That old tech gathering dust in your garage or spare room might be far more valuable than you think. TradeMe Marketplace says it's seeing a full-blown “nostalgia goldrush”, as demand surges for things like vintage digital cameras, cassette tapes and classic gaming consoles.

Items that once felt outdated are now highly sought after - and fetching surprising prices, with early-generation digital cameras among the standout examples of the retro revival, says TradeMe’s Head of Marketplace, Lisa Stewart.

“Models that were mainstream 15–20 years ago are now seen as specialty items. An old Sony camera from that era is selling for over $500 on average, which is a fantastic return on something you likely haven't used in years,” she says.

 

The digital camera comeback: Average sale prices by brand

For many households, that means forgotten ‘junk’ could actually be premium retro tech - and a handy way to bring in some extra cash, which Stewart says is great timing for many Kiwis feeling financial pressure.

“With the cost-of-living putting pressure on Kiwi households, every little bit helps. We’re seeing a significant trend of people looking for alternative ways to make some extra cash, and their old stuff is proving to be a goldmine.

“It's absolutely worth going through those old boxes in the garage to see if you have one of these in-demand items.”

What is in demand?

TradeMe’s latest Marketplace report shows a “huge appetite” for items from the 1990s and early 2000s, with retro gaming leading the charge.

Searches for the Nintendo 3DS are up more than 700% year-on-year, with the consoles selling for an average of $149. Classic Gameboys are also proving popular, changing hands for just over $100.

Music formats from the past are enjoying a comeback too. If you’ve got boxes of cassette tapes tucked away, they could be worth digging out. Searches for ‘cassette’ are up 679% year-on-year, with tapes selling for an average of $49.

According to the report, classic rock and pop from the ’70s and ’80s are dominating sales, with artists like David Bowie, Van Morrison, Joe Jackson and Boz Scaggs among the biggest movers.

Trade Me’s top searched nostalgia items

What’s driving the retro rush?

Stewart says a perfect storm of fashion, pop culture and nostalgia is fuelling the surge in nostalgic demand.

“Fashion and culture are cyclical, and the massive Y2K trend has made early 2000s technology cool again for a whole new generation. Pop culture is a huge influence too; shows like Stranger Things don't just reference the past, they feature a lot of these gadgets as a key part of their storylines.

“This creates a wave of demand. You have younger Kiwis wanting to own a piece of that retro cool they see on screen, while at the same time, the generation who grew up with these items are feeling nostalgic and want to reconnect with their youth. When these two forces combine for the same items, the demand and the value inevitably goes through the roof.”

 

Written by: Sonia Speedy

Sonia Speedy has been a journalist for over 20 years, working in newspapers, magazines and radio. She also runs an online platform for parents at familytimes.co.nz. She lives on the Kāpiti Coast with her young family and loves writing stories that help make people's lives easier.