What NOT to Toss: The Top 25 Items That Commonly Have Resale Value

Buckeye Downsizing Services
1 day ago
6 min read

We get it. When you're standing in the middle of a parent's home, or your own after decades of living there, the sheer amount of stuff can feel overwhelming. Your first instinct might be to grab some trash bags and start tossing things into the dumpster just to make progress.

But here's the thing: that "junk" sitting in the back of the closet, the garage, or Grandma's china cabinet? It might actually be worth real money.

At Buckeye Downsizing Services, we've seen families accidentally throw away hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars because they didn't realize what they had. That vintage brooch? Could be worth $200. Those old LEGO sets in the attic? Collectors are paying premium prices for them.

Before you toss anything, take a breath and scan this list. You might be surprised at what's hiding in plain sight.

Jewelry: The Hidden Goldmine (Literally)

Let's start with the category that catches families off guard the most: jewelry. And no, we're not just talking about the obviously expensive pieces locked away in a safe.

1. Gold Jewelry Even broken chains, single earrings, and outdated styles have value. Gold is sold by weight, so that tangled mess in the jewelry box could add up quickly. Look for stamps like 10K, 14K, 18K, or 24K.

2. Sterling Silver Flatware, serving pieces, candlesticks, and jewelry marked "925" or "Sterling" hold solid resale value. Don't let the tarnish fool you, it cleans up beautifully.

3. Costume Jewelry Here's where people really miss out. Signed pieces from brands like Trifari, Weiss, Eisenberg, and Miriam Haskell can sell for $50 to $500 or more. Even unsigned vintage costume jewelry with rhinestones or unique designs attracts serious collectors.

4. Designer Jewelry Pieces from Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, Cartier, or even department store brands like Brighton maintain strong resale markets. Keep the boxes if you have them, they add value.

Assorted vintage costume jewelry, gold and sterling silver pieces with designer brooches, ideal for estate resale value

Clothing & Accessories: More Than Just Fabric

Fashion resale is booming, and it's not limited to couture gowns.

5. Designer Handbags Louis Vuitton, Coach, Chanel, Gucci, and Dooney & Bourke bags (especially vintage styles) consistently fetch top dollar. Even bags with minor wear can sell for hundreds.

6. Vintage Clothing Mid-century dresses, 70s leather jackets, band t-shirts, and anything with original tags intact? Gold. Vintage is hot right now, and collectors pay premium prices for authentic pieces.

7. Designer Shoes Ferragamo, Manolo Blahnik, and even gently worn Nike sneakers have active resale markets. Limited edition athletic shoes can be worth more than you'd ever guess.

8. Sports Jerseys Authentic jerseys, especially vintage ones or those with player signatures, can sell for $50 to several hundred dollars depending on the team and era.

Electronics & Technology: Old Doesn't Mean Worthless

That box of "outdated" electronics in the basement? Don't touch it until you've checked values.

9. Vintage Record Players & Turntables The vinyl revival is real. Quality turntables from brands like Technics, Pioneer, and Dual regularly sell for $100 to $500+.

10. Film Cameras Leica, Canon AE-1, Nikon FM, film photography is experiencing a renaissance, and these cameras are in demand.

11. VCRs and VHS Tapes Yes, really. Working VCRs sell quickly, and certain VHS tapes (Disney Black Diamond editions, horror films, obscure titles) can fetch $50 or more.

12. Vintage Video Games & Consoles Original Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Atari: complete with boxes and manuals, these systems command serious collector prices.

Vintage electronics including a turntable, film camera, and VHS tapes, showcasing valuable old technology for resale

Collectibles & Toys: Nostalgia Pays

The things we played with as kids? They're worth real money now.

13. LEGO Sets Especially retired sets. The LEGO resale market is massive: some vintage sets sell for thousands of dollars. Even loose bricks have value when sold in bulk.

14. Vintage Toys & Action Figures Star Wars, G.I. Joe, Barbie, Hot Wheels, American Girl Dolls, Marvel figures: if they're from the 70s, 80s, or 90s and in decent condition, collectors want them.

15. Baseball Cards & Sports Memorabilia Don't assume those old cards are worthless. Rare cards sell for thousands, and even common vintage cards have steady markets. Autographed items, ticket stubs, and vintage team merchandise also hold value.

