Your old toys: Trash 'em or cash 'em?

Toys have certainly changed with the times. From the simple mechanics of the slinky to the multi-dimensional interactive games of today, children have always longed for the newest "it" toy. Some have survived the test of time, such as LEGOs (first introduced in 1934), Mattel Barbie Dolls, and the Rubik's Cube (1978), while others faded out as quickly as they arrived (remember Furbies and Tomagotchis?). Today, many old toys are not worth much besides their sentimental value, but if you happen to have part of a collectible set or original packaging, you might also have a lot of resell value potential. In honor of Pledge 5's upcoming events benefiting Toys for Tots, here are some examples of the toy categories still haulin' in enough cash to fill even the largest Tonka Dump Truck!

Metal lunch boxes

In the mid 1980s the classic metal lunch box was replaced with plastic, and it didn't take long for them to become highly sought after items. Toppie the Elephant is one of the rarest characters, and sells for up to $4,000. A Beatles fan will easily pay $1,000 for a lunch box featuring the iconic group, and lunch boxes that once sold for a quarter, such as a Flying Nun box, can sell for many, many times their original value (a Flying Nun now goes for around $150).

How do collectors decide the value? The central factors are the popularity of the characters, rarity and condition, which are graded on a scale of 1 to 10. Most collectors will turn away from anything less than a 7, which translates into average wear, some rust and a maybe a minor ding in the thermos.

Action figures
Collectible action figures are one of the categories that still maintain a large fan base. Two of the most notable lines of action figures are the original Star Wars series and G.I. Joe. While Star Wars figures still maintain value even without the original box, G.I. Joes receive the highest bids with packaging intact. The most valuable Star Wars figure is the "Telescoping Lightsaber" Darth Vader, which was one of the first figures produced in 1978 and can sell for up to $6,000!

Surprisingly, the most valuable G.I. Joe isn't a Joe at all, but rather the G.I. Nurse that flopped with little boys in 1967, but is a hit with collectors today. In the original box a seller can expect to earn $3,500.

Baseball cards

Cards from Topp's 1952 Series

With baseball cards, it's all about the player, not the age. Legends such as Mickey Mantle, Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth are always valuable, as are cards for some rookies who look promising. Some other things to consider when assesing the value of your baseball cards are that cards issued from 1988 to 1993were printed in huge quantities and are unlikely to go for much. However, some of the valuable cards were printed after 1993, when baseball-card companies began issuing expensive card series with limited print runs. The 1997 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Masterpiece series, for example, included only three Ken Griffey Jr. cards, and two have already sold for at least $14,000 each!

Topps's 1952 series, known as an all-star year for baseball cards, bring anywhere from $35 to $400. But to be valuable, a vintage card must rate at least an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10, which means it must be nearly flawless.

 Avoid...
There are a few items experts agree you shouldn't bet on becoming valuable in the long run. One is Beanie Babies. While a few rare Beanies can sell for some cash, overall they won't be worth much more in 20 years than today. Another item to avoid are collectible trains. These have truly become hobby items, as the majesty of trains is lost to the younger generations. In short, if there is no market and if an item promotes itself as "collectible," chances are you won't be able to earn much from holding on to these products.

Regardless if your old toys are worth money, they are always symbols of childhood memories. Pledge 5 is working with Toys for tots this November to help bring toys to children around the country, and especially here in the Gainesville area. On November 19th we will be throwing the Gainesville "Gifts" Back benefit concert at The Venue in downtown Gainesivlle,and on November 21st will be hosting a charity poker tournament at Ocala Poker and Jai-Alai. You can also donate toys at any property listed on ApartmentsinGainesville.com!

Be sure to bring joy to a child this holiday season. It's easy...Just donate a toy!

--The Pledge 5 Team