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Schwinn bike in my attic. |
Another attic relic was this uncut sheet of Canada Dry soda cans commemorating the 1974 Philadelphia Phillies. Back then, my father worked as a machinist for the American Can Company and would occasionally come home from work with special edition collectible cans. Some of them would commemorate important historic events like the country’s Bicentennial, while others would memorialize local sports team. The Phillies sheet was big and unwieldy, and if your weren’t careful, you could cut yourself on the tin metal edges of the sheet. At the time, I thought the sheet was pretty cool and I stored it in my parent’s attic until I moved out. Like the Schwinn bike, the tin metal sheet followed me through my adult life, moving from one home to the next. Recognizing that after 40 years, I wasn’t doing anything with the sheet, I finally sold it to a Phillies collector for $60 dollars. The story has a funny ending. Back in December, I attended my family’s annual Christmas party. While the family enjoys some adult beverages and digs into various crockpots, my cousins will usually get around to picking my brain on the value of collectibles they own. On this particular festive occasion, while Santa (Cousin Tom) handed out gifts to the kids, my cousin Fran began telling me about a 1974 Philadelphia Phillies soda can sheet he owned. He wondered out loud, saying he couldn’t recall where he got the sheet from and also what it might be worth? Remembering that his father and my dad were pretty tight, I told him I knew exactly where he acquired the sheet. There was no doubt in my mind that my dad must have given him the sheet back in 1974. I went on to tell him that I had the exact same sheet and just sold it for sixty bucks! My cousin was amazed I was able to come up with some instant provenance on his treasured soda can sheet, solidifying my reputation as the family expert on all things collectible!
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Cold blast from the past! |
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Apple TV box for sale |
upgrading our old Apple TV box to the latest model. Now if it were up to me, I would be perfectly happy getting by with one of those cheap digital antennas you see advertised on late night TV commercials. As far as I am concerned, cable is just one big ripoff! But instead, I folded like a cheap tent, shelling out a hefty $150 dollars for the latest, greatest Apple TV box. After my sons installed the new version, they told me I might be able to re-sell the old Apple box for a few bucks. They were right. The three piece package, which included the box, remote and power cord, went for $50 bucks on eBay; a nice return that made the Apple upgrade a little easier on my wallet.
Not bad, right? As I said, I’ve made a pretty good dent unloading a lot of clutter around the house. I am not done yet, so if it’s not nailed down, it will probably end up on eBay! How about you? Have you made any money flipping stuff that was just gathering dust around the house? Share your story in the comment section below....
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I find your blog so interesting. Thank you! I have been an eBay seller for a long time and am amazed at the items that sell...the ones you think would never sell...lol. We have been in our home for 30 years. We replaced our garage door opener a few years back. It was time, poor old thing was tired and not working well. Believe it or not I listed many parts, sold them all and pretty much paid for the new opener....and I saved the install cost(s) by having the husband do it! The remotes themselves went for like 20 bux each! amazing! I also live near a casino and every now and than they give away stuff...it's actually not free...the money I spent there takes care of that. Anyway, once in a while they give away wrist watches. Believe it or not, they sell for close to 100 dollars or more to buyers in Europe! Pretty sure they didn't cost the casino that much. Gotta love eBay! :)
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DeleteCheryl-
DeletePiecing out your old garage door opener is a great idea! A few years back, I bought a Mr. Christmas mechanical elves on a ladder decoration. When I got it home, it broke, but like your garage door opener, I pieced it out, even selling the light bulbs. Made my money back and then some. When you think about it, there’s probably other opportunities around the house for similar sales. Love the casino freebies too!
Thanks for writing in and sharing your awesome flips....Dude!
I sold a couple of my house clocks and numerous other items. If it isn't nailed down, I'm selling it. I recently sold a walker that I bought for my dad for $50 He passed away and seeing it made me sad. I can't wait for garage sales. We had record snow storms here the first half of April but it is finally warming up
ReplyDeleteSince we’re looking to move eventually, I have the same philosophy as you do-if it isn’t nailed down...sell it. Ha!
DeleteThanks for checking it!