FROM THE ARCHIVE
Where to Sell Disney VHS Tapes
Preserved from the Debt Free Forties archive. Marketplace fees, buyer demand, and tape values change; check recent sold listings and each platform before selling.
You’ve heard the buzz about selling Disney VHS tapes for thousands of dollars, but take it with a grain of salt – the market for these collectibles constantly changes. While you’re not likely to be able to retire after selling your sealed copy of Aladdin, there’s still some good news! There are still some great opportunities to sell Disney VHS tapes, if you know what you have, and the best spot to sell them.
Who buys Disney movies?
If you’re around forty(ish), chances are high that you not only owned these VHS tapes (and a VHS player) but loved watching them growing up. Most often, old Disney VHS tapes buyers are nostalgia seekers or collectors.
Where can I sell my old Disney videos?
There are several worthwhile places to sell Disney VHS tapes, including online auction sites, locally, and through avid Disney collector groups, to name a few.
So, what is the best way to sell old VHS tapes? It depends on how rare the VHS tape is (we’ll discuss how to tell further down below) and how much you want to pay in fees.
Facebook Groups
Some great Facebook groups are solely dedicated to selling and purchasing Disney memorabilia.
Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, Craigslist
Again, this is an good option because you’ll quickly reach a lot of people. However, it’s less focused than the specific collector’s groups on Facebook.
eBay
If you’re interested in selling here, search eBay Disney VHS tapes for sold listings to get an idea of what your video can sell for.
Etsy
When I think of Etsy, I think of handmade crafts.
Auction House
If the Disney VHS tape you have is extremely rare, you might want to take it to an auction house.
Comic Book Stores & Used Book Stores
Comic book stores are a resource when selling collectibles. Sometimes they’ll do consignment, and some may buy used items outright.
OfferUp, LetGo, VarageSale, 5Miles (apps)
Each of these apps is similar to Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace in that they allow you to post items for sale within your area.
Collector’s / Auctioneer’s Sales Sites
If you have a rare VHS tape, you’ll want to check vintage Disney collectible sites and auctioneer sites. These are great ways to help you find specialized buyers, save time, and quickly make the sale. Some great collector sites to check out are:
Mercari
I unknowingly thought Mercari was only for clothes, similar to ThredUp or Poshmark. I was seriously wrong! Mercari offers everything from collectibles to video games and everything in between.
Consignment & Pawn Shops
Consignment shops will take your used goods and host them in a retail spot for buyers. These shops only take a fee once your item has sold, and it varies significantly from one shop to another. While this isn’t your best option, it’s still worth considering. Thrift stores usually only take donations and don’t pay you for your items.
Also, try searching for pawn shops that buy VHS tapes near me – you might be surprised at what you find! A similar option is shops like Once Upon a Child, which pays you up front for your merchandise, so it’s not your problem if it never sells.
Garage Sale & Flea Market
Garage sales aren’t going to score you much money; however, if you have enough stuff, why not give it a shot? Garage sales could be beneficial if you’re in a high-traffic area or your neighborhood has community-wide yard sale days.
Can you get money for VHS tapes?
- The condition of the tape: Sealed VHS tapes will fetch the highest price. The state of the video tapes and covers can also affect the pricing.
- The title and popularity: Some titles are more in demand than others due to their popularity. For example, you’ll most likely get more for Beauty and the Beast than you can for The Three Callaberos.
- The rarity of the VHS tape: Several factors can help drive a high price, including special editions, collector cases, and non-English language versions.
- Errors or discontinued tapes: Remember the cover of The Little Mermaid that was said to have male anatomy in the castle’s spires? Yeah, me too. Disney caught the naughty artwork (a little too late), and the cases were pulled off the shelves. However, if you were lucky enough to snag one before these tapes were removed from shelves, they can go for much more.
Disney VHS Collections
- The Black Diamond Collection
- The Masterpiece Collection
- The Gold Classic Collection
The Black Diamond Collection
Disney’s Black Diamond editions includes 20 releases from 1984 to 1994 and consists of the following titles:
- Dumbo
- Bambi
- Cinderella
- Alice in Wonderland
- Peter Pan
- Lady and the Tramp
- Sleeping Beauty
- 101 Dalmations
- The Sword in the Stone
- The Jungle Book
- Robin Hood
- The Rescuers
- The Fox and the Hound
- The Great Mouse Detective
- The Little Mermaid
- The Rescuers Down Under
- Beauty and the Beast
- Aladdin
- Pinocchio (Masterpiece)
- Fantasia (Masterpiece)
So, how to tell if your VHS are Black Diamond Disney VHS movies? Look at the upper spine of the case (VHS plastic shell cover). You’ll see a black diamond logo, which has the shape of a black diamond with “Walt Disney Classics” over the top.
The Masterpiece Collection
The Disney Masterpiece Collection VHS list featured the first time Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released on VHS, as well as The Lion King, Pocahontas, Mulan, Hercules, and more.
The Masterpiece Collection releases are marked with a purple logo at the top of the spine of the plastic shell cover that reads “Walt Disney Masterpiece Collection.”
The Gold Classic Collection
This line included DVDs for the first time and Pixar films such as Toy Story and A Bug’s Life.
The logo for these is a gold horizontal stripe on the cover’s spine with a red circular Walt Disney Classics logo. The text on and around the bar says, “Walt Disney Gold Classic Collection.”
How to Get the Most Out of Selling Your VHS Tapes
- Make sure you know what you have. Organize your collection and check each item’s condition. Do your research and compare what similar tapes are going for on auction sites such as eBay.
- Sell your tapes in bulk. When you have more familiar titles, selling your VHS titles in bulk can help you make a more significant sale.
- Write an eye-catching description. If you have something rare or unique, spell it out for the buyers. Leave no shadow of a doubt about the importance of your item in the product’s description.
- List your items in multiple places. If you only list your items for sale in one place, you limit the number of buyers you can reach. Take the time to list your items on multiple sites, apps, and stores.
- Watch the market. If VHS tape sales have taken a dip in pricing, wait it out (if you don’t need the money immediately). Wait until the demand for your items begins to rise before listing them to ensure you get the most you can out of each sale.