I have always loved looking for personal treasures at local thrift stores or garage sales for my own use or for family members. After I was given something that I could not use and I sold it ebay at a good profit, I was hooked! Then I started shopping not just for myself and family but for profit too. Over the past approximately 8 years now, I have been selling on ebay for extra cash to pay on bills or take vacations with. What a fun adventure it has been learning what sells well and what doesn’t!
Below I will list many of the favorite things I look for while thrifting or garage saling that I know will sell well. Obviously, the market on eBay fluctuates during holidays and garage sale season and also the selling price can depend greatly on condition and supply & demand already on ebay. Keep your shipping reasonable so potential buyers will bid on yours. My motto is to buy cheap, in case it doesn’t sell, I am not losing out much.
1. Remington Tight Curls – this is an electric curler set that is no longer made and apparently big in use with the Pageant scene. The curlers are blue and they originally come with white butterfly-style clips that many times are missing. I buy the sets for $6.00 or less and sell them for about $70.00.
2. Popiel Steam Curlers – this is another set no longer made but is much older. In fact. I used to own one myself in the late 1970’s. Most electric curler sets now are dry electric and not steam, which make this one sought after. This set is pink. I buy in the $6.00 range and sell for $70.00.
3. Lady Schick Beautifying Mist Hot Curlers – this curler set comes in a clear square case and depending on the year, it may come in a gold base or white base. Sells in the $35. to $70 range.
4. Vintage Spirograph set #401 – from the 1960’s. If this set is complete, it will sell for $30 – $60.
5. Royal typewriter with glass-cover keys – Yes, I buy the typewriters for the keys only! It has been through trial and error that I have devised a way to remove the glass keys without damaging the glass covers. Bidders buy these to use in craft jewelry projects. Who cares what they use them for as long as they buy them, right? I sell sets of these keys for $35. to $50.
6. Snoopy flags/banners – most the banners I have seen come in holiday themes. I am sure it’s the older ones that sell the best. Collectors will pay up to $20.00
7. Charlie Brown’s What We Have Learned VHS – This cartoon with Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang teaches children about World War 1 & 2. okay, I have only sold one of these and it was intuition that made me buy it for 75¢. I ended up selling it for $50.00! I didn’t know it was rare but I’m glad it was!
8. Vera Bradley Purses & Bags – When I first saw these, I thought they were ugly, ya know, old lady ugly! But they have grown on me over the years and I have probably sold a 3 or 4 dozen Vera Bradley purses and other accessories. The average purse, I will buy for $5.00 and sell for $25-$30. The most I ever paid was a large tote bag for $50. but I sold it for over $100!
9. Enid Collins Purses & Bags – again this falls into the old lady ugly category, in my book, but they are sought after even if they have minor damage,. I have sold about 6 of these and each time I bought for $2.00 or less and sold in the $50. to $70. range.
10. Munsters Picnic Board Game – if I EVER find another one of these, it will be a miracle! I found this at my local Goodwill thrift store on the top shelf. All their games are $1.50. The box was in sad shape as well as the tokens of Herman, Lily, Grandpa and Eddie but all the pieces were there. It was complete. Now, I know it looked like a collectible but I also know collectors want mint condition items. I put the game back on the shelf. Then I thought to myself, come on….it’s only $1.50! What have you got to lose to try it? So I picked it back up and bought it! Believe it or not, I sold that game on ebay for over $482.00!!!! I want to find another one!
11. Sunbeam Automatic Radiant Toaster T-20 – if I find these, they usually need cleaning. I super clean and shine them and test them out fully. I have sold these for up to $40.
12. Pyrex Blue Flame Coffee Pots – make sure they are complete with the basket. These will sell for up to $25.00.
13. Jarts Lawn Game – these no longer are sold in stores and were outlawed due to injuries. They are illegal to sell on ebay but can be sold on Craigslist or IOffer for up to $80. depending brand, condition, and if the rings are still part of the set.
14. Vintage Trapper Keepers – the old ones from the 1980’s whether plain in color or picture themed will sell for $10. to $30.
15. Starbucks Mugs – look for the unusual ones and ones with states on them. You can usually find mugs for 50¢ and sell unique ones for $10. to $15. and some even higher!
