How to Make Money Selling VHS Tapes On Amazon and Ebay
Convert Your VHS Tapes To DVD
Make Money Selling VHS Tapes Online
Here's a bunch of information that really belongs in a book (hmmm maybe some day.) I remember as a kid growing up in the 90's we always watched VHS tapes. Most people laugh at the thought of buying or selling them, and would sooner throw them away than check to see if they are worth anything. If it is one thing I have learned as a picker, it is that every single type of item has value in some way and there is always a "Holy Grail" of that category. Just as there are DVDs that I have sold for over $120 (go look up "Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book" dvd on amazon), there are VHS tapes which I have sold for over $85. Here's a quick tip for you. Real quick, go see if you can find yourself a copy of "The Adventures Of Dudley the Dragon : Dudley's Tea Party". I bet you would be surprised at the cost you would have to pay for it! This is just one quick example of the profit that can be found in VHS tapes. Everywhere I go I can pick up VHS tapes for $1 or less, even new. I have sold this VHS in the past for over $70 in rough shape. If you buy something for $1 and sell it for $70, that is a 7000% return on investment. That's not bad at all!
I know it will probably anger a lot of pickers that I am writing this article, but I don't mind sharing because to be completely honest, there are a lot of VHS tapes, and "Joe Shmoe" is not going to find the good ones. Only a serious picker is going to find them, and perhaps you are, or will become that serious picker. If that is the case, then good for you! Either way, if you are meant to be one, then you were meant to be one before I wrote this hub!
The best type of VHS tapes to look for are obviously new, sealed tapes. I would be very careful to make sure that they are sealed because sometimes a VHS tape will be sealed by someone else other than the factory! If you sell one like this that you thought was new, you can get in a lot of trouble and it is a very tough position to defend yourself from! I would be careful when trying to buy new sealed VHS tapes on Ebay because there are so many amateur sellers who don't even realize this problem.
The Front Of A VHS Tape
Just because a VHS is factory sealed new, it does not make it worth a lot automatically. Most VHS tapes are completely worthless even in new condition. Very few VHS will be worth anything at all, and it is tough to tell which are good without a scanner. The first thing you should do is use the "Ibookseller" app for an Iphone. I am not too sure what to use for a droid, sorry. I use "Ibookseller" because it gives accurate, up to date prices and sales rank. Almost all VHS tapes are slow sellers no matter where or how you sell them. Most children's VHS tapes sell very quickly and can be sold for around $4 - $6 each plus shipping if they are in good condition and $8 - $10 for good ones if they are new.
The best kind of VHS tapes to sell are old, out of production ones. Anything old that is not available on DVD will most likely be worth something. Surprisingly, a lot of work out tapes are worth something, especially if new. I have once sold a Jane Fonda VHS tape used for $15. Other good sellers for VHS are strange ones that talk about conspiracy theories and documentaries. Basically what it comes down to is, if it is unavailable or very expensive on DVD, people will buy it on VHS. Non Fiction is more likely to be a desirable VHS but I would say this is much less likely the case than it is with books. Most non fiction books are worthless.
Exposing The Magnetic Strip
VHS tapes are very reliable and much more durable than DVDs, but they should be tested before you sell them to ensure that they work. I do a physical inspection of each VHS I sell. I describe the box and the VHS carefully. I look for discoloration of the ribbon of the tape and damage to the VHS. It is important to note any imperfections and to avoid those that have them in the first place. Having and maintaining top notch feedback is essential and means that your items will sell faster, and for more money.
I usually ship my VHS tapes first class mail with B-flute cardboard wrapping protection around them. I find that shipping them first class mail is much safer and pleases customers much more and that it is worth the extra 40 cents or so more than media mail. I always ship expensive items first class mail or priority mail and I used signature confirmation on items over or around $100. I would not ship expensive items media mail because the USPS is very rough on media mail.
VHS tapes are great for selling online because they are very easy to store and they are not as heavy as books for the same space. I am fairly certain that if you want anything near market value for VHS tapes, you absolutely must sell them online. VHS usually have dust sleeves or clam shell cases, and it is much easier to come across a VHS that is in working order than a DVD because so many DVDs are scratched horribly. I do not buy VHS which are missing their sleeve or clam shell unless they are worth a lot because it is like a bomb waiting to explode. I store my VHS that I have for sale as shown in the picture. I picked up these shelves at Walmart reasonably cheap and they do the trick.
A Plastic Storage Case For VHS Tapes
I prefer to sell my VHS on Amazon because I feel that there is more traffic, but VHS do sell well on Ebay as well. It's up to you, but I would always recommend selling new VHS on Amazon and I would suggest marking it up very high because it will sell. You will always get paid much higher prices on Amazon than on Ebay. Of course telling you this suggests that there are opportunities for Ebay arbitrage. It's a rough market out there and Ebay arbitrage can be a very dangerous game to play. More on this another time!
I hope you enjoyed this hub! If you liked it would you subscribe for more? Do you love treasure hunting, selling on Ebay, or just learning about cool vintage stuff? Check out my youtube channel for tons of videos about my adventures and hauls as well as tips, tricks, and countless bits of information!
Do you sell VHS online?
Comments
Interesting article, I didn't realize old VHS tapes could fetch such high prices. Good hub.
Well, like most people, I had no idea VHS tapes were worth much anymore! My family has a fair number, so I might just have to shuffle through! Thanks for the info!
- Author
Unfortunately most are worthless but some can be worth quite a bit, good luck!
Yeah..interesting..
Well thanks, Pickingprofits, This is great. It just never occurred to me that I could sell the hundreds of tapes that are stashed in the living room. My shelf looks quite a bit like yours!
Maybe someone has published a VHS price guide?
