You Can Make Real Money Selling These “Useless” Household Items Online
Craigslist, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace might be a great place for large-ticket items but you might be surprised how little things around your house can add up and make you a fortune. There is a big market for strange and "useless" things that are just lying around your house.
Did you know that you can make a good amount of money by selling old remote controls? Or even empty toilet paper rolls? Find out how your trash might be another man's treasure (and can make you some serious cash).
Old Instruction Manuals Are Worth A Ton
The photo above is actually from eBay. Somebody was selling their old Sony cassette recorder manual. If you manage to get your hands on a vintage cassette recorder, chances are it doesn't come with a manual. That's why these old manuals are valuable nowadays.
You may not be able to get rich selling old manuals, but you can earn yourself anywhere from $5 to $20, depending on the manuals you have. If you wanted to be really nice, you could just photograph the manuals and put them online for free. But then where's the fun in that?
People Will Purchase Old Software Floppy Disks and CDs
You probably no longer have a computer with a floppy disk or even a CD tray for that matter but believe it or not there is still a market for those products. Vintage PC collectors, in fact, are all over a lot of that old software.
There is currently a Windows 3.11 operating system floppy disk selling on eBay for $11.99. I guess one man's junk truly is another man's treasure — at least on eBay.
Sell Your Old Coffee Mugs
Vintage coffee mugs have fetched some insanely high prices on eBay. For example, one 20oz cup from a Sydney, Australia Starbucks was listed for $45.
In some cases, buyers simply want to replace their favorite mug with an exact copy. In other cases, vintage cups are seen as collectors items and they are purchased not for use but for their appeal to a certain group of buyers. Either way, your old coffee cups could be worth a shockingly good amount of money.
Yup, Dentures
Okay, we're not exactly sure why the denture business is so lucrative online but hey, we'll take it. If for some reason you have extra dentures or denture supplies like cases, cleaners, and adhesive laying around then they can make you hundreds of dollars.
Seriously. one three-pack of Cushion Grip Denture Adhesive sold online for $245. One set of false teeth with 15 grams of scrap gold also sold for $202.50.
You Can Actually Sell Pine Cones
Pine cones are totally free. If you live in an area with a lot of coniferous trees, all you have to do is go outside and collect any pine cones that have fallen on the ground. Take some nice pictures of the pine cones and put them up for sale on eBay.
Sometimes people want to use pine cones as decorations in their homes, but they don't live in an area where pine cones are abundant. Sometimes they're just too lazy to collect their own pine cones. Typically, you can earn $6 for every 10 large pine cones you collect.
Sell Your Old Picture Frames
Picture frames seem to always be in high demand. For those people who don't want to use the basic clean-lined frames from Walmart then they will turn to eBay to find vintage, ornate looking frames.
If you have a bunch of old picture frames laying around that you no longer use to display your own memories, sell them for a couple of bucks online. Old works of art might be worth even more because of their ornate frames.
People Love Vintage Electronics
Broken electronics might turn a profit on eBay but you don't have to keep the ones in perfect working conditions either. Vintage electronics are all the rage for millennials looking to feel a little bit nostalgic. Things like record players, Walkmans, eight-track players, and certain film cameras are hot commodities online.
Especially because you can't buy these items in store anymore, vintage electronics can turn a huge profit. Just make sure you check the brand and models on eBay first to see what prices are comparable. With vintage electronics, you can make upwards of $100 in profit!
Old Remote Controls May Work In Someone Else's House
Did you just buy a new TV? If you don't need your remote control you could earn a few extra dollars by listing it on eBay. We've seen some remote controls sell for upwards of $25. Not bad for an item that probably would have ended up in the trash.
Seller tip: Be sure you are very clear about the model of TV that the remote belongs to. We also suggest checking with the manufacturer to get a full list of model numbers that the remote control will work with to get the biggest bang for your buck.
Sell Your K Cups
Did you suddenly become environmentally conscious? Or perhaps your Keurig broke and you don't want to replace it. Your unused K Cups can bring in a good amount of money.
eBay actions for 20 to 25 K Cups have experienced winning bids upward of $25. The selling price, of course, is based on the flavor of cups being sold. Seller Tip: Make sure you list the expiration date during the auction so buyers know your K Cups are still good to go.
