Is there a market for old VCR tapes? (2023)

Is there any demand for old VHS tapes?

“There absolutely is a used VHS market,” says Tim Allen, a VHS enthusiast and collector who runs a pop culture blog called Video-Tron 2000. “There are enough people out there that enjoy buying video tapes that if you came across a box of old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, you could probably sell them.”

Probably the most popular online portal for vintage-lovers to peruse, eBay is a great place to test the waters for your VHS collection. Take some time to see the pricing of similar tapes and then mark your accordingly. Read more about listing your VHS tapes on eBay.

There is, it turns out, much demand for these old VHS tapes, price tags notwithstanding, and despite post-2006 advancements in technology. Driving the passionate collection of this form of media is the belief that VHS offers something that other types of media cannot.

How Long Do VHS Tapes Last. VHS tape life expectancy varies from one VHS tape to the next. In general, VHS deterioration of 10–20% occurs over a period of 10 to 25 years. Better quality tapes have a slightly longer lifespan, as do VHS tapes that have been kept in a climate-controlled setting.

People are still buying VHS tapes on eBay, and some can make more than you'd expect. So whether you're clearing our your attic, surfing the charity shops or visiting a car boot, don't overlook those dusty VHS tapes! There might be money to be made. As with anything on eBay, condition is always important.

VHS tapes and cassettes are now rarely accepted at Recycling Centres and charity shops and are generally sent to landfill.

Where can I donate VHS tapes near me?

Drop off old VHS tapes to a Goodwill, Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul thrift shop. Donating unwanted items like these tapes extends their lifespans.