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7 ways to cash in on spring cleaning

Do some collectible bargaining
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Do some collectible bargaining

Vintage lunchboxes, anything Beatles and animation cells produced from the 1930s through the 1960s are among the spring-cleaning items that can attract high-paying collectors, says Aaron LaPedis, author of "The Garage Sale Millionaire." Don't expect huge profits from collectibles made after the 1970s unless they are limited edition items, LaPedis says. The reason: overproduction.

To get the highest amount, follow these rules. Don't clean your collectible or try to fix any blemishes. "You run the risk of ruining that item. You need to leave it the way it is," LaPedis says.

LaPedis advises selling collectibles on eBay, with one caveat. "If you are finding out your items are worth several thousand dollars, I do not think (eBay) is the way to go," he says. "A lot of high-end collectors don't shop on eBay."

Instead, LaPedis suggests selling valuable collectibles through auction houses such as Christie's or Sotheby's. Just expect your profit to take a hit. Auction houses generally take a larger commission on sales than eBay does.


 

 

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