Unique Cake Pans
Cake pans don't just go on trees, you know. It can be hard to find a good quality cake pan in stores, and the ones on sites like Amazon can be rather expensive. Baking aficionados will often scour eBay looking for the right size, shape, and brand of cake pans that they need to a specific cake.
eBay buyers favor Wilton brand cake pans. If you have any of those at home, you can sell them on eBay for a pretty penny.
People Will Buy Prescription Glasses
When you get a new pair of prescription glasses what do you do with the old ones? Some of us may keep them as an extra pair but sometimes they go out of fashion and we don't have any use for them.
People who may not have the money for glasses or benefits to cover eye care will look to buy prescription glasses on eBay. If you're frames are designer, then can go for an even better price online.
People Will Buy Broken Electronics
Think of broken electronics like parts from a junkyard. Some buyers don't need a brand new laptop but they will jump at the chance to take that old Intel i7 processor out of your laptop or take apart other electronics for recycling purposes.
Seller tip: Format your hard drive several times and remove any other personal information before selling electronics on eBay. The last thing you want is someone getting a hold of your old tax returns and using that information to steal your identity.
Vintage Magazines and Catalogs Fetch A Handsome Price
People love looking through vintage magazines and catalogs. These old previously worthless pieces of paper now remind people about the good old days. it's all about the nostalgia factor. The Pleasant Company American Girl catalog from the 1993 winter collection sold for $29.95 on eBay.
Make sure you mention the condition of the magazine when you list it for sale on eBay. You can get more money if your magazines and catalogs are in near-perfect condition.
Empty Perfume Bottles Are Still Worth Something
By this time we know that empty containers of anything can turn some sort of profit on eBay but empty perfume bottles usually go for a higher price than other items. That's because the newest trend in DIY weddings is to use old perfume bottles as decor. Many people will put small flowers or incense in the bottles and use them at the reception.
Depending on how nice the perfume was, you can get upwards of $15 for your empty container.
People Will Buy Empty Toilet Paper Rolls
While empty toilet paper rolls may seem useless to you, parents and teachers actually use these things all the time for crafting with kids. Remember making those cotton ball sheep in kindergarten? You need a toilet paper roll for that.
One auction on eBay has 117 rolls listed for $16. Just make sure you list the item as "Pre-Owned." Make sure your buyer knows that you collected the rolls yourself and they weren't made specifically to be used in crafts.
You Can Sell Empty Egg Cartons
Apparently, people online will buy your empty egg cartons. Whether they're planning on making some crafts or storing a whole lot of eggs we'll never know. All that matters is you got those cartons for free at the grocery store when you bought your eggs, and now you can pass them along to somebody else.
You can sell 30 to 40 empty egg carton containers for around $25 on eBay. Vintage egg cartons sell for even more.
Your Junk Drawer Could Sell For Nearly $100!
That old phrase "one man's trash is another man's treasure" are truer than ever. Seriously, people actually search the words "junk drawer" and buy miscellaneous contents online. Everyone has that one drawer in the kitchen just full of stuff like marbles, stamps, watches, photos, pens, etc.
Take a photo of the items and post them online for a surprisingly big haul. One "Vintage Junk Drawer Estate Lot Lighters Knives Razors" sold for a shocking $95 on eBay!
People Will Buy Old Puzzles
Any puzzle lover probably already knows about the booming underground market for used puzzles. Think about it: what do you do with a puzzle after you're done? You either throw it out, or leave it on a shelf to wait for 20 years before finally going back to throw it out.
Now, there's a market where puzzle-lovers can switch out their puzzles for cheap after they finish one. You usually won't make too much money but it's better than simply tossing it in the trash.
You Can Sell Installation CDs And Drivers
If you have an old computer, printer, or copies then it's likely that the software to install it is on a CD. While some software has been uploaded on websites online, a lot has not. For those people desperate enough, they'll turn to eBay and shell out $15 or $20 to get the software they need.
Basically, if your printer dies before you toss everything in the trash double check on eBay to see what your drivers are going for.
Add Up A Ton Of Coupons To Make Serious Cash
While you probably won't earn a ton of money selling a $.50 off coupon for Campbell's soup, you could rake in the cash if you have an offer that is going to save an eBay buyer a ton of cash.
Seller Tip: Make sure to note the expiration date and any exclusions that apply. For example, there is currently one seller who is offering three Lowe's coupons that are good for $20 off each purchase of $100 or more. The coupon's are selling for $5. The buyer can save up to $60 for $300 in purchases.
