Are you like most families, with an attic filled with junk?
Before you throw it out or sell it at a yard sale for pennies, Hold on! I'm going to tell you which old items could land you a small fortune on ebay.
"All right Kim, closet number one!"
Like so many of us, Kathy has closets full of old junk.
"Kathy, these old skates would probably sell well," Kim Poehner says.
But these old metal roller skates could be someone else's treasure, according to eBay expert Kim Poehner.
"You'd probably get 75 to 100 dollars for these. Really?"
Kim moves on to Kathy's utility room, and discovers rocket ship models from the 1960's...complete with boxes.
"These you cant find in the stores anymore...This is what they love."
Kathy's her home is collectors treasure trove, with its 1950's era golf clubs...vintage magazine ads... and a wooden children piano.
"I would guess it could sell for 100 dollars."
Kim should know. She's the owner of a "Quik Drop" franchise.... an eBay reselling shop that sells your stuff on the popular auction website.
Kim shows me some of the top selling items at her store.
"This doll could probably sell for 75 dollars on eBay."
Any old toy with the original box can bring in the bucks, kim says, as well as old plates, figurines, or baskets.
"This Longaberger basket should probably go for 60 dollars."
No collectibles? How about the iPod you just upgraded?
"The iPods sell very well, this one will sell for 85 to 125 dollars.
Emma Zimmerman made money just selling her old handbags at kim's store.
"It's wonderful to be able to bring the stuff in and let them handle it all and just wait for the check," Emma says.
But before you haul everything into an eBay store, here's Kim's top tips on what sells and what doesn't.
WHAT SELLS WELL RIGHT NOW:
--Vintage toys
--Small electronics
--Designer clothes and handbags
--Musical instruments
--New or old cameras
--Sporting goods
--And the current kid's craze, Webkinz.
WHAT DOESN'T SELL WELL?
--Diamond Jewelry: Buyers assume its fake
--Stamps: Too many stamps, too little interest
--Used wedding dresses: What bride wants your old dress?
--Vinyl record albums: Everyone has them, no one needs more
--And beanie babies: They take in very little money anymore (See Vinyl Records).
Still, if you have a fraction of what Kathy has... You too may be.... "Shocked, shocked!"....and pleasantly surprised at what it will bring in.
If you plan to visit an eBay store, realize that you'll pay about 50% of your proceeds for commission and fees.
While that might sound high, it's fair: It's about the same commission that consignment shops charge.
As always, Don't Waste Your Money. I'm John Matarese.
