Turn collectibles into cash at Elkhart road show

By Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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A North Carolina-based company is giving free appraisals and offering to buy antiques and collectibles in Elkhart this week. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Apr 28, 2009 at 3:57 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 29, 2009 at 11:07 AM EST

ELKHART — One man's trash is another man's treasure, and what you think is trash could make you some extra cash. A North Carolina company is holding is own version of an antique road show. It's willing to pay for items that are out of the ordinary.

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In a city with record unemployment levels and thousands of people struggling to make ends meet, every penny counts. Tuesday, a steady line of people in Elkhart were hoping their collectibles were worth a lot more than pennies. They lined up to get free appraisals, and if they wanted, sell those prized possessions for cash.

One of those was Larry Warren, who brought a rare Beatles album and board game.

“I'm one of the lucky ones, I'm still employed,” Warren told WSBT News. “I've been a Beatles collector for 30 years and I've always memorabilia to fall back on when times get a little tight. I basically brought this in because I feel money is a little better than having something laying around the house.”

Bette Berkley brought in an antique cigarette and match holder and old salt spoons.

“I'm on a fixed income and it’s not very much,” she said, “and I have a dryer that a motor burned out and I would like to be able to replace that.”

For some it's a matter of getting money for items they don't need or want anymore. For others, it’s much more than that.

“My husband and I have both been laid off since September,” explained Suzann Harvey. “And I found this watercolor at a garage sale for a reasonable price, and I'm hoping it might be worth something. We found the painter’s name.”

It turns out the painting that Harvey brought in was an original, from the early 1900s. She was offered several hundred dollars for it, but decided to keep it.

“I've been laid off since October with an RV-related industry and saw that they were having the antique road show, got these old cards, baseball cards and comic books and I thought I'd stop by to see what they’re worth,” added Scott Smith.

The road show runs Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Quality Inn at 3321 Plaza Court in Elkhart.

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