| A funny thing has happened since sites like eBay | | | | Vintage items are defined differently depending on the |
| came along. Things that we used to just throw in the | | | | category in which you are interested. One of the most |
| garbage or box up and take to the thrift store have | | | | popular "vintage" categories is clothing. Although the |
| become collectible. If you look at all of the vintage stuff | | | | term is used rather loosely, vintage clothing is generally |
| being sold on eBay, it is amazing that we ever throw | | | | agreed to be items dating from the 1920s through the |
| anything away. I say that because it seems that no | | | | 1970s. Many people purchase vintage clothing for their |
| matter what it is that you might be thinking about selling, | | | | personal use and actually wear the items either |
| somebody is a ready and willing collector if the price is | | | | because they enjoy the look or feel of them. Antique |
| right. | | | | clothing is older than vintage and is usually not |
| Before you go off on any large scale cleaning purges | | | | purchased with the intention of actually wearing it. |
| in your basement or attic, it could be very much worth | | | | These very old items might be seen on display in |
| your time to take a moment and browse through | | | | museums or other such displays commemorating |
| eBay's categories and listings. If you are throwing | | | | fashions of the past. Finally, "retro" clothing consists of |
| away something that was made before 1990, there | | | | items originating in the 1980s and 1990s. |
| might be someone looking to add it to their vintage | | | | Other categories will show variations in the years |
| collection. It seems that people are feeling nostalgic | | | | defining their eras. Computers, for example, will not |
| about the items they grew up with during the 1970s | | | | have any items falling into the antique category, but |
| and 1980s. | | | | models dating from the 1980s are certainly considered |
| Two very popular categories where people sell off | | | | vintage. This is due to the fact that changes in |
| their old merchandise are toys and clothing. Both of | | | | computers and computing have been dramatic from |
| these are filled with listings put up by people who dug | | | | year to year. A model from the 1980s is certainly a |
| out the old bags and boxes filled with things like | | | | piece of technological history because so many |
| Member's Only Jackets, Smurfs, concert shirts, GI Joe | | | | generations of improvements have come and been |
| figures, and any number of relics from days gone by. | | | | improved upon since they were introduced. |
| People in their thirties through fifties are snapping these | | | | Next time you start cleaning house, compare some of |
| old items up. What they do with their collectibles is a | | | | the older items you find to what is available on eBay. If |
| very personal choice. Some may be purchasing | | | | it is an older item, include the word "vintage" in your |
| clothes to wear, but I imagine most of the toys are | | | | search. You may be surprised to find that you have |
| being displayed unless the buyers are getting them for | | | | some hidden treasure sitting in your attic. |
| their own children to play with and experience. | | | | |