David Koch: The forgotten household items that could be worth thousands

A Brisbane woman’s LEGO collection went under the hammer earlier this year with an estimated value of $250,000.

Bidding quickly passed $500,000. The collection contained more than 2000 sets, many of them still sealed and “retired”, meaning they’re no longer available to buy new.

Of course, a collection like that is one thing. But it got me thinking what else are we chucking out without realising — or bothering to find out — if it’s worth something?

With household budgets copping yet another rate rise, it might be time to have a rummage through the cupboards, shed and garage to see if there’s any treasure hiding in all that “junk”.

Here’s where to look.

Start with your childhood: retro toys

If you hung on to your childhood toys, or your parents did, smart move. Those kid obsessions could be worth more than just happy memories today.

Vintage LEGO, die-cast cars, dolls, action figures, video games, comics, board games and Pokemon cards are all worth a dust-off.

Now, that doesn’t mean everything in the toy box is secretly worth a fortune. Sadly, your old collection of plastic dinosaurs probably isn’t going to pay off the mortgage (but someone with a dino-mad kid will gladly take them off your hands). Some toys, though, are worth checking for their value as collectables.

With LEGO, for instance, condition, completeness, the set number, original box and instructions, and whether the set has been retired can all affect value. But don’t automatically discard that storage box of mismatched bricks. A rare mini-figure hiding among them could be plastic gold. A quick search on BrickLink can give you an idea of what similar items are selling for.

That shoebox of Pokemon cards is also worth checking. Sites like cardtracker.au and LastSold.gg track Australian Pokemon sales, so you can check what similar cards have actually sold for based on the card, set, rarity and condition. Just because someone is asking $500 doesn’t mean it’s worth $500.

Other toys, from Matchbox cars and Barbie dolls to comics and action figures, have active collector markets, too, with some vintage and desirable pieces increasing significantly in value over time. eBay Australia’s 2025 collectables research found a rare 1970s Matchbox model had sold for $14,300.

Not every old toy is valuable. But it’s worth doing a quick search before throwing it on the council clean-up pile. You never know.

Then look for the boring stuff

This is where it gets interesting.

Stuff you might have dismissed as outdated, daggy or completely worthless could be exactly what someone else is looking for.

Think old tools, retro cameras and lenses, vinyl records, sewing machines, vintage designer clothes and typewriters. Things that can be surprisingly hard to replace once they’re no longer made.

An old record player, for example, can be worth anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred, with sought-after Pioneer turntables selling for more than $700 in Australia. Even old landline phones with rotary dials have a market, with recent Australian sales ranging from $30 to $80, depending on the model, condition and rarity.

The point is, enthusiast markets can be funny things.

Take Grandma’s old tea set — the one nobody wants. Before you give it a new home at the charity shop, turn the cups and plates over. Look for the maker’s mark, pattern name or number, then search for those exact details online.

Even if the whole set isn’t valuable or isn’t in great condition, a collector might be looking for that one missing cup or saucer.

What looks like rubbish to you might be exactly what someone else has been hunting for. A restorer might just need that hard-to-find spare part or replacement piece. A quick Google search could tell you whether there’s a market.

And don’t forget the once-loved stuff gathering dust. Old camping gear, outgrown bikes and even wedding dresses can all find a second life, and a buyer, on sites such as Stillwhite.

So have a little treasure hunt at home. Open the cupboards. Check the shed. Look under the bed. Dig through those boxes you haven’t opened since who knows when. You might find value where you least expect it.

Where to sell it

Once you’ve found your hidden treasure, you need to find it a new home.

For everyday household items, Facebook Marketplace, local buy, swap and sell groups and Gumtree are easy places to start, especially for bulky items.

For smaller, identifiable collectables, try bespoke collectable marketplaces and eBay.

If you’ve uncovered something genuinely special, such as a serious collection, rare comic, valuable toy or antique, consider a specialist auction house such as Leonard Joel, Lawsons or Lugosi Auctioneers & Valuers.

But wherever you list it, you should:

• Clean it up: Include accessories and repair it where appropriate.
• Take good photos: Show it clearly from every angle, including any damage.
• Check sold prices: See what similar items have actually sold for.
• Be honest: List flaws and use clear, accurate descriptions.
• Be a good seller: Communicate promptly and post quickly once it sells.

Your trash could be someone else’s treasure and the golden rule is simple: don’t throw something out until you’ve spent five minutes finding out what it is.

Five minutes on Google could be the difference between a trip to the tip and a few hundred dollars in the bank. Happy treasure hunting.

* Information and opinions provided in this column are general in nature and have been prepared for educational purposes only. Always seek personal financial advice tailored to your specific needs before making financial and investment decisions.