Could some of your ‘junk’ actually be quite valuable?
Items people think are ‘junk’ are often valuable, says TV auctioneer Angus Ashworth. By
JUST because your home isn’t full of antiques, doesn’t mean the contents have no resale value. In fact, your items may actually be sought-after on the auction market, and have a substantial value.
“I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve seen somebody about to chuck something out that’s incredibly valuable and I’ve gone, ‘Nooooo!’” says auctioneer Angus Ashworth, a house-clearance expert who stars in the new TV series The Yorkshire Auction House on Really.
“Often, you’ll go round to a house where they’re apologising for there being nothing worthwhile, and before you know it, things tot up — sometimes houses may not have any one item that’s of huge value, but there might be a lot of items that are worth £40-£60, and if there’s 100 like that, it adds up.”
But how can you spot if your home contents are valuable? Ashworth gives his expert advice…
Do things need to be old to be valuable?
“There’s a misconception that because something’s old, it’s valuable, but that’s not always the case,” explains Ashworth. “There are obviously markets that are after specific antiques, but nowadays, generally, it’s more about the interior look and the practicality of an item that can make it more valuable.
“You could have something that’s relatively modern, but very desirable — a lot of people overlook more modern items and think they don’t have a value. Also, quirky things — anything that’s a bit different — people like those and they always sell, because you can’t just go and get another one.”
Look out for lighting
“Lighting’s very popular — table lamps, or even light shades,” he says. “They’ve gone out of fashion a little now, but enamel, industrial shades became hugely fashionable. I used to find them in garages all the time and they could fetch £50-£100. Nostalgia drives the market Middle-aged people with disposable income are harking back to the things they loved, and possibly never owned as children, and buying them now instead, explains Ashworth.
“So, when you were young if your parents couldn’t afford that Chopper bike for you, you’ve got the money now and think, ‘I always wanted one of those as a kid’. It’s reliving that nostalgia.”
Tot up the tech
Ashworth says old technology — like early games consoles such as Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Sega Mega Drive and Master System — is also popular. “The sort of things kids have when they’re younger, that get stuffed in a cupboard when they’ve left home, are actually becoming really collectable,” he says.
Could something you bought new still be valuable? ”Absolutely,” stresses Ashworth. “Sometimes we’ve had modern things in an auction that have sold for more than you can buy them new. Just because you bought something new three years ago, for example, doesn’t mean it’s lost all its value.”
Do things have to be in pristine condition to be worth money?
Condition is very important, says Ashworth, but if something’s really rare and in poor condition, it’s still got value. He once sold a Bohemian glass vase for £1,400 despite it having a “serious chip” in it, and points out: “If something’s rare enough, people will overlook things like that.”
With antiques that are hundreds of years old, wear and tear is, of course, more likely. “Ultimately, something in great condition will always sell better than something in poor condition.”
The Yorkshire Auction House, March 22, 9pm on Really