When my Mum used to give me hand-me-down cookware items in order to prepare me for the day that I moved out of home, I didn’t put much thought into the value of the individual item aside from the fact that I wouldn’t need to go out and buy the item myself so therefore saving me money.

What I failed to realise is that some of these items which are now classed as ‘vintage’ have a very unexpected dollar value in today’s market. Take CorningWare for example! Firstly, a little explanation of what CorningWare is according to Wikipedia: Corning Ware, also written CorningWare, was originally a brand name for a unique glass-ceramic (Pyroceram) cookware resistant to thermal shock. It was first introduced in 1958 by Corning Glass Works in the United States. The brand was later spun off with the sale of the Corning Consumer Products Company subsidiary (now known as Corelle Brands of Rosemont, Illinois). Glass-ceramic based Corning Ware can be taken from the refrigerator or freezer and used directly on the stovetop, in an oven or microwave, under a broiler, for table / serving use, and when ready for cleaning put directly into a dishwasher. CorningWare is sold worldwide, and it is popular in North America, Asia, and Australia.

Did you know that certain items of CorningWare can fetch up to (and even over) $10,000 on marketplaces such as Ebay? It’s true! Check out the examples below from my recent search history! The key here is to know the value of what you are listing. For example with CorningWare you can see that certain era’s (early 70’s in particular) and certain rare patterns earn the best dollar amount.

When Decluttering an item such as this, I firstly determine if this is an item that a) Is useful to me (I have used it in the last 12months) , and b) Is an item that I love and cherish! If the answer to both of these is no, then it’s time to go! Think how much space you will save in that kitchen cupboard, and how much your pocket will thank you! So whether you have old CorningWare ,Cast Iron cookware, or other vintage items then here are some key tips for ensuring you get the best dollar value for your item:

1. Make sure the item is as clean as you can possibly get it. This means putting in any required elbow grease to ensure it is clean and free from stains.

2. Items that still have their original lid or all parts will always fetch the best money. Likewise if the item is part of a set – do you have all of the parts of the set?

3. Ensure that you always check the ‘sold’ section of the marketplace. You want to investigate what items similar to yours have fetched recently at auction to determine the dollar amount you could ask for.

4. Pictures sell! Ensure that you have the best quality lighting in your images, that the background is free from clutter and you take multiple photos especially if there are multiple parts to the item you are listing.

5. Be specific. Writing a detailed description is also key to selling as it instils buyer confidence that you are genuine and have taken care of the item.

6. Determine whether you will ask a set price or have the item auctioned. Whilst it’s important to be realistic in the cost of the item by checking what the market is currently paying (see point 3 above), it’s also important that you don’t list an item for lower than you are willing to accept for it in the worst case scenario,especially if you do have a vintage item of value. You can always try listing again later if it doesn’t fetch the lowest denominator of what you want.

Do you have an item of value such as CorningWare lurking in the back of your cupboard, just waiting to be Decluttered? Even if you fetch $20 or even $50 for an unused and unloved item, that is much better than having it taking up valuable space doing nothing for you! I’d love to hear your finds and wins if you have listed one of these vintage items yourself! Comment below to share! Melissa xx