Have you wondered what to do with your old VHS tapes? Here are the best places to sell VHS tapes for cash.
Whether you want to declutter your space or make extra cash, I have got you covered. From Facebook Marketplace to Reddit, I’ll walk you through the different places where you can sell VHS tapes.
Some VHS tapes may only sell for $1, whereas others have sold for over $10,000 (I’m not kidding!). So, it may be worth it to see what you have!
In this article, we’ll go over the strategies to turn your old VHS tapes into cash and learn things like:
- Best places to sell VHS tapes
- How much you can make selling VHS tapes
- Which old VHS tapes are worth the most money today
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Best Places To Sell VHS Tapes
Below are the best places to sell VHS tapes for extra money.
1. eBay
eBay is one of the best platforms for selling items like VHS tapes due to its massive global audience. This means more eyes will see your listing and increase your chances of selling VHS tapes.
Also, eBay is a trusted platform (pretty much everyone has heard of this site), so the seller and buyer have confidence in the purchasing process.
To sell a VHS tape on eBay, create a listing providing important details like the title, condition, if the VHS tape is still in its original packaging or shrink-wrap, and any other important information. You’ll want to make sure to include high-quality photos of the tapes to give potential buyers a good idea of what they might purchase.
2. Amazon
Yes, you can sell VHS tapes on Amazon. Keep in mind that Amazon has specific requirements for selling VHS tapes, including condition, packaging, and fulfillment methods.
Selling on Amazon has a lot of benefits, including:
- Large customer base, giving you access to millions of potential buyers
- Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) program, so you can store items in Amazon’s fulfillment centers, allowing for faster shipping
- While Amazon charges for selling on their platform, their fees are competitive relative to other platforms
- Amazon handles customer service inquiries and returns
- People trust Amazon, which lends credibility to your listings
To successfully sell VHS tapes on Amazon, you need to create an Amazon Seller Account, create listings for your VHS tapes, and choose fulfillment options.
3. Etsy
You can sell VHS tapes on Etsy as long as the VHS tape is unique or vintage (which, I would think would be almost any VHS tape because almost all of them would be vintage?).
Etsy is a great place to sell VHS tapes due to the collectors’ audience and people who appreciate nostalgic items like VHS tapes. I just looked and there are a lot of VHS tapes for sale on Etsy, so this is definitely a popular spot to buy and sell VHS movies.
To get started selling VHS tapes on Etsy, you need to create an Etsy seller account, set up your shop, list your VHS tapes, price your items, and have great customer service (of course).
4. Facebook Marketplace
Selling VHS tapes on Facebook Marketplace is a great idea because of the large customer base, but also the ability to sell locally.
So, if you want to sell your VHS tapes near you, then this is a great place to start.
To get started selling on Facebook Marketplace, you need a Facebook account (which, you probably already have). Then, head to the Facebook Marketplace tab and create a listing. You’ll fill out required fields like title, price, category, description, and location. Add high-quality photos and provide details on the VHS tape such as the condition and any special features.
5. VHS fan’s Facebook groups
Yes, there are VHS fan’s Facebook groups, and quite a few. This is one of the best places to sell VHS tapes online for cash. These groups help you connect with VHS fans to buy, sell, and trade VHS tapes.
Here are a few VHS fans’ Facebook groups:
There are many VHS-related groups on Facebook, so make sure to search for groups using keywords like “VHS collectors” or “VHS tapes”.
6. Garage sale
One of the easiest and best places to sell VHS tapes for cash is by having a garage sale.
Selling VHS tapes at your very own garage sale is a great idea because you’re selling locally, don’t have to worry about shipping, and can get cash right away for it. You can also sell any other items around your house and de-clutter with a garage sale.
To have a successful garage sale, here are some helpful tips:
- Promote your garage sale on local Facebook groups, flyers around town, and community bulletin boards
- Set up items neatly so they are easy to browse
- Price items appropriately by seeing what similar items go for online and at other garage sales
- Be flexible with negotiations
- Post up signs around your neighborhood so people know where your garage sale is and more importantly, take down the signs when the garage sale is over.
Now, you most likely won’t get the most amount of money per VHS movie that you sell (typically, you would sell them for $1 or less, depending on the movie), but if you have a lot of VHS tapes to sell, then this can be a quick and easy way to get rid of them.
7. Mercari
Mercari is a great app for selling VHS tapes. It has millions of users, so lots of people can see your tapes. It’s easy to list items on Mercari, and they offer different shipping options. You can even use prepaid labels to make shipping faster and easier.
Mercari has seller protection policies to keep you safe from fraud. These protections help with disputes, unauthorized returns, and fake transactions. You can set your prices, and there’s a “Make an Offer” feature to help you sell faster. This makes Mercari a safe and flexible place to sell your items.
8. Pawn stores
Pawn stores are a great place to sell VHS tapes if you want quick cash. You don’t have to worry about shipping, and you can negotiate the price. There might be several pawn stores near you, so you can check which one offers the most money for your tapes.
There are some downsides to selling VHS tapes to a pawn shop. You might get less money than you would online because the pawn shop needs to make a profit. Also, pawn shops might not focus on VHS tapes (after all, they do need to sell them, and how many people go to a pawn store to buy an old VHS tape? Probably not many.), so it’s a good idea to call ahead and check before you go.
9. OfferUp
OfferUp is great for selling VHS tapes because it connects you with local buyers. This means you don’t have to deal with shipping.
You can also negotiate prices on the app and attract more buyers. Plus, there are no listing fees or commissions, so you keep all the money you make.
