What Sells On eBay: Mushroom mugs, Car books, Lineman belt, Sansui amp, Columbia snow shoes, Native Barbie, Gun case

[Ryanne]

 Any type of lineman’s tools– belts, boots, spikes, harnesses etc can go for a lot of money. Steve proves that this week! Post your What Sold video i[See the full post at: What Sells On eBay: Mushroom mugs, Car books, Lineman belt, Sansui amp, Columbia snow shoes, Native Barbie, Gun case]

[Idahoarder]

Favorites from last week:

Vintage Tabletop Hockey Game – My husband bought and listed this one. Paid $7.99 at a thrift store and it sold for $119.99 …to someone in Canada, of course!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/232514419334

Vintage Mailbox – Bought it at an estate sale for $5 and sold for $149.99. This is the one I mentioned that they paid $308 shipping for. Sheesh!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/332339939456

Ugly Owl Ornament – I found this in a big bag of ornaments from a thrift store and priced it kind of high since it was an owl and quite unique, but couldn’t turn down a $25 offer since I think it’s ridiculous.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/232548492392

Trench Art Letter Opener – I don’t remember where I got this one, but I know it was cheap. It sold for $24.99. This is the second piece of “trench art” I’ve sold, and I’m wondering if I should have priced it higher? Who knows.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/332235780556

[Steven S]

Holy cow!
I thought the mailbox you mentioned was one of those huge ones, this one is ordinary sized.
Good for you for asking for the moon, you got it!

[Sharyn]

I didn’t have a big week, but I had a two interesting sales worth talking about.

I hear about how desirable sterling is and how expensive it can be, but these cocktail forks took much longer to sell than I thought. They sold for $33, I paid $4.40. They are headed to the UK.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/182434750108

In Spring last year, I had missed an estate sale. I decided to drive by just in case I got the end time incorrect. It was over, but there was a pile labeled “free” by the side of the road. I picked up two 8-track tape cabinets filled with 8-track tapes and a player. I finally broke out these items in three listings (trying to go through my deathpiles), and I sold 52 untested 8-track tapes for full price of $59, and they are going to Italy!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/182998700173

[Sharyn]

Steve – I have a question for you.

I have a vintage radio, a Sylvania model 5T12, in working but distressed condition. From what I’ve researched online, it is a tube radio. I haven’t found the exact model, but something close enough.

A few weeks ago, you sold some kind of vintage electronic item, and you pulled out the tubes for safe shipping. I looked online to see recommendations, and one website said to pull out any tube that was loose, and another said it wasn’t necessary.

I think I hear something rattling around, so I think I should open it up and see what is going on. Can you give me some pointers on how I should go about doing this? I’m a bit hesitant to touch anything because I might break it.

Thanks! Here are some photos:

https://imgur.com/a/L3uAs

[pythonesk]

Mostly very low average sales this week except for one- a pair of antique lamps. We paid $100 each and sold for $480:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112768809350

Some really old golf shoes, going to England, paid $2, sold for $17:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/111880724609

Got these new Carhartt jeans at a rummage sale for only a buck! Sold for 22.49:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112316874595

Paid 50 cents for this scabbard, sold for 13.49:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112127578935

Vintage massager, paid $2, sold for $15:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112127578935

Avatar Collectors Vault Book (new), paid $5, sold for $20:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/111919070518

Compaq charger, paid $1, sold for 13.50:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112646684358

Tapestry tote bag, got for free, sold for $17:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112073057864

1950 Ephemera that originally came with a record, the buyer says she has the record which is really cool. Got this for basically nothing at a rummage sale, sold overnight for $10:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112127578935

[Steven S]

That’s an early 1960’s twin speaker, it’s a typical super heterodyne American 5 receiver and should have five tubes in it.
Taking it apart should be pretty straightforward, you may need to remove the volume and tuning knobs.
That should clean up nicely with just some vinegar an water.
Usually those types of plastic radios are often shipped with tubes in place without a problem but if you’re opening it up you may as well remove them for shipping. Take pictures before so you can tell the buyer which one go where.
The rattle could be just some piece of broken plastic, it could also be some dried up capacitor material.

[Sharyn]

It does look easy to take apart. I’m thinking I won’t take out the tubes unless they are loose. I’ll try better on the knobs using vinegar. Since it was generally in dirty condition, I wasn’t thinking to do much clean up. If I’m taking it apart, though, I might as well.

