Stop Donating These 5 Items — They May Be Worth Serious Cash
You don’t have to be sitting on a Picasso to make great money from your old stuff. From unique antiques, vintage cookware, and even that ancient Macintosh, our friends at Everything But the House share their shortlist of surprisingly valuable items that may be hiding in your attic! Image: iStock
When folks are in cleanout mode, they usually fall into two camps: seeing sentimental value in everything and struggling to let go, or going on a decluttering tear and tossing everything straight into the donation pile. In either case, you might be missing out on a significant payout from unassuming items. The experts at Everything But The House help clients uncover those overlooked riches, and we’ve got the scoop on five household items that can hold surprising value.
Everything But The House Finds Your Hidden Treasures
Everything But The House is an estate-sale-meets-auction platform that helps you make the most of those valuable possessions you’re ready to bid farewell to. Their team of expert authenticators can spot treasures in your donation pile and sell them on their auction site, which averages nearly two million bids every month and has over three million registered users.
Plus, EBTH lives up to its name. Its end-to-end concierge selling services will handle everything from taking initial inventory to authentication, pickup, listing, shipping, and getting you paid. Read all the way to the end to learn how the experts can help you make a nice chunk of change!
Kitchenware
Your grandmother’s cookware from the ’50s might not appeal to you, but there are lots of vintage pots, pans, and dishes out there that are earning a sizable payout. Set aside brands like Corningware, Pyrex, and Dansk, especially if they feature unique designs.
Even if your kitchenware collection looks a little worn, many of these vintage items clean up quite nicely. In other words, don’t assume your pieces aren’t valuable just because they are well-used. With a bit of elbow grease, even rusty cast irons can find new life. That old Le Creuset in your cabinet may be worth hundreds! Beyond that, check your cupboards for retro glassware, china, dishware, and utensils; the more unusual the style and unique the detailing, the better!
Retro Tech
You might consider your 1984 Macintosh computer to be a clunky eyesore, but to a Gen Z-er who has never known a world without smartphones, retro tech offers trendy vintage vibes that can rack up hefty bids. Think of items from the dawn of the tech boom, such as first-generation video game consoles from the 1970s, personal computers from the 1980s, and cellphones from the early 1990s.
Tried-and-true items like antique radios and vinyl records are always worth evaluating, but even retro telephones and boomboxes can sell well if they have that quintessential look a buyer might be searching for. (Does anyone still have their clear landline telephone from the early aughts that revealed all the internal wiring and hardware?) Again, rarity and condition are significant factors in retro tech appreciation values, and you get bonus points if your tech item is still in working condition.
Old Tools & Hobbyist Equipment
Old tools are one of the most common collections people encounter when going through a loved one’s estate, and they can also be big sellers. Working tools from yesteryear can yield bidding wars, appealing to the “They don’t make them like they used to” crowd. But just as valuable are tools that are now obsolete (even if they aren’t in the best shape), because of the history they bring to an enthusiast’s collection.
The same applies to hobbyist equipment, where aesthetics often take precedence over functionality. Consider whether items in your collection would make interesting decor pieces or unique additions to a knick-knack shelf. Antique fishing equipment is particularly desirable right now, such as wooden and handmade lures, decoys, reels, and rods … which have us dreaming of a cozy lake house motif!
Vintage Collectibles, Toys, & Games
If old video games, Pokémon cards, and Barbie dolls are cluttering your empty nest, there’s a chance they might be worth a pretty penny. When it comes to vintage collectibles, toys, and games, condition is king. But don’t assume your collection isn’t worth much just because it’s out of the package.
Google can be a helpful starting point when considering whether your items might be worth something, but expert authenticators will be able to spot the diamonds in the rough. While serious collectors are usually the ones to fork over the big bucks for these items, more leisurely buyers are still interested in that board game they stopped making decades ago or that doll they had as a kid.
Vintage Holiday Decor and Tableware
Nothing rings in the season like tradition and nostalgia, and vintage holiday decor delivers just that. If you’ve been hanging onto your aunt’s ceramic Christmas tree or a collection of Christopher Radko glass ornaments, it’s a good time to sell. Retro holiday vibes are definitely in.
Interestingly, the experts at EBTH say that vintage Halloween decorations can be highly desirable because they were often made with paper and intended to be discarded after one season, making them a rare find that folks are willing to pay for today.
Leave it to EBTH, and get ready for your payout.
If you’re looking at your donation pile with fresh eyes, let EBTH take the guesswork (and the stress) out of selling your items — whether you only have a few items or need a complete home cleanout.
Their experts will sort through your items, authenticate unique treasures, and prepare them for sale on their online auction platform … which means you get paid for your secretly valuable items without lifting a finger. What’s not to love?
This article was made possible by Everything But The House. Learn more about their services and schedule a free consultation HERE.
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Katie Leigh Matthews
A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at Moms.com and Islands.com.