Boomer parents are leaving a lot more behind to their families. They had disposable income during the height of consumerism. Some almost didn’t know what to do with it, so they had hobbies and considered some of their collections ‘investments.’
Nick Fox has a channel called Millennial Inheritance where he shares the stories of his viewers and the ‘valuables’ they’ve been left by loved ones. Photos and videos show the crammed shelves and stacked boxes of recognizable collections such as Longaberger baskets, Franklin Mint plates, and Precious Moments figurines. Fox explains that many of these collections were a successful sale device called ‘manufactured scarcity.’ Remember the Beanie Baby craze of the 1990s? How many well-meaning family members thought they were ‘investing’ and could turn it all to help cover their grandchild’s college tuition? Today, the recipients of a storage room full of bean-filled plushies can try to sell them on eBay but it’s probably not worth the effort.
Limited Edition items coming with a Certificate of Authenticity pushed the idea the buyer had something of real value. And now those who inherited that stuff are not sure if it should be sold or tossed. We feel your pain. The task of sorting through an entire house of items is overwhelming. GoLoadUp posted an article with a practical checklist for the project.
It’s important to understand if a vintage sports car is discovered under all that stuff, it deserves an expert appraiser. Many of our clients come to us asking, ‘How do I sell my Classic Porsche?’ and learn very quickly they have more than an ‘old car.’
If you’ve found a classic Porsche in the garage, is it the right size for us?
Passionate car collectors can be big hobbyists too. We’ve seen classic car enthusiasts with a serious car kit habit. They might have put together shelves of classic Porsche 911s and classic Jaguars from various eras. Collectible kits may have some value too. But if you’ve found a human-sized classic car in the garage, that’s when we are ready to show up and help! Unlike the manufactured scarcity of a worthless collectible item, a classic Mercedes is worth something. The final valuation does depend on various factors such as originality, condition, make, and model. It can also depend on things you might find in the trunk, such as maintenance history and original paperwork. When asking ‘how do I sell my classic Mercedes, Porsche or Jaguar,’ the extras help bring in a nice cash offer.
For example, our site is offering a 1969 Porsche 911 in a unique Crystal Blue color. It has traveled the world and received a comprehensive restoration in Germany. Or look at a recently sold 1966 Jaguar E-Type Coupe which was well-stored since 1986. It came with a Jaguar Heritage Certificate verifying that the car retained its original engine, transmission, and color.
And if you have a classic Mercedes, call us too. There is value in a classic car in any condition, and it can exceed the original price. If you’ve found a classic car in the garage, call us. We can value it, make a cash offer, and help remove it. Then you may feel a little better with real money in the bank after sorting through the rest of your inherited stuff.