16. Board Games Complete vintage board games: especially ones from the 50s through 80s: sell for $30 to $100+. Condition matters, so check for all the pieces.

Home & Décor: The Everyday Items That Surprise People

Some of the most valuable items aren't hidden away: they're sitting right on the shelves.

17. Pyrex & Vintage Glassware Those colorful mixing bowls and casserole dishes from the 60s and 70s? Pyrex collectors are passionate, and certain patterns (like Pink Gooseberry or Lucky in Love) sell for over $100 per piece.

18. Mid-Century Modern Furniture Clean lines, tapered legs, Danish design: if it looks like something from Mad Men, it's probably worth researching. Brands like Herman Miller, Knoll, and Heywood-Wakefield command premium prices.

19. Mid-century modern lighting Table lamps, swag lamps, atomic starburst fixtures, and iconic designs from the 50s–70s (think brass, teak, or smoked glass) are in demand. If you’ve got Mid-century modern lighting tucked in a basement box, it’s absolutely worth a second look before donating.

20. Vintage Rugs Persian, Turkish, and handmade rugs: even those with some wear: can sell for hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on size, age, and condition.

21. Antique Picture Frames Ornate gilt frames, especially larger ones, are sought after by artists and decorators. Don't toss the frame just because you don't want the print inside.

22. Vintage Hardware & Cabinet Knobs Crystal doorknobs, brass fixtures, and decorative hardware from older homes have active markets. Architectural salvage is a real thing.

Collectible LEGO bricks, vintage action figures, baseball cards, and classic board games with strong resale potential

Miscellaneous Treasures

A few more categories that consistently surprise families:

22. Vintage advertising signs Old gas & oil signs, soda advertising, beer trays, shop signs, and other vintage advertising signs can bring in strong prices—especially if they’re original, colorful, and in decent condition (even with some wear). If you’re sorting a garage, basement, or old workshop, keep an eye out for these.

23. Sterling silver holloware Beyond flatware, don’t overlook sterling silver holloware like tea sets, coffee services, trays, bowls, pitchers, and candlesticks. Pieces marked “Sterling” or “925” can have both scrap value and collector value (brand, pattern, and craftsmanship can make a big difference).

24. Musical Instruments Guitars (especially Fender, Gibson, Martin), brass instruments, and even student-quality violins hold value. Condition matters, but even instruments needing repair can sell.

25. Books First editions, signed copies, vintage children's books, and complete series sets can be valuable. Textbooks and technical manuals from certain fields also resell well.

26. Exercise Equipment Quality treadmills, stationary bikes, and weight sets sell quickly in the secondary market. People are always looking for deals on home gym equipment.

27. Bikes Vintage Schwinn, quality mountain bikes, and even basic adult bikes in good condition sell for $50 to several hundred dollars.

The Bottom Line: When in Doubt, Ask

Here's our best advice after years of helping Central Ohio families through downsizing and estate liquidation:

Never throw anything away until you've had it evaluated.

We've pulled items out of "trash" piles that sold for hundreds of dollars at auction. That costume jewelry brooch your mom wore to church? It might be a signed Eisenberg piece worth $300. Those old baseball cards in the closet? One could pay for a nice vacation.

The tricky part is that it's almost impossible to know what's valuable without experience. That's exactly why we're here.

Where to sell vintage advertising signs in Columbus

If you’re wondering where to sell vintage advertising signs in Columbus, the safest route is usually a professional estate auction or consignment-style auction—especially for original gas & oil, soda, and beer advertising. The big advantages: the item gets photographed properly, marketed to collectors who actually want it, and priced competitively based on current demand (instead of guessing and hoping).

At Buckeye Downsizing Services, the team regularly helps Central Ohio families decide whether a sign is best suited for an online auction, consignment at their Worthington warehouse, or an on-site home auction (depending on the size of the collection and the rest of the estate).

Let Us Take a Look Before You Toss

At Buckeye Downsizing Services, we offer complimentary consultations to help you identify what's worth selling, donating, or keeping. Our team has years of experience spotting hidden treasures: and we genuinely love surprising families with good news about items they almost threw away.

Whether you're downsizing, settling an estate, or just clearing out decades of accumulation, we're here to help make the process easier (and maybe put some unexpected cash in your pocket).

Ready to find out what treasures are hiding in your home?Contact us today for a free consultation. We'd love to help you discover what you've really got.