That Cord That Doesn't Fit Into Anything
We all have that box of cords that are tangled up and go unused but we can never bring ourselves to throw them out because what if we need them one day? Untangle that stress by selling your power cords, old phone chargers, USB cords, etc. on eBay. They won't sell for a ton of money—usually only three or four bucks—but you'll make more than if you threw it away.
You can also sell the cords with peace of mind knowing that one day, if you need that specific cord back, you can buy one back for cheap on eBay.
Students Are Always Looking For Textbooks No Matter How Old They Are
Yes, if you've taken up Marie Kondo's tidying up practice and decided that most of your old books from college no longer spark joy (did they ever?), then consider reselling them on eBay. Colleges will usually buy back your textbooks for ridiculously low prices then resell them at nearly full cost to naive freshmen.
Instead, list them on eBay and you'll find college students clamoring to get their hands on your reduced-price textbook. Not only are you turning a profit, but you're sticking it to the man.
Empty American Girl Boxes Are Surprisingly Valuable
You heard that right — empty American Girl boxes can fetch top dollar on eBay. This holds especially true if you have an empty box for a rare American Girl Doll, specially the "doll of the year" boxes that people are seeking out.
The 'Kanani' 2011 doll of the year box has sold for up to $78 as collectors look to place their rare collection in an original box for value and preservation purposes.
People Will Buy Your Old Wine Corks And Bottle Caps
If you watch HGTV you may have seen designers and crafty people fashion furniture and decor items out of wine corks and bottle caps. You can actually make some pretty neat things out of these everyday objects.
You can get away with selling 300 wine corks on eBay for around $20. Just make sure to mentioned that the corks have been used. It's always important to be transparent with your customers. Some people actually like the wine stains. It makes the corks more authentic.
You Can Sell Box Tops For Education
Do you eat a lot of General Mills products? You have probably noticed the "Box Tops for Education" notices on those products. Start cutting out those box tops and saving them for sale on eBay.
Seller Tip: Schools often use box tops for education to win big prizes from General Mills. Others simply turn them in for much needed cash. We have seen 100 box tops sell for up to $26.99. If you just need a little bit of cash, price them item low. You'll still earn money while helping fund much needed education in America.
You Can Sell Ink And Toner Cartridges
Believe it or not there is a huge underground market for ink and toner cartridges. The price of a brand new cartridge can definitely leave some people with sticker shock. Most cost upwards for $80 for a brand new one and the refill option isn't that much more cost effective either.
If you have any old ink cartridges laying around, even if they're expired, they can turn a profit online. Potential buyers often scan eBay and other sites daily to find cartridges that match their pinter.
Do You Have Any Discontinued Products Lying Around?
Any products that have been discontinued can fetch a nice sum on eBay. It's the old principle of supply and demand at work. If people know the product is no longer being made, they know supply is low, so they're willing to pay more for it.
Don't discount the value of even the smallest items. Discontinued candy that isn't expired can fetch anywhere from two to 10 times its original value on eBay. Remember Lifesaver Holes?
Sell Gift Cards On eBay
Have you ever received a gift card to a store you just never see yourself walking into, much less buying something from? Whoever gave it to you had good intentions, but they just don't know you very well. If you would have rather received money instead, you can sell your unwanted gift cards on eBay.
The trick here is to offer a slight discount. For example, that $100 card to Target that you're not going to use could be sold for $90.
Craft Supplies Do Well On eBay
Many of us have been in the position where a Hobby Lobby or Michael's sale was just too good to pass up. We stock our carts full of craft items and then three years later we discover that our craft hoarding has gotten out of control. While not selling your bulk supply of crafting materials for cash.
Seller Tip: Hard to find patterns sell really well and so do items that sell in bulk. If you have a lot of a certain item, try selling it in bulk for the biggest bang for your buck.
My Coke Rewards
My Coke Rewards have been around for years and there is a group of people who collect them regularly. If you drink bottles of coke, diet coke, and other coke-based products you could make some easy cash by holding onto the lids from your favorite product.
Again, you won't get rich by selling these items on eBay but 10 caps typically earn $3 per sale. Since you're already drinking the product, why not get back $.30 per drink on average. Think of this like recycling while helping someone out at the same time.