Thanks so much for your help and description. You know your stuff!

[So Cal Joe]

Last month I bought a non running motorcycle for $150. I’m keeping a bunch of the parts for myself, but many I’ve sold.

So far have $534.47 in sales from this.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_ssn=joe24658&_sop=10&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&_osacat=0&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEFSXS%3AMESOI&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xpc800.TRS0&_nkw=pc800&_sacat=0

I found this in the free section on Craiglsist. I took a best offer of $100 plus shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-2003-EXCURSION-F-SUPER-DUTY-250-350-450-550-WORKSHOP-MANUALS-VOL-1-2/142460138719?hash=item212b4934df:g:DAsAAOSwv89Ze3Ef

Cool Alfa Romeo belt Buckle.. paid $1.00 Sold $29.99..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Alfa-Romeo-Belt-Buckle-Solid-Brass-Round-2-4-Sports-Car-Toned-Patina/142628451941?hash=item2135517665:g:9qQAAOSw~QRaNsta

This kind of stuff is so much for interesting to me than books or hats, which I tend to sell more.

[Sigilini]

Well done Joe on the motorcycle parts, that’s just so cool!

[Doublythumbs]

I didn’t have too bad of a week of sales. Not great either, but I can’t be high rolling every week. Here are my highlights.

Every so often I make a bad buy. This is one of them. I spent $80 on a collection of these miniature tin railroad signs made by Post cereal. My thought was that railroad stuff had a huge following and these would fetch me a lot of money. Well it turns out these aren’t worth much. This is the second one to sell out of 12 of them for $13. I’ll manage to make my money back eventually, but I’ll never pick these up again unless they’re dirt cheap.
Post Cereal Tin Railroad Sign

Here’s the first piece from my ephemera experiment to sell. And it was the one I priced the highest. It’s a stand-up cardboard advertising display for paper cups featuring Jayne Mansfield. “With the Lip you Love to Touch!” LOL! Each piece from this lot of ephemera only cost me pennies. I sold this one for $40.
Jayne Mansfield Paper Cup Advertising

Here’s my big sale of the week. I acquired this Leader brand Semiconductor Curve Tracer from an estate sale for about $3. The guy selling everything either really didn’t pay attention to what was going in my pile or he didn’t care. Now I didn’t really get a chance to thoroughly test this piece of equipment. It turned on, so I was satisfied. I have no reason to believe it was damaged or anything. It looked almost unused. It sold to someone in Japan for $200.
Leader Semiconductor Curve Tracer

I loved this sale. In a box of old flags, I was surprised to find a large and very old 46-star flag. Unfortunately, it had seen way better days. It was full of holes and tears. But I know sometimes that can be a selling point. So I listed it high at $250 and took a best offer of $165.
46-Star Flag

[The Thrift Raider]

Doublythumbs, I love that Jayne Mansfield ephemera! I’m a huge fan of hers.

[Doublythumbs]

I loved it too! I kinda regret selling it for only $40 but I know the buyer will appreciate it. I won’t say their username, but it has the words pinup girl in it.

[Beverly – Far Out and Fabulous]

Doublythumbs: Good score on that flag! I’m always looking out for anything less than 50, but
46!!!

[Doublythumbs]

Thanks, Beverly! Yeah, I’m always an the lookout for 48 stars, so I couldn’t believe it when I counted 46.

[The Thrift Raider]

I haven’t been selling much but that’s because I haven’t been listing. There was a cold snap here in Louisiana in which it snowed last week, but mostly it was ice and sleet. I know a bunch of people who fell on it (including me!) Roads got shut down, the works. Then after that, I caught a really bad cold which I’m still dealing with. I’m hoping to get back into listing this weekend, or at least next week. I did sell some rainbow floppy disks the other day which I think the person will be using for sewing machine patterns since her name has ‘sew’ in it. Nice to know they definitely do sell!

[ChristineR]

Sharing a few vintage sales from this year.

