When we think about expensive antiques or collectibles, our minds might go straight to jewellery and rare coins, but you may have a gold mine in your back room or garage without even realising it.
“Gen Z and millennials are big into nostalgia items, including vintage toys and clothing,” says Estelle Nagel, head of brand marketing at Gumtree South Africa. “You might not think they are worth anything, but we are seeing ‘junk drawer’ items selling for hundreds, if not thousands, of rand on the second-hand market.”
What are these items?
1. Vintage toys
Vintage toys are extremely popular, especially those found in the 1980s and 1990s.
“Millennial consumers who have the deepest pockets are buying their old toys back to display, or because they simply want to share their passions with their kids.
“Most of the old TV series we grew up watching have been revived, or are available on streaming channels and are being discovered by younger generations.
“There’s also a big push towards to 1980’s nerd culture thanks to shows like Stranger Things,” says Nagel.
Collectible Barbies sell for R1 000 to R10 000, Tazos (that were given away in Simba chips packets in the late 1990s) sell for R25 each, vintage Furbies sell for R500 to R1 000, and Hot Wheels cars can sell for several hundred rand, depending on rarity.
If you have a rare 1959 Barbie in stock, you could easily sell it for R350 000 at an auction.
“Even if you don’t have something highly collectible, your vintage Fisher Price baby toys are still fetching R300 to R800 each online because the new ones are pricey.”
2. Car parts
Whenever you have a major service and replace your car parts, the workshop usually hands the old parts back to you. Do not throw it away or leave it in the garage, as it can be sold.
“Always insist on getting your old car parts back. Oftentimes they are still usable, and as long as you are transparent about the condition, you will find someone willing to purchase them.”
According to Nagel, the car parts section of the site receives more than a half a million unique browsers every month looking for bargain deals.
“Usually you won’t get more than a few hundred rand back, but it’s always better than nothing.”
3. Porcelain ornaments and sets
Those strange figurines that your grandmother displayed in her imbuia glass cabinet might just be worth a pretty penny today.
Hummel figures that depict little children have fetched as much as R500 000 at auction.
“Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to porcelain and ceramics, but some figurines fetch high prices at auction.
Lladro fine porcelain sells well (R1 000 and more), Noritake dinner sets fetch as much as R2 000 to R5 000, and Naaman ceramics usually get between R500 to R2 000.
“Most vintage porcelain tea sets and dinnerware sets also do very well, so do a little homework if you have some of these items in your possession.”
4. Vinyl records
At a stage, vinyl records sold for R2 a piece at the local charity shop.
Nowadays, a popular vinyl record easily sells for R400 to R1 500 online.
“Record players are the ultimate hipster items, and movies like Bohemian Rhapsody, Mamma Mia and Rocketman has seen demand for original records skyrocket.”
5. Granny’s clothes
Vintage clothing is very popular.
“The 80s and 90s are doing very well online, as well as classic coats and dresses from the 1950s and 1960s.
“Vintage designer labels of any age are always popular. You can sell your vintage clothes for anything from R200 to R2 000 with ease, along with older costume jewellery, bags and hats.”
Other items that do well are vintage cameras and cellphones (working or non-working), vintage sports equipment and vintage baby furniture, while the items that usually underperform include old coins and works of art.
“Old coins that have been in circulation are generally not worth much, and if you are struggling to flip old works of art, it may be worth investing in a modern frame,” says Nagel.
