Shopping at yard, estate, and garage sales are perfect opportunities to pick items for resale. Collectible items can be resold to antique shops or sold on eBay. Here are some solid tips in picking for profit:

Deciding on items to purchase is an important component of buying for resale. Depending on where you live, items of value vary. Items made of metal, wood, and durable products are smart choices. If an item is plastic or is cheaply constructed, don’t waste your time and keep looking for older items. Condition is of extreme importance. If a piece doesn’t work, needs repair, is split, or stained, forget it. Do not purchase collectibles with such flaws. Their value has been destroyed.

Hummel figurines are collectible. These porcelain figurines depict children. Research “Hummel figurine” on the Internet and familiarize yourself with what they look like. Sites dedicated to their hallmarks can help you date pieces. Fine china made in England is another sought-after collectible. English china is found easily and is usually a magnificent bargain. Under the plates, teapots, and cups you can find the maker’s mark. Look for coveted makers such as Royal Doulton, Johnson Brothers, Wedgwood, Spode, Minton and Worcester.

Salt and pepper shakers and head vases are finds worth buying, especially figural items. Salt and pepper shakers in the figural form of cartoon characters, chefs, children and cars are most desirable. Head vases are ceramic planters that are formed to resemble a head of a woman. They were used as planters decades ago. Disney-related items are also in high demand, like their music boxes, figures of porcelain, and old card games. Disney has dated many items and often creates new figures annually. This ensures a collectible value because the same mold is seldom used for more than a year or two.

Old and complete board games that are based on vintage  television shows and movies are a hit for collectors.  Think Mork and Mindy, Star Wars, Star Trek and other successful shows. Metal lunch boxes with famous television stars, shows, and musical artists command high prices. Kid toys are always a good bet, if they are old enough and in good condition. Barbie and Ken dolls and accessories and Madam Alexander dolls (which usually have jointed heads and arms with rubber bands) are extremely collectible.

Old kitchenware has a unique market. Griswold iron pans and baking molds for corn bread are popular. Vintage juicers, mixers, meat grinders and Fire King cookware are prized items. Even vintage drinking glasses and milk bottles and racks bring profit.

Advertising items are desired memorabilia. Examples include ashtrays, matchbook covers, and empty containers of old bath or perfume bottles.  Advertising posters, premiums that were in cereal boxes, airline and railroad china, Joe Camel items and jackets are sought after because the  Camel cigarette company was forced to get rid of their Joe Camel character. As a result anything with Joe Camel is collectible. Surprisingly, old paper Coca-Cola printed ads from magazines have buyers. Advertising is easy to find and antique stores are always looking to replenish their supply.

Old postcards, which depict places and people of long ago, are hot topics. Letters and pictures from World War I or World War II are gems. Calendars, medals, uniforms, books, and many other items from wartime are sought after prizes. Don’t forget to look for unusual postage stamps on old letters. You could find a rare one among the bunch. LIFE and Playboy magazines are always in style.

Vintage clothing, especially jackets, have found high resale value on Etsy’s online marketplace. The fancy embroidery and beading of vintage clothing cannot be found in today’s mass-manufactured varieties. Bakelite jewelry and old rhinestone costume jewelry, brooches, necklaces and rings are hot items to buy for profit. (Avoid the clip-on earrings as they are too uncomfortable and do not resell well.)  Look for old hairbrush sets, art prints, most books, Avon bottles, Jim Beam bottles, children’s clothing, shoes, and new children’s toys. Start small and keep track of the items you have collected. Record what you paid for them and what you need to sell them for to secure a profit.

Shopping and picking collectibles for profit is an easy method of earning extra cash. Shop yard and estate sales early. Knowing what to buy as well as items to avoid will start you earning supplemental income.