Five Things - Thing 4 - Junk

4. At what age does junk become antiques?

One man’s weeds is another man’s flowers.

You might think that this age old adage could be applied to this question. If it did, the words would be: One man’s junk is another man’s antiques. BUT, it doesn’t actually apply.

You see, the dividing line between junk and antiques is how they are marketed.

If the object is left on the side of the road with a sign that says “FREE” or “TRASH”, then its junk.

If the same object is placed on the driveway with a $100 price tag -- antique.

Here are a few more rules to help you discern the difference between junk and antique:

• If its sold by the pound, junk.
• If its broken and you can still get more than $5 for it, antique.
• If the original package has not been opened, antique.
• If its ugly and you buy it anyway, antique.
• If its ugly and your significant other buys it anyway, junk.
• If it’s a tool or has any type of motor on it, its neither junk or antique but a usable, needed object.
• If it can be hooked to a tractor or truck and pulled, antique.
• If it goes in the basement, junk.
• If it goes in the living room, antique.
• If you have to re-stain it, antique.
• If you have to repaint it, and you don’t care what color the paint is, junk.
• If it came from a family member who passed away, antique.
• If it came from someone your dating, antique until you break up, then junk.
• If it says “Made in China” and its not something you eat out of or drink out of, junk.

As a general rule, if the person you buy the object snickers when you turn your back, junk.

Be careful when applying these rules, but they can be useful. Remember, the basic rule is to turn junk into an antique, kick the price you are asking up.