. Add to the growing list of industries that the up-and-coming generation seems to be killing off: antiques and collectibles from storage auctions. The Collectibles Market Is Not What It Used to Be. The digital revolution has taken away the joy of the hunt. Or has it?
The fact that we now have convenience does not make us less inclined to explore, browse, and discover items we didn’t know we wanted. Antiquing, flea market browsing, yard sale shopping, and attending auctions have always been hobbies for a devoted niche of people. The items in demand and the formats of sales may change, but the thrill and the sales remain.
Used Goods and Online Resale Markets Thriving
In terms of buying antiques and collectibles as investments, any hedge fund manager will tell you that investments always carry risk. Collectibles are no exception, and you’ve got to be careful about buying items solely for the purpose of selling them later. The resale market is always changing as supply and demand fluctuate.
While many people who hoarded Beanie Babies are now disappointed by their actual value, the used goods market in the United States is a growing $20 billion industry. That’s not even counting the online resale market, of which the fashion sector alone grew 82% between 2013-2016.
But those are general goods, not big-ticket items like authentic antique furniture, right? Not necessarily. There’s a thriving online niche for antique buying and selling.
The Internet Hasn’t Killed Storage Auctions Browsing
Not only do Americans love a good deal, but the younger generation also loves a good hunt. They wear, as the Thrift Shop song proudly proclaims, their granddad’s clothes. They shop in brick-and-mortar stores, from low-cost giants like Goodwill to higher-end boutique consignment shops to local nonprofits. It’s true that users can find specific items with the search function. But, they also browse categories and wander through algorithm-generated lists of similar items.
At StorageTreasures, we’re believers in online auctions self storage auctions. We make browsing online for units easy and worth your time.
