We have all had that conversation. Perhaps a parent or grandparent gestures to a cabinet full of figurines or a stack of plates and says, “One day, this will all be yours.” While they say it with pride, convinced they are passing down a small fortune, the heartbreaking reality is stark. Sadly, most of those “investments” are now worth pennies on the dollar.
Furthermore, the market for collectibles has crashed because the generation that bought them is downsizing, and the generation inheriting them lacks the space or the interest. It is a hard pill to swallow; however, we need to be realistic about what is actually valuable. Here are the items that are likely gathering dust rather than value.
Precious Moments and Hummels
Originally, these porcelain figurines were marketed as instant heirlooms. Now, however, thrift stores are drowning in them. Unless you possess an incredibly rare, early edition, these are generally hard to give away, let alone sell. Simply put, the aesthetic just doesn’t fit modern decor.
Brown Furniture
Specifically, heavy, dark oak China cabinets and massive entertainment centers are virtually unsellable. Because Millennials move frequently and live in smaller spaces, we can’t lug a 400-pound armoire up three flights of stairs. Consequently, the trend is toward lighter, modular furniture, leaving these behemoths without a home.
Collector Plates
Remember when magazines promised that commemorative plates would fund your retirement? Unfortunately, that bubble burst decades ago. You can often find entire collections of these on eBay for less than the cost of shipping. Since they are strictly decorative and the style is outdated, few buyers exist.
Beanie Babies
Aside from a tiny handful of errors or first editions, that bin of plush animals in the attic is not a gold mine. In fact, the mass production of these toys ensured that they would never hold their value. Therefore, it is better to donate them to a shelter where kids can actually play with them.
Fine China Sets
As mentioned before, formal dining is out. Moreover, selling a used set of china is incredibly difficult because shipping it is a nightmare and local buyers aren’t interested. Most consignment shops won’t even accept them anymore since they have a backlog they cannot move.
Silver-Plated Flatware
Sterling silver has melt value; conversely, silver-plated items do not. They require constant polishing and offer no financial return. If it isn’t solid silver, it is likely just metal clutter taking up drawer space.
Common Stamp Collections
Unless the collection was curated by a serious philatelist with rare, high-grade stamps, a childhood album of common stamps is worthless. Additionally, the hobby of stamp collecting has seen a massive decline, shrinking the pool of potential buyers.
Encyclopedia Sets
The internet rendered these obsolete instantly. Besides being heavy and taking up massive shelf space, they contain outdated information. Furthermore, they aren’t even recyclable in some cases due to the binding. Ultimately, they are essentially paperweights.
The Value of Letting Go
The real value of these items was the joy they brought your family when they were bought. However, holding onto them out of guilt serves no one. It is okay to keep one or two pieces for the memory and let the rest go.
Has a family member tried to gift you a “valuable” collection you didn’t want? How did you handle it? Let me know below.
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