Top Ten Things to Not Buy at the Thrift Store
Top Ten Things to Not Buy at the Thrift Store
Thrifting is a fun and exciting hobby that it is enjoyed by many people, myself included. What makes it not so fun is when you think you've found something really good, but all it ends up being is a dud. Previously, I've written about the Top 10 Things I Never Leave On The Shelf about what items make me do a little a happy dance when I find them at my local thrift stores. This week, I'm going to discuss the Top Ten Things to Not Buy at the Thrift Store. I've compiled this list based on my own experiences the past several years, so this could be not be the case for everyone. But if you want to know which items I no longer linger with, keep reading.
1. Ty Beanie Babies- No Thanks
You remember the Ty Beanie Babies created by Ty Warner in 1986 that were so popular in the 1990s that by 1998, several were reported to be worth over 100 thousand dollars. Ty Beanie Babies were collected by nearly everyone, but as is always the case, some definitely took it farther than others. So what about now? What has become of all those valuable stuffed toys? According to eBay, you're lucky to sell one for under $10 plus shipping.
2. Pass on Precious Moments.
Precious Moments were a line of collectibles that had originally started as illustrations on paper by artist, Sam Butcher, used for greeting cards. But in 1978, all that changed when the company Enesco approached the company producing the greeting cards using Sam's illustrations, Johnathan & David, about creating a porcelain figurine of the big, sad eyed children that are so well known as Precious Moments. Some of the original figurines can still be worth money, but they are extremely rare and the market is small.
3. Hmmm... Hummel's?
The original Hummel figurines that were so popular during the 1930s-1940s were created by the Goebel company based on illustrations done by a nun named Sister Hummel. The first Hummel figurine was released in 1935 and continued to be produced even after the death of Sister Hummel in 1946. Before her death Sister Hummel had approved both the sculpting and the painting of each piece for the Hummel's figurines line by Goebel. As with the Precious Moments, very few Hummel figurines sell for very much these days. This line has also been reproduced so many times that finding an authentic original can be difficult without more than a basic knowledge of the once popular figurines.
4. Boyd's Bears
Boyd's Bears, first released in 1993, are a fairly recently made member of the figurines fads group with the line only just being retired in 2014. My own mother collected these resin figurines featuring teddy bears in all sorts of scenarios from story time to the Civil War. In the heyday of these country bear's popularity they could be found in nearly every gift shop selling for anywhere between $20-$80, depending on the piece. Collectors quickly grabbed new figurines and added each rare bear to the shelf with pride. But that was in the early 2000's, so what about now? Are they worth more now? Nope, according to eBay, they are selling in the $10-$20 range per figurine and are usually a slow seller too as the market for these collectibles has decreased significantly in the last decade or so.
5. Collectible Series Wall Plates
Collectible wall plates began their popularity as collectibles in the 1970s when the Bradford Exchange company began marketing a selling them through phone calls and mail order catalogs. Before long, the trend expanded to all sorts of series featuring all types of characters, places, and things. Throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, collector plates series could fetch higher prices, but now they are sold for less than $20 for a whole set usually.
6. Anything marketed as a "collectible"
Let's just go ahead and say I'm not phased by any vintage item that was marketed as a collectible. Because in the case of collectibles, guess what people did with them? They collected them! That means there are usually an abundance of them to be found and the demand of them to be sold is much smaller. If you're looking for quick turnover and good profits, collectibles are not the way to go. Things that were not meant to be collected are a much better alternative and are usually much more in demand.
7. Single Tea Cup & Saucer Sets
Collecting teacups and saucers is such an elegant, sophisticated hobby that has also decreased in popularity in recent years. Some styles of antique teacups can still holder higher price tags, but most are sold for around $10-$20 according to recent eBay sold listings. The key to collecting or buying for resell would be to know exactly what styles of these cup and saucers duos are still in demand by collectors.
8. Skip Most Vintage Tupperware pieces
The Tupperware company was started in 1946 by Earl Tupper, after he invented the company's well-known airtight seals. The first Tupperware party was held in 1948 as a way to introduce the product and demonstrate all the ways it would make the lives of housewives easier. This move proved to be a good one and sales of Tupperware products soared. Some Tupperware pieces such as the salt and pepper shakers above are still a good find in mint condition. Missing lids, stains, or other blemishes also significantly affect the value of these pieces as well.
9. Mass-Produced Framed Wall Art Prints
Mass-produced art prints are better left behind unless they are of a style or particular print that was supremely popular during a previous decade. One example of a supremely popular line that may be a good seller for you are the Big Eyes Children created by Margaret Keane, popular in the 1960s. A better wall art vintage piece to look out for are the real butterfly taxidermy framed specimens of the 1970s and 1980s as well as framed vintage cross stitched pieces, which are making a comeback right now.
10. Avoid "Made in China" stickers
Most items that have one of these gold "Made in China" stickers are cheaply made Chinese reproductions of vintage or pricier brand name items. The resell value of these types of items are, similarly to their retail values, surprisingly low.
I hope you enjoyed this week's post on some of the items you probably shouldn't waste your time with and I hope you will be back again for next week's post. Be sure to check out the new weekly feature, Think Ya Know? Thursdays to test your vintage knowledge. And the month of April brings a new 30% off sale at TheVintageVixenShop and to help you get ready for Mother's Day in May, we are offering 30% off a wide selection of unique, vintage items that Mom is sure to love! Don't miss out on the chance to score great gifts for Mom at lowered prices and as always at TheVintageVixenShop, we are happy to provide FREE SHIPPING with every purchase. Click here or use the button below to shop the sale now.
Until then, Happy Hunting!
Comments
Post a Comment