Dear Crabby, Are My Collectibles Worth Any Money?

Dear Crabby,

My children recently informed me that they have no interest in inheriting my vast Precious Moments figurine collection. And frankly, I’m tired of dusting them. Do you think they would be worth selling?

Thanks,

Ronda Remberance

Dear Ronda Remberance,

First, how dare they! Secondly, my kids have pretty much told me and Mrs. Crabby the same thing. Our collections are very personal, and it hurts a bit when others don’t appreciate them the same way we do. I have half a mind to keep everything and then force them to deal with it all after I’m gone. But that’s me. I’m going to assume that you’re a bit nicer than that. As far as selling your Precious Moments figurines, well, I’d say there’s probably someone out there who would snap them up. Just keep in mind, you can put a price on nostalgia, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get what you’re asking.

Dear Crabby sits infront of his laptop
Dear Crabby Gives Advice

I’d say when it comes to folks and their collectibles, the biggest misconception is how much they’ll actually be worth. They assume because it’s old or that they’ve had it a long time, that it’s immediately worth thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, they usually get a big surprise when they find out just how worthless their collection is. So, for the benefit of all my readers, I’m going to lay down some tough love and let you all know which collections you need to find someone to take off your hands, stat!

  • Beanie Babies – Do you remember all the craziness over these stuffed toys. If you happen to have Princess, Peace, Mystic, or Royal Blue Peanut in your collection, you might be able to make some decent money. Otherwise, you may want to donate them to a children’s hospital or let the grandkids enjoy playing with them.
  • Comic Books – In this category, you need to have something super rare like Batman’s first appearance in Detective Comics, which sold for a record $2.8 million. You might also be able to make some decent cash if you have comics from the 1930s-’50s when a lot of superheroes debuted.  
  • Star Wars Toys – If you have any of the newer Star Wars toys, let your kids play with them. They’re not worth bubkus. But if you have rare or obscure Star Wars toys, that’s where you might be able to line your wallet with some green.
  • Vinyl Records – Yes, there is a vinyl revival; no that doesn’t mean every record in your collection is worth more than the PVC it’s printed on. Again, rare, or very select records will be worth anything. Think The Beatles, John Lennon, or Elvis Presley.  
  • Baseball cards – Sorry fellas, but no one wants your baseball cards. If they hold special meaning to you – great! Hang on to them. Otherwise, pitch them. Ha-ha. Get it?
  • Precious Moments Figurines – I saved the bad news for last to help soften the blow. Well, it’s not all bad news depending on how long you have been collecting. If you have any figurines from the ‘Original 21’ collection – especially the ‘God Loveth a Cheerful Giver,’ then you might be able to cash in.

Anyway, that’s what I know. You can take it or leave it. And if you just can’t resist buying more ‘treasures,’ Junk in the Trunk returns to the Farmers’ Market Upper Lot in Downtown Rochester this Saturday, June 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Good Luck selling your crap!

Dear Crabby

About Dear Crabby

Stuck in a rut? Need some biased advice from a crabby old baby-boomer? Read regularly by thousands and loved by some, Dear Crabby answers questions weekly to life's challenges. Send him a note at editor@rochestermedia.com.

Comments

  1. John Sanderson says

    It’s buPkis, NOT buBkis.
    Go on EstateSales.com to see the vast quantities of “collectibles” on offer.
    Also check eBay, and FaceBook Marketplace for comparisons….

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