Selling your vintage items online - everything you need to know to start side-hustle

As the fashion from our youth hits the stores in the inevitable style cycle of each generation, it’s a good reminder that we all have things that might now be "vintage" which could net some extra cash. Here’s how to make quick money with your vintage stuff.

But what counts as vintage? You might have heard of the terms retro, vintage, and antique. While there is no official bracket for how old something has to be to qualify for each of these terms, there are some handy rough guidelines to consider.

Vintage is something older than 20 years, while "true vintage" is an item that is over 50 years old. Antiques are over 100 years old, so anything dated from 1923 or earlier is an official antique. You might hear the term "retro" sometimes used instead of (or as well as) vintage, but this is more of a style than an age, usually indicating an item which is a bit kitsch and follows styles from the 1950s, 1960s, or 1970s generally.

What Kind of Vintage Items Make Money?

It’s amazing what you can find around your home that’s no longer sparking joy for you, but could have a wonderful new life elsewhere. Decluttering your home is a great way to find extra cash, too!

Vintage clothing always does well on the second-hand market. Make sure it is clean, and if you’re advertising it online with a company like Vinted or DePop be honest about the description. If there is some wear, a small stain, or the sizing is non-standard, list it. People expect vintage clothing to have been worn and used, so as long as you state the condition it is in on a sales listing you won’t have problems selling it.

Vintage vinyl is a fantastic way to make money. Vinyl records have a reliable second-hand market, both online and at flea markets and thrift events. Make sure you package your vinyl LPs really well if you’re posting them, because they are incredibly fragile. Research reasonable prices on online sites like Ebay to get an idea of what your (or your parents’) vinyl collection could sell for.

Vintage toys are always a winner, too. From Polly Pocket to original Barbies, classic Hot Wheels to a mint condition original Playstation, there is a market for these kind of collectibles. In the same vein, vintage memorabilia for films, television series, and bands, can sell for a good chunk of cash if they’re in pristine condition.

What About Larger Vintage Items?

There is a massive market for vintage cars in good condition, and the same for motorbikes too. We’re not talking about the family runaround that’s been through three learner drivers, two hundred thousand miles, and has had more parts replaced than Trevor’s broomstick. Classic vintage cars – such as those from the 1970s or earlier – that have been restored or spent most of their time in the garage other than a quick pootle on summer days will always sell well as there is a large specialist market for them.

Flipping vintage furniture is an increasingly common way for people to make money on the side. It takes a lot more effort than just clearing out your loft, but if you have the space (such as a garage) and you’re a bit handy with tools and carpentry, it’s worth considering. You can find second-hand furniture in charity shops and house clearance warehouses for a good steal and a little bit of elbow grease to repair bits and spruce the furniture up.

Where Can I Sell My Vintage Items?

Vintage markets are a popular activity for people looking for something to do at the weekend. You might find some luck at your local car boot sale if you only have a one-off loft clearance to get rid of, but if you’re taking your time to source and sell vintage items, it’s worth looking at the value of getting a stall at a local pop-up market.

There are plenty of places to sell vintage items online, too. The classic, eBay, is reliable and offers some seller protections if your customer isn’t happy. You can also look at sites such as Vinted, Spock, and DePop or your local Facebook Marketplace groups.

If you have an entire collection of something (such as an inherited collection of porcelain dolls you have no idea what to do with and definitely don’t want in your loft anymore since you watched Annabelle last Halloween), it could be worth going to a specialist. Google your collection type to find a specialist near you – and if there isn’t one local, many will offer an estimate of your collection value if you send detailed photographs. If they like your vintage collection, they might offer to buy as a job lot, so you will sell at a discount but it will get everything sold in one go.

Beware the Tax Rules

If you’re selling your own second-hand items to clear some clutter on auction sites or local marketplace forums, and it’s not a regular activity but happens perhaps once or twice a year, you probably won’t need to pay tax on your sales.

However, if you want to start ‘thrifting and flipping’ to make money from vintage items as a regular side hustle, tax payment is required. If your turnover is under £1,000 after expenses in the tax year, you don’t need to declare it to HMRC. If you’re selling a lot of things and make more than £1,000 in any tax year, you’ll need to declare it through Self Assessment.

Perhaps one often-forgotten thing about second-hand vintage sales is Capital Gains Tax. Yes, really! If you sell an item with a price tag over £3,000, you could be liable for CGT (unless it’s a car). This tax is paid on the profit rather than the full price – so if you bought your now-ex an engagement ring worth £5,000 and you’ve just sold it for £7,000, CGT only applies for the £2,000 difference.

Now you know what kind of vintage items have a market, where to sell them, and if you need to pay tax, there’s no more excuse: time to raid the attic!