Why Don't You Want My Stuff?

by Josh Levine

Why Don't You Want My Stuff?A Boomer’s guide to downsizing, their Millennial kid's psyche and just things that are so…An easy to understand (maybe even fun) guide through the secondary market of online retailing, auctions and estate sales. Gather consignment insight, trend forecasting (from Pokemon to music boxes), appraisal techniques and buying tips from CEO and auctioneer Josh Levine's almost 20 years of experience in the auction world. Collectors - Pick at the brain of an experienced appraiser and auctioneer. Uncover Levine’s projected market trends on a variety of pieces, compare war stories and gain tips on online retailing. Boomers - Stop asking your kids why they don't want your stuff! Levine will reveal some of the psychology behind their disinterest and even resentment of your items. From China to furniture the Gen-Xers and Millennials just don’t view your treasures like you do. Gain an understanding of the supply and demand of the market and the cyclical trend that is style, purchase behavior and ultimately life. Gen-Xers - Are you caught between a rock and a hard place? Don’t worry, we’ll break the news to your parents about their collection of China and the like. As for you, we'll explain the trouble of trying to sell all of your parent's and relative's items that you don't want and where to go from there (hint: think of all the people who also don't want their parent's stuff). Millennials - Yup, there’s even some knowledge for you in here. You escaped inheriting some beanie babies and VHS tapes from your parents, so what do you do with all of that space? First off, pass on the minimalist trend. Then, think about the possibilities. You know how bell bottoms are back in? Soon, so will these trinkets, furniture styles and fad pieces like Pokemon. Get ahead of your peers and start collecting now. Levine will shed some light on what's hot and what's not. From any perspective you will finish with an understanding of the disconnect between the generations as well as with actionable knowledge for your inevitable quest to liquidate seemingly unwanted stuff.

132 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 2017

Reviews

[Moxielady · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the battle cry of the Boomers. Our Greatest Generation parents collected, and we fought over their collections. Now our children, and theirs, look at us like we’re crazy. They don’t want our treasures! Auctioneer and appraiser Josh Levine looks at the changing landscape of who wants what art, furniture and ephemera, with the eye of someone who has to find both sellers of and buyers for all of it.

Josh backs up his observations with solid data. Sadly, he points out that emotion often overrules such data in the minds and hearts of collectors. But the other side of the bad news about Hummels, brown furniture and Beanie Babies is the surprising discovery of some items that have held or increased value, and are good to sell right now.

While the specific examples in this book may not hold their high or low values as markets change, the principles remain: Study the market, research what your collection is selling for, and sell before values start to decline. Or hold on for a few more decades in case they come back!

This book should be required reading for people preparing to downsize their collections, as well as those looking to begin accumulating items they love.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, but not in a boring way. Information about collecting, who's buying, selling through yard sales vs. online and more. Kept me entertained and laughing the whole time. Helpful if you have a family member who is trying to downsize and having trouble deciding what to keep and let go of or they're gifting you their belongings that you don't want.