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As part of our 'senior outreach' I employ a nice older lady (she's not really that nice) named Phoebe. Phoebe has an incredible eye for vintage jewelry among other things, and has helped me identify pieces that I would have personally overlooked and sold for $5 in the showroom. This sale blew my mind and earned Phoebe a chicken sandwich.

You know I love collecting and selling vintage toys and when they are near mint with original box I sometimes try to fish for a crazy high price. It took about 8 months to get this offer but with a typical Ebay auction it might have only sold for a few hundred. 

I've mentioned before that while 20 years ago doesn't seem that long, many people who were kids then are now working adults trying to buy back childhood memories. This was like a cereal box-top mail away item that had never been used and serious collectors want unusual items in mint condition. I actually found another one that had sold for like $25 but I put it out for auction just in case and imagine my surprise when it sold for $250!

Sometimes I really take a chance selling obscure items like this but it was brand new from like 50 years ago so I had to try. It took a long time to sell but I'm sure the buyer was glad I saved it.

Lots of stuff like this that was made to be 'collectible' mass produced in China just isn't worth much but sometimes a certain figure will score big

We've talked before about vintage board and role playing games having good value

This had a good old look about it and it actually sold in less than a day. Not a big sale but on less item on my shelves

Not usually worth much but we've talked before about old Pyrex - clean condition and funky patters sell quick.

Old ethnic carvings and tools can be hit or miss but the more 'tribal' they are in appearance the better chance they have of selling.

Some unusual ceramic pieces sell but usually not for much money. The buyer of this piece was in the UK and paid more for shipping than the actual item

Yet another vintage toy that sold for a great price

In some cases it might make sense to sell an old picture and an old frame seperate but in this case I just threw it out there as it was.

Some special interest books can be in demand and these sold in a few hours. I probably could have priced them a little higher but a quick sale and one less item on my shelf is always a good thing

This big boy sat on my shelf for like a year before I decided to list it on eBay as I didn't think it was worth much. It was actually pretty clean and sold for a good price so I'm glad I took the time

I don't have much luck with African art but I know some items can have good value

This little hoot sold in less than a day - not a big sale but getting things out the door quick is important

Often we use the internet to find a home for large furniture and buyers from across the country work with us to arrange transport though private freight carriers but we usually have to wait weeks to get it picked up 

This was kinda cool but the cost to ship a chunk of wood cuts in to what someone is willing to pay

This took forever to sell and was a chore to pack and ship but I'm glad it found a home

Newer collectibles usually have a following and some limited edition items can be high value

I seem to have some luck with old bookends

While real silver has value, I almost never try to sell plated items like this but this set had a nice look and was pretty clean and times are tough.

Some old French porcelain is still in demand

Some very small furniture pieces like this can be shipped

Old quilts usually aren't worth much but if they are clean I can sell them