Trunks
People may be looking to get rid of big, bulky items such as trunks, as society has moved on to more practical luggage. However, you would be surprised to know just how valuable that vintage American trunk that you can generally get for about $20 can be. If they’re in good condition, they can bring you up to a few hundred dollars easily.
Yet, keep an eye out for the trunks you see around garage sales, as most people don’t bother checking what they actually have from their old folks! Some of them may end up being from luxury clothing brands or even designer houses. The best find at a garage sale was a vintage trunk from the French design house, Louis Vuitton! The 1888 brass Explorer Trunk was later sold at an auction for $159,200, making its new (and old) owner very happy.
As with most things on our list, you would be surprised at just how valuable the things you may want to sell are. So, if you’re planning a garage sale, make sure you know exactly what you’re selling! And if you happen to be passing by one, check it out! You never know when you might hit the jackpot!
Read more about the things you could have in your pantry that could save you when you are in a pinch!
26 thoughts on “9 Items At Garage Sales That Are Worth More Than You Think”
Appreciate the info on jewelry and artwork. Always was aware of the value of books and vinyl records.
Great Information. I recently went to a lawn and house and I for two original pieces of and one signed print. The two originals I sold for a total of $5300 and the signed print I sold for $1275. I paid a total of $15 for the three works. 😊😊😊
Are you from Valdosta Ga. Did you own a lawn mower business for years.
I wonder if you were too shy to share back with those original owners?
I have a Thomas Wu painting if anyone is interested. This painting is on a scrollwork hanging. It can be seen at Valley Treasures in Mount Vernon, KY. Thomas Wu was part of the Red Army and always wanted to be a painter/artist. When he got a chance he bought a condo by the Mediterranean Sea. The painting that I currently have is from his balcony of the Mediterranean.
I also have a Leonid Afremov painting as well that is signed by him. It is dated 2012 which is suppose to be the last painting that he did. The painting is entitled “City By The Lake” and features a young couple walking under an umbrella while walking by the lake.
Where did you happen to find that at
Random records at garage sales tend to be iffy for resale in my experience unless you know what to look for.
Key for getting return on investment is condition. Of both the vinyl and the jacket – even light scratches on an album can drop the value – and frayed or torn jackets usually mean dollars off resale – same with missing inner sleeves.
And looking for discs that are high dollar takes some knowledge of genre, artist and labels. Reissue labels have minimal value but original labels can hike the price 10 to 100 fold. Think Elvis 50’s or Beatles early 60’s lps versus the reissues in the 80’s.
And then there are labels – find a 1950’s Blue Note jazz disc in great shape and you are probably going to do well. Same thing with some RCA and Mercury Classical Discs from the 50’s (Living Stereo and Living Presence) – Reader’s Digest compilations with the same tracks are great to listen to but don’t command the same dollar value.
I have a lot of records from the 1920’s & 1930’s . I do I tell what is junk
I suggest you do some ebay searching to see if others are being sold and the asking price. Or, invest in record price guide. But, as Geno mentioned, MANY things can change the value: is it rare? what is the condition? is it by an artist or on a label that is sought after? Elvis/Beatles/rockabilly/doowop/etc originals are generally worth more than reissues…however, some reissues might be valuable because of their scarcity. A misprint on some labels might add to a record’s value…or it might detract. Many things to consider…and a rare record has little value if you don’t find someone who wants it. Good luck!!!
I have original Elvis 78s with jackets and Ricky Nelson. Many others. Al a lot of old Jazz large albums.
du you like to sell your records ?
Hello. I have over 100 jazz albums. How can I find out the are originals? How can I sale them other than a garage sale?
you can also pick up some great xmas decorations at garage and estate sales.
What’s Xmas? You mean like Malcolm Xmas?
Have lots of old records long playing records of 50, 60, and 70’s for sale .. Tapes and CD’s too .
I bought a 1979 45 record Blondie, Heart of Gold, for $1.00. One of the last 45’s made.
Priceless to me
I have some original 78 records of Caruso and other artists of his day that were my grandmothers. Are there people who collect these types?
I look for sandpaper and hardware for my projects. Once I even got a stack of 12″ oak planks for free.
It just made me wonder, how to dispose of or sell old picture frames or paintings, maybe there is a website to post them or go to where to check their authenticity and quality, The houses that we live in today, collected and maybe gathered paintings and picture frames from the first owner of the house and never throw them away. Now we are the third owner of this house, and the painting and pictures are no longer suited to the style and ambiance we want for the home and tried to let them go but not throw them in the garbage because they all are not garbage. He or she collected birdhouses as their decorations as well. -Sincerely yours, Sad, and Confused!
Concur w/lots of this article’s content, especially artwork, jewelry and books. But items like glass objects (the Mason jars), the pottery, and anything else that’s fragile I can’t trust myself to be around. Also, old Christmas ornaments are useless b/c I don’t celebrate that Gentile holiday. Records are useless unless I want to invest in a record player to play them. I’m not so sure about old trunks or suitcases. Besides, isn’t there a store in Scottsboro, AL, called Unclaimed Luggage, that sells those things? I have no plans to visit that store in the near future.
I have the Elvis Blue Album, record is blue it was done at Graceland which I know many weren’t and it is an original do not want to sell but need to obtain medical equipment approximate cost $3500.
I have many collectibles, glassware, clothing, porcelain, books, records, wall hangings, etc. How do I know where to sell them?
Blondie…”Heart Of Glass”.
I have a bone engraved fan that I acquired on Ebay in its early days that came from China. The fan has an engraved bone stand to display it. Wondering if someone out there can give me an idea where to search for its value.
Information here is spot on! A commercial tenant vacated his space during a high-profile scandal. He moved in the dead of night in an armored truck with armed guards. The concierge gave me an abandoned lithograph headed for the trash. Turns out it was an original, signed lithograph worth several thousand dollars! Who knew?
Patsy Cline albums..originals for sale