How to Decide Something is Valuable or Junk

At some point later in life, people decide to get rid of what they have accumulated so they can move out of their homes. They have a charity “back up the truck” to haul away what they want to pitch, not realizing how valuable many of the items are that they are throwing away. Antique dealers will tell you that people over the age of 40 should research the value of things before disposing of them, because the items are old enough to be classified as antiques. Is what you’re about to pitch valuable, or is it junk? Here are some ways to tell.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. If you’re in doubt about how much something might be worth, find an appraiser. They are listed in the Yellow Pages, or you can find one near you by going to the Internet. They are ethically bound to tell you what something is worth. Also, many are connected with consignment or antique stores that will handle the sale of the item, if you choose.
2. Open up a whole world of opportunity to make money by carefully going through things that are stored in your attic. Typically, they were put there many years ago and could be worth much more than you think. Be on special lookout for the following items because they are currently selling for top dollar: children's marbles, political buttons, pieces of lace, bowling shirts, briar pipes, cast iron cookware, phonograph records, electric guitars, wind-up toys, teddy bears, bobbing head dolls, Transformers, 1960s baseball gloves, postcard collections, detective novels, centuries-old catalogs, pottery vases, canning jars, cigar boxes, matchbook covers and metal lunchboxes.
3. If you have access to the Internet, the chances are that eBay can help you find how much something may be worth, in two ways. First, you can see what is currently being offered in your category of interest. Also, if you find the link “Advanced Search,” it will take you to a page where you can enter the name of your item. Chances are that a similar item has been recently sold there and you’ll see its price.

Tips & Warnings

• As a general rule, you can count on an item being of some value if it is more than 15-years-old. Before you dispose of it, or let your grandchildren play with it, see if it has any value. Remember the old axiom…Your junk is another’s treasure.