people can sell collections of items (like model cars, Disney collectibles, Precious Moments, rare coins and more) or even an entire house-worth of stuff.
Their trained professionals catalogue, photograph and write descriptions of each item you want to sell. Items go up for auction for seven days. Afterwards, they manage payment, pickup, shipping and delivery, so it’s easy as pie for you.
According to EBTH, sale proceeds are typically 3-5 times higher than traditional alternatives. If you’re downsizing or decluttering, we definitely recommend checking them out.
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