- Author
The best way to check it just by typing in the bar code numbers into the search bar at Amazon. It will tell you how much it is worth (approximately) new and used as well as how desirable it is. The lower the sales rank, the more popular it is.
My first business adventure was selling DVD's on Ebay for which I failed miserably at. I do however enjoy all your articles about your successes on E-bay. Voted Up and Shared.
I really thought VHS was dead. heh
- Author
Alive and well, but quality counts!
Great hub. I love this type of info. Following to read more of your stuff.
- Author
I'm so happy to know that you enjoyed my hub! Thanks for following me!
I'm devastated. I just threw out two boxes of tapes! Ugh!!
Looks like there's yet another section of Goodwill and other thrift stores that I can concentrate on. Thanks for the great information and references to your other sites.
Aloha!
Hi, pickingprofits, I have a lot of old VHS tapes. I must find out how much they are worth! Great Hub.
i found a you've been framed vhs selling 35$ lol
We have so many vhs tapes that I just want to get rid of them..I don't want to throw them away but can't use them all..
I wish I'd read this a few months back. I recently gave away lots of children's vhs tapes thinking they were worthless. After reading your hub, I've went to check on ebay and see some selling for £10 upwards. Oh well, I'll be looking in the charity shops now to see if I can get a hold of some to sell. Thanks for the super useful hub.
i have 300 vhs tapes childrens disney a great over 18 films is any one intrested in buying myen only i can't be bothed selling them on ebay or amazon x
Well I have a cabinet full of old vhs tapes. I will check them to see if they are worth anything.
I have several boxes of videos for sale with a range of titles. I have many children, action, thrillers and many others for sale.
I have like 3500-5000 vhs tapes stored at my moms i should really go through and see if i can't make a little money
I have a ben hur and ten commandments starring Charlton Heston on vhs for sale
Like the author said. Look for VHS tapes that are out of print, never made it to DVD. Most of the popular titles aren't worth as much as the older "B" movie titles. I went to a thrift store here locally and found hundreds of VHS tapes SEALED. They were $1 a piece. I used a scanner and found many to be worth $30-$300 on amazon. I will be going back for more soon.
What's a dvd?
I've never really thought of pre recorded tapes. I've found quite a lot of blank VHS tapes that were still factory sealed these sell really well on eBay. Great hub keep it up.
I have loads of musicals Al Molson story and Al Molson sings again
How do you know if a movie is worth anything? Is there a particular site that you use? Thank you!
I have a couple vhs classics that I saw had value and wondering who do I get in touch with to inform me more
I am seeing that the Disney VHS tapes can be good for those who have them still. Who would be best to go to if you want to see the tapes?
Great article!! I just sold an old VHS Of " Smokey and The Bandit" for $75.00. Would never have known.
Ive been buying, selling and collecting vhs for 35 plus yrs. Sold literally 1000's online, on ebay, stc. Check the facebook group VHS MISFITS IRONFIST BLISS and get reay to be blown away about the value of vhs. It's a fulltime job for some of us.
I have like 400 vhs tapes and also some DVDs would like to get rid of them all.
What about vhs that have fungus on the magnetic strip?
I have lots of Disney videos, box sets including Star wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future. All tapes in good condition and most boxes too, few slightly worn looking. Got various popular films Gladiator, Titanic to name a few. Would be happy sell on to someone who interested.
Thanks for the Hub information. I was just starting to try to figure out how to list these VHS's I have. Now I have a starting point.. Thank you so very much
A have Brand New VHS Blank Tapes for sale
Please assist
ive tried getting vhs tapes an most don't work so disappointed
Yes good article. Old what's a hub, lol. I looked on ebay and they selling some for $10k - I have those VHS tapes. I shall do the research. Thank you!
Are you local ? Where is your location? can I give you mine? at least somebody will benefit from them because I won't take the time to do it.
I have hundreds of VHS movies and don't have any idea what to do with them. HELP !!
sell tape movi
I have over 150 vhs tapes that I am looking to sell and a lot of disney ones too. I tried typing the bar code in the search bar on amazon and nothing comes up,please tell me how to do this as I am disabled and need to make some money for my meds and since I'm home I could do this online if its worth it
Walt Disney blackwater ones are worth alot of money i've seen some go for about $3000+
Just got five boxes of mostly new tapes from grand mother Thanks for telling what to do
I have a bunch of old western vhs tapes.
How much do you think i could get for the roy rogers tapes and the sunset carson tapes. Any info on this would help me a bunch. I have been looking it up and cant find info anywhere
Great Information !!!
I have a bunch of VHS tapes (including children's ones) and have been debating if I should Goodwill them or try to sell them. From what I can tell the article you posted was around 4 years ago. Do you think the same still applies today for selling VHS tapes or would I be better to Goodwill them? Also, do you know what the average price would be to ship one VHS tape (no insurance) via USPS--let's say from Albuquerque, NM to Atlanta, GA for instance?
I buy storage lockers and get tons of these! Gone with the wind, james bond, cartoons i dont evem remember and im 44. Great article. I was aboutto give up hope trying to sell. Will try online!
Where do I subscribe too? I want to see more. Im from NC. Grew up very poor. A good day for me as a kid was going to the landfill. Lol i picked.toys,purse,etc anything that wasnt broken. Yea i know..gross. Guess ive been a picker since i was 5 lol
My Father recently passed away and he has collection of many old VHS tapes. We do not have a VHS and wanted to try and sell some of them online or I would bring them to a flea market.
I have a lot of Disney Tapes and old movies
I have a lot of VHS tapes that I am hoping are available on DVD. I was told to toss them, but they are Doctor Who, The Prisoner & other series. I'll look into Amazon. Maybe I can sell VHS & purchase DVD. I think some of them never made it to commercial because of copyright issues.
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