Paid $3 for these NOS sheets at indy thrift. I love finding vintage linens in the package and find they routinely sell within a year. https://www.ebay.com/itm/232481758436

This past year, I’ve started anticipating the holidays and listing items about two months prior, pricing to sell during the current year. This seasonal thinking is paying off I think. I love to pick up vintage greeting cards because the graphics are so cool. Paid .50 for this pack. https://www.ebay.com/itm/232629832455

These sold the day they were listed. Didn’t enjoy photographing and listing vintage used sheets but these are really retro so glad to share them with someone who appreciates them. Paid $2 for the pair. https://www.ebay.com/itm/232637545177

Was lucky to find this and paid up at $40. One of my most favorite finds so far. Took a best offer of $200 but sadly the buyer hasn’t paid yet. https://www.ebay.com/itm/232579864884

Doubly love your ephemera sale! Such a fun item. I think that is my favorite stuff to find. Have a great weekend. BTW, I’m missing the menu above this post to create a link. P.P.S. I’m trudging on with the poor lighting and sacrificing my photo quality for speed and just getting the piles up.

[Doublythumbs]

Thanks Christine. I’m always on the hunt for Hudson Bay blankets like yours since the first one I sold last year.
You know now that you mentioned it, I’m missing my editing menu as well. I thought it was just me and have been hand coding my links for the last couple weeks.

[Beverly – Far Out and Fabulous]

Thanks, Steve. I really dig that music you have in the background with the doggies and Midge.
I love your sales, you get great prices on things like that lineman belt, maybe I just don’t bargain enough, I’ll have to channel you next time.

Disney Trader Sam’s menu from big Tiki haul, they threw it in for free, sold for $39.99: https://www.ebay.com/itm/112699788579
Wood Tiki, paid $5 at big Tiki haul, sold for $36: https://www.ebay.com/itm/112759321628
I’m almost out of the good Tiki stuff from that big score, 2 wood tikis and a few mugs. Hard to find that stuff in my more rural area and I hate going to the city.

Trader Vic Bartender Guide 1972, paid $1 at a garage sale, sold for $14.99, on its way to Denmark: https://www.ebay.com/itm/112740153822

Levi’s 550, paid $3.50 at little thrift shop, sold for $20: https://www.ebay.com/itm/112755408663

Camel Seat, paid a few bucks, sold for $45 (could have gotten more on a more elaborate one and with the leather cushion), plus shipping $38 from northwest to Florida: https://www.ebay.com/itm/112740386236

Ukelele Guild T-Shirt, paid $1 at rummage sale, sold for $14.99: https://www.ebay.com/itm/112733576536

Motivated by Steve’s sale, my Better Crocker “pie” cover cookbook I don’t use, sold for $29: https://www.ebay.com/itm/112758939960

Clear the Decks 1952 book, paid $2.25 at estate sale, sold for $29.99: https://www.ebay.com/itm/112709325593

[Habnab]

I recently sold a lot of 36 brass candlesticks for $295. This was just an assortment of vintage mix and match pieces, ranging from about 3 to 7 inches high. I picked them up here and there over the course of several months and then lotted them together. My favorite local thrift has started marking them up a bit, but the world seems to be awash in brass candlesticks for $2 and under. I started building another grouping and have almost 20 again with very little effort. They’re very heavy to ship, so weigh your box carefully. I’m expecting a little whammy from the USPS because my estimate (<– estimating is a bad idea!) was low.

[Sharyn]

I remember someone mentioning on the forum that they save brass candlesticks and sell them together as “wedding decor”. I started to save them, but so far I only have one silver plate set and one brass set, so I’m far from ready to list anything. I wonder if I can do something similar with vases.

You got a great price at $295!

[Punk]

Love the idea of selling candlesticks in bulk! I’ve done that with milkglass vases over on etsy under “vintage wedding decor”. I usually pay .25-.50 for the short and tall bud vases and sell similars in a bulk lot for about $5 each. They usually sell quick, especially during spring and summer.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by Punk.

[Punk]

🙂 $5 per vase, I meant to say.

[Habnab]

Milk glass! Wow. Never considered it. I may have to start gathering up those bud vases (even though I have a visceral aversion to milk glass… not sure why. Perhaps I had a bad bud vase experience as a child.)

I think I sort of lucked out with the candlesticks. I got a bunch of lower offers, around $150, which I rejected (and one I accepted but then the buyer canceled.) $295 is, I think, higher than market price. And, yes, I had “wedding” in the listing title. I think that’s what people are using them for (and in the grand scheme of Pinterest-ready traditional non-scavenger weddings, $300 is sadly a drop in the bucket.)

[Author]

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