6 Things to Not Bother Collecting Anymore

6/12/2018

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How do you know which things in your collections have lost value over the years, and which are worth keeping? It can be tough to tell!

Items that your parents (or you) paid a lot of money for back in the day are now worth much, much less than was paid for them. An aging population has caused a heavily flooded market, making "valuables" less so.

As a Professional Organizer and Estate Clearing Specialist, I see a lot of these collectibles in homes. Some are worth keeping, but unfortunately, most are not.

Want to know what is worthless and how to tell the difference? Read On.

Loss in Value: Figurines and Commemorative Plates

Many American households have some sort of collectible figurines or commemorative plates displayed or stored somewhere. While values for these items once were high, that isn’t the case any longer. Figurines and commemorative plates were often mass-produced and released slowly as “limited editions”, giving the illusion of scarcity.
Well-known brands that have lost value:
(Note: the link goes to "sold" prices on Ebay)

Toys: not worth what you think

Although there is sentimental value to toys, mass production and wear + tear often leads to lowered values. In addition, a “craze” can inflate values for a period, but often decreases after the hype dies down. For example, most Beanie Babies sell on Ebay for $5 or less, if they sell at all.
Once valuable, now not-so-much items:

China patterns, glassware, and silver plate items: Its a flooded market

A generation or two ago, newly married couples loved purchasing china patterns, crystal, and silverplate items. Modern couples today are of the “Ikea generations”: they don’t want and don’t use this stuff.

So as the population ages, the market has become flooded with people trying to cash in on the value of these things. Don’t get your hopes up: there is very little value in most of the items in your parents’ china cabinet.
Common brands that have lost significant value:

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How to tell what is valuable anymore

Google is a good start to determine the value of an item, but don’t expect to sell your item for retail. Once you've done some research, it’s easy to find comparable values on Ebay. But it is VERY important that you look at the completed sales there ( click on “show only sold items”: the sold prices are listed in green). This shows what things actually sold for, not what they were listed for, which is usually retail price or higher.

Forbes. com gives this advice: "The most important advice we can give, and consequently the most difficult to digest, is to absolutely forget what the purchaser paid and to instead look at these possessions from the perspective of a third party — someone who knows nothing about your history or shares one shred of your taste. Once you remove the expectations of financial reimbursement and sentiment, it will be far easier to process the estate in an orderly and stress-free manner.”

Is your stuff worth anything?

When reviewing your collections and family “heirlooms”, do your research before selling. Because values have dropped for many collectibles over the years, you may be holding onto things that just aren’t worth it anymore.

Professional Disclaimer: The ideas, recommendations, and opinions on this website, blog, and made in person are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered legal, financial, or medical advice. I am not an attorney, doctor, or licensed financial professional. Sage Organizing Co., LLC is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content of this website, blog, or in-person discussions. If you need specific legal, financial, or medical advice, consult a professional in your area.

Related Articles:
5 Steps to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter
With Declutter + Downsize Sentimental Items Game Plan
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With Downsizing Your Home Emotional Roadmap

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