10. Thrift stores
Selling your VHS tapes at thrift stores can be a good option, but you need to check their policies and see if they accept VHS tapes for donation or purchase. Not all thrift stores buy VHS tapes due to limited demand space constraints, or the condition of your VHS tapes.
Before driving to any thrift stores, contact them or check their website to see the buying policies. If thrift stores do accept VHS tapes, they’ll likely have specific criteria for what they can accept, such as popular titles, condition, or collectible editions. You need to also keep in mind that thrift stores will offer a lower price than what you’d earn if you sold on a marketplace.
My sister has sold many VHS tapes to thrift stores over the years, so I know this is a real way to make extra money selling VHS tapes.
11. Antique stores
If you’re having a hard time selling your VHS tape on a marketplace, you may want to try selling VHS tapes at antique stores. There may be an antique store in your area that sells VHS tapes or you could even set up a booth.
Before heading to any antique stores, call them and ask if they accept VHS tapes. Some antique stores may not accept these items since they are not officially considered antique and their clientele are usually looking for rare and historical items.
I have personally seen many VHS tapes for sale at antique stores, but I do not know how well they sell.
12. Craigslist
You can sell VHS tapes on Craigslist and find local buyers. Just go to the Craigslist website, click on the “For Sale” section, and create a new listing. You’ll want to write a good title, set a price, and add details about the tapes.
When selling items on Craigslist, it’s important to choose a meeting place. Pick a well-lit, public spot like a police station parking lot. This helps keep both you and the buyer safe.
13. Flea markets
Flea markets are a popular spot for selling VHS tapes and if you have a lot of VHS tapes, this could be a good spot to sell. You’ll want to research flea markets in your area and check their website for info on vendor requirements and booth rental fees.
When setting up your flea market booth, organize your VHS tapes by categories or genres to make browsing easier for shoppers. Price your tapes based on their condition, rarity, and demand.
14. Reddit
Believe it or not, you can sell VHS tapes on Reddit through the r/VHS subreddit. You’ll need to join Reddit and subscribe to the VHS subreddit. Then, you can create a selling post detailing the VHS tapes you’re selling. You’ll want to include important information like titles, genres, conditions, and any special features.
My sister has actually bought an old VHS movie from Reddit. She couldn’t remember the name of it and posted it in a forum with some hints. It was a favorite movie of hers, and she and her friends were trying to remember the name. Someone commented and instantly knew the name, and they also had it for sale. She bought it and it was a win-win for everyone!
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about selling VHS tapes for money.
What is a VHS tape?
VHS stands for Video Home System. It’s a kind of tape used to watch movies at home. VHS tapes come in plastic cases with reels inside, and the tape has a magnetic coating to store video and sound. People used these to watch movies in the 90s and early 2000s with their VCR.
Do people really buy old VHS tapes? Why?
Although VHS tapes are not nearly as popular as they once were, people still love buying them. Just like people are getting back into records and record players for music, VHS tapes are making a comeback due to their nostalgia and hipster vibe. People also like collecting VHS tapes and use them as a way to preserve this type of media.
Is it worth selling old VHS tapes?
Yes, it can be worth it to sell old VHS tapes, especially if you have a lot of them cluttering your home. You may even have a rare VHS tape that’s worth a decent amount of money.
How do I know if my VHS tapes are worth money?
It’s easy to find out if your VHS tapes are worth money with a quick Google or eBay search. To see if your VHS tape is worth money, you can do the following:
- Search the title of your VHS tape online
- Look up your VHS tape on a marketplace to see similar listings
- Look at price guide sites like PriceCharting.com
- Think about the condition of the VHS tape (does the movie actually play or is it broken?)
What old VHS tapes are worth money today?
The types of old VHS tapes that are worth money include limited editions, out-of-print titles, cult classics, foreign films, movies that are a part of a VHS collection, Disney movies, and early releases. Blockbuster films from the 1970s-1980s, 1980s horror films, and VHS tapes that are still in packaging can go for a lot of money too sometimes.
Some examples include:
- The Goonie’s
- Dumbo
- E.T.
- 101 Dalmatian’s
- Back To The Future
- The Lion King
- The Fast and the Furious
- Beauty and the Beast
- Star Wars
- Alladin (1992)
- Twister
- A Nightmare on Elm Street
For example, there’s a listing for The Goonies (first print, graded, etc.) on eBay priced at $28,500. However, you can also find used copies selling for around $50, which is still a decent amount of money for an old VHS tape!
Is there a collectors market for VHS tapes?
Yes, there is a collectors market for VHS tapes. People gravitate toward VHS tapes due to their nostalgia, physical media appeal, rarity, and exclusivity. Certain VHS tapes can be worth quite a lot of money, even in the $10,000+ range.
What Disney VHS is worth the most?
Several Disney VHS tapes are valuable among collectors, such as:
- Black Diamond Collection (tapes released in the 80s with titles such as Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Aladdin)
- Limited Edition releases (titles like The Lion King, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Cinderella)
- Banned or recalled tapes (movies like the original The Little Mermaid)
Best Places To Sell VHS Tapes – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on the best places to sell VHS tapes to make extra money.
Selling VHS tapes can be a great way to make extra money and declutter your home. I highly recommend that you research your titles (if you have the time!) thoroughly so you’re getting a fair price for your VHS tapes.
There are many online marketplaces, auctions, and even local stores where you can sell your VHS tapes. Some are worth more than others, such as tapes that had limited releases or are in mint-condition.
Are you interested in selling VHS tapes for money?
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