Check the Value of Your Old VHS Tapes

You're eying those shelves or stacks of old VHS videocassette tapes and thinking of all the ways you could use that space. But you might be surprised to learn that some of your tapes are worth money -- much more money than garage sale chump change.

Not yet on DVD

How so, when DVD picture quality and features are so much better? First of all, there are any number of titles that haven't yet been released on DVD (either not at all, or not in Region 1 format used in the US). Take a look at this Turner Classic Movies list of 200 classic films not on DVD. Many of the titles may surprise you; some you may even own on VHS.

And that's just a start. When you consider other collectible video categories like television shows and movies, concert videos, and even exercise tapes, there are thousands of titles that even today are still only available on VHS.

Intrinsic collector value

But wait, there's more! Some video cassettes are valuable even after their content has been re-released on DVD, just because they're collectible. In the same way book collectors sometimes acquirre each edition of a work by a favorite author, media aficionados who collect a certain genre or subject or director like to get titles in various release media and formats.

To have resale value in this category, a videocassette tape needs to be in excellent playing condition, in its original sleeve or clamshell box, and also scarce -- in other words, not so popular that there are zillions of copies out there.

Which begs the question, "How do you know what's scarce?"

Looking at web sites that sell videos can be misleading because the asking price isn't always the getting price. The same goes for books or lists of values, which typically list the highest selling prices as a guide for insuring collections.

Use Amazon to gauge scarcity

In my opinion, the fastest, most reliable, and potentially most lucrative way to check through your videos is to search your collection on Amazon one title at a time. If the lowest used asking price is a pleasant surprise to you and you know your tape is the identical release in the same or better condition, that's one you'll want to sell, either right on Amazon or by some other means. If you search and find there are 32 copies listed at one cent each, then that's a title you can garage sale or throw away.

Even if it takes a few hours to check through a large collection, the money you'll make from your sales will be more than worth it. Just pull down the search menu and select "VHS", then enter either the 10-digit ISBN number or the SKU number below the bar code, including the smaller digits at the far left and far right. This will ensure you're looking at listings of the exact tapes you own.

Sell or hold?

What about holding on to the rarest video cassettes? Every collectibles market fluctuates, so the prices you see today could fall lower tomorrow. There are, however, additional risk factors for collectible VHS tapes.

First of all, there's the perishability of the tape itself. Heat, cold, humidity and dust can damage videotape, not to mention contact with a magnet. Then there's the threat of damage to the sleeve. So if you've re-watched the tape and it's pristine, it's a good time to sell the tape!

The second factor is potential DVD release of the title, which will immediately lower the demand. Where general viewers as well as collectors now seek titles not on DVD, once a DVD version becomes available, only collectors will still want the VHS version.

So sort out the cassettes that are in excellent condition, including their packaging, and start checking values, making money, and freeing up space at home. You'll be glad you did!

Turner Classic Movies, "Not on DVD", http://www.tcm.com/top/notondvd/