Stuff it: Millennials nix their parents’ treasures

[Jesus Malverde]

seismic shift of stuff is underway in homes all over America.

Members of the generation that once embraced sex, drugs and rock-and-roll are trying to offload their place settings for 12, family photo albums and leather sectionals.

Their offspring don’t want them.

As baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, start cleaning out attics and basements, many are discovering that millennials, born between 1980 and 2000, are not so interested in the lifestyle trappings or nostalgic memorabilia they were so lovingly raised with.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/boomers-unwanted-inheritance/2015/03/27/0e75ff6e-45c4-11e4-b437-1a7368204804_story.html

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. Can't keep a huge antique china cabinet in a studio apartment. n/t

[Jesus Malverde]

2. That and

You don't want to have to pay to move that furniture when you move routinely.

[Paper Roses]

3. This does not come as a big surprise but it is sad.

As a former antiques dealer, I bought and sold some great stuff over the years. I now see posts on our local 'sale' sites for wonderful furniture that begs for a customer.
I cringe when I see young people buying stuff like the screw together Ikea particle board. Use it a while, throw it out. Hopefully it does not fall apart.

Things will probably change again, wants seem to run in cycles. In the meantime, I sure feel sorry for anyone who does not buy good stuff. It never goes out of style. I'm not talking about expensive, I'm talking about good, solid, 'stood the test of time' goods.

[Paper Roses]

4. Hi dealers, did you read this post? I am sad about this.

I replied 2 days ago and no-one seemed to read it. Today, a big conversation with tons of replies in GD.
Worth a read for the comments.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027856788

[Jesus Malverde]

5. One of the most interesting comments

From the article, collecting is less of an adventure.

Used to be people would travel around and find items for their collections. Today's collector can do that all from home on eBay which takes some of the "adventure" out of collecting.

[TeamPooka]

6. and yet anything Mid Century Modern doesn't stay in stock for longp

[LuckyLib]

7. What amazes me in antique shops is the

huge quantity of glassware and dishes. Nobody wants that stuff anymore.

[TeamPooka]

9. I was at a local auction house and saw a huge ornate table for 12 with a matching sideboard

that must have cost 12 grand when new, sold for 75 bucks hammer price.
I have seen this happen again and again. If it looks like an antique style or an ornate piece the youngsters don't want it.
The mid century modern stuff though can't stay in stock and they fight over at the auctions.

[safeinOhio]

8. I still find older items that sell fast.

Advertising, the older the better. Military. Gas and oil items. Transportation related. Erotica. Auto and motorcycle related. Hunting and fishing related. Anything Gothic. While old clocks don't do well, clock parts get bought up by Steam Punk jewelry makers. Items that craft people use. Glass and pottery not so much, even mid-century.

As always, you can sell almost anything if you have the lowest prices.

[bucolic_frolic]

10. I can't move much of anything right now

my eBay sales are about 60% of what they were a year ago. Same mix.

Baby boomers are flooding the market with stuff. I barely get page views on
most items, and or the first time ever it is common for items not to be viewed
at all. I think the search engines are tweaked to higher priced items than I
tend to offer.

[Sadie5]

11. I have this problen right now

We have retired and sold our home. I offered my kids first choice of items to big to fit in a condo but they turned down most of it. One daughter took all the picture albums but nothing else. Another took a few pieces of china but little else. I have sold a bunch on Craig's List and will be selling for many days.