You probably keep a few items around because they feel nostalgic or useful, but many hold almost no resale value today. You can save time and avoid frustrating listings by knowing which old household things are unlikely to sell for much.
This article will help you spot common clutter—like outdated media, worn reference books, and tired tech accessories—so you can decide whether to recycle, donate, or trash them. Keep an open mind; clearing space can be surprisingly freeing when you stop chasing pennies for items that won’t bring them.
Old VHS Tapes
You might dig through a box and find piles of VHS tapes and expect cash.
Most tapes are common and damaged by time, so they usually fetch very little.
Only a few rare, unopened, or special-edition tapes attract collectors.
Check recent sales and condition before listing anything online; that tells you what buyers actually pay.
If you want quick money, recycling or bulk selling often nets more than chasing single-title jackpots.
Worn-Out Encyclopedias
You probably kept a set of encyclopedias for homework help and family reference.
Today their factual value is dated, and heavy wear—broken bindings, ripped pages, or missing volumes—cuts resale chances even more.
Collectors want complete, pristine sets and specific editions, so most well-used household sets sell for very little.
If you want to recoup any value, check for first editions or intact illustrated volumes and list clear photos.
Broken CD Cases
If you find cracked or missing-hinge CD cases, don’t expect much resale value. You’re selling function and protection, and damaged cases fail both.
Buyers look for complete, clean packaging; damaged plastic usually gets tossed. Consider recycling the plastic locally or bundling usable pieces for DIY projects instead.
Dusty Cassette Tapes
You might think your old mixtapes are treasure, but most cassettes fetch very little today. Only sealed, rare, or culturally important releases attract collectors, and common albums sell for pennies.
Condition matters a lot; mold, stretched tape, or broken shells cut value further. Check guides on valuable tapes like this list of most valuable cassette tapes in 2025 before you toss anything.
Faded Calendars from 1990s
You might find old 1990s calendars in drawers and attics, their colors washed and pages brittle.
They often feature dated pop-culture themes or advertising that limits collector appeal.
Because mass print runs and cheap paper make them common, resale prices stay low.
Occasional niches—like calendars signed by a notable artist—can fetch a little more, but most sell for pocket change.
Used Ink Cartridges
You probably keep old cartridges “just in case,” but most used ones fetch almost nothing on resale. Empty or partly used cartridges have limited demand because refilling is cheap and unreliable for buyers.
Recycling programs often accept them for free, so selling feels like extra effort. If you do sell, expect only a few dollars and a lot of listings that don’t move.
Outdated Phone Chargers
You probably have a tangle of old chargers in a drawer that nobody wants. Most older chargers use proprietary plugs or slower charging standards, so buyers skip them for USB-C or wireless options.
Even branded chargers lose value if they don’t support fast charging or have visible wear. If you want to recoup anything, sell them bundled or recycle through an electronics program instead of expecting much resale cash.
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