Old Clothes Your Kids Have Grown Out Of
Children grow up so quickly and typically only wear their clothing a few times before they outgrown their pants, shirts, dresses, and other items. Many consignment stores exist solely for the purpose of selling infant and children's clothing.
Seller Tip: If you have great taste in children's clothing, try selling in bulk for an entire season or year. Many successful eBay sellers of children's clothing will sell 30, 40 or even 50 outfits in bulk. Instead of $.25 for a single shirt at a yardsale you could earn $150 or $3 per outfit if you sell 50 items at once.
People Will Buy Empty Makeup Bottles And Containers
Some makeup stores allow you to bring your empty containers in return for free or discounted products. At M.A.C., if you return six empty containers, the store will gift you a free lipstick. If you don't want the free lipstick, you can sell your empty containers online to somebody who does.
Normally, a lipstick at M.A.C. costs around $20. If you sell six empty M.A.C. containers for $10, somebody gets a half-price lipstick, and you get ten bucks. It's a win-win.
Brand Name Clothes Do Well Online
Most of us are prone to donating or just tossing out our unworn clothes but if it's a brand name, you might find someone online who wants it. Anything that looks vintage, has designer labels, or even have the tags still on might be bought up by a teenager looking to appear more trendy. People want to look like they shopped at Urban Outfitters but without the price tag.
You can even sell more "useless" clothing items that you won't wear again like maternity clothing or children's holiday dresses on eBay. Just be aware that selling clothes usually takes a little longer on eBay, so be patient.
You Can Sell Bottle Caps
If your family drinks a lot of bottled water or soda then consider keeping the caps. Much like toilet paper rolls and empty egg cartons, plastic bottle caps are in high demand on eBay for arts and crafters. You won't get much for a small amount.
Usually, you only see them available in bags of 100, 250, or even 500. If you do plan on selling them, try grouping them into the same bottle type (don't mix Diet Coke with Dasani caps) and try and make them the same color.
People Pay Money For Broken Crayons
You might be tempted to toss out the mound of broken crayons that your kids have decimated over the years, but people will actually buy them in bulk on eBay. Many people on eBay are looking to reuse the wax for art and craft projects.
Just be sure you look at what the trend is when it comes to selling crayons. Some people will prefer you leave the paper on so they know the exact color, while others want it already removed.
Sell Old Holiday Gift Bags
We all have a closet full of gift wrapping and bags that we don't use. There's only so many birthdays, anniversaries, and baby showers we can buy gifts for. If you want to declutter those useless bags without just tossing them away, you can easily sell them on eBay for $1 or $2 a piece.
You can also try selling a bundle of similar sized or themed bags if you want to get rid of a bunch.
Anything LEGO Does Well Online
Of all the toys you can sell online, LEGO seems to be the one that has true staying power on eBay. The building blocks seem to really hold their value whether it's open or unopened. One vintage LEGO pirate set sold for $25 online but cost the seller a mere $3 decades ago.
Just make sure if you're going to sell your LEGO online that it's not "contaminated" with any off-brand building toys. Mega Blocks or dollar-store bricks won't sell well.
You Can Sell Old Luggage
If you've decided to say goodbye to your old luggage and swap it out for something new and shiny, consider selling it on eBay instead of throwing it to the curb. Old luggage tends to be of high quality. It might lack modern features like extendable handles and wheels, but it probably has 30 extra zipper pockets and is hand stitched.
Because of this, people will pay a premium. Just be careful about shipping costs because they can be big, heavy, and expensive to send.
Sealed Water Filters Do Well On eBay
Home water filtration systems are all the rage nowadays. People will often bring Brita and Pur systems to work and use them. If you've given up on drinking filtered water or have changed your filtration system, you might have sealed filters laying around.
If so, they can score a huge profit on eBay. Since the filters are pretty expensive to buy at retail cost, even discounting them by a few bucks will have people clamoring over them.
Music Memorabilia Is Always Fun
People are always looking to get their hands on concert merchandise like hats, t-shirts, and ticket stubs. If you collected those items at the time but are no longer fangirling over the musician or band, then sell the items on eBay. Many items don't even need to be autographed to have value.
Often, concert items are limited production and if you miss getting it at the concert, you're out of luck. People will pay high prices to get their hands on what they believe is a collectible.
