If you have a shelf of old Avon bottles in the attic and have been wondering whether any of it is worth a dime, a reseller who goes by The Nurse Flipper has some news worth hearing. After a research video on Avon jewelry, she turned to the other side of the Avon world and pulled up 20 of the top sellers on eBay over the last 90 days. Prices on her list started at $149 and climbed as high as $899 for individual items.

The list is for non-jewelry Avon pieces, which is exactly the kind of thing that fills thrift store shelves, estate sale tables and the back of Grandma’s bedroom closet. She skipped most big lots and sets of many pieces, because a high total for a pile of items says little about any single one. She wanted individual pieces, and she admitted she had to search harder this time than on her first Avon video several years ago, so the market may have cooled a bit.

Her video on The Nurse Flipper channel is aimed at people who want to sell, but she makes a point that you do not even have to be a reseller to follow along. The message is simple: before you donate that box of Avon, take a closer look.

The Sales That Surprised Her

First up was a 1999 Avon Santa, an animated toy called Read Me a Story, complete and tested, with the original box and still sealed in plastic. It sold for $150. Next came a Fisher-Price Little People Red Riding Hood set that turned out to be an Avon exclusive, which sold on a best offer for $165. She admitted that several toys on her list were Avon exclusives she had no idea about, and said that without the box, a tool like Google Lens might be the only way to tell.

The kids’ items kept coming. A vintage Avon Blossom Whisper Soft Cologne and Blush set, made for children, sold for $189.99, which is close to $200, a price she said she would not have expected for it. Her advice was to watch for retro, cute little kids’ bottles. She also flagged Driven by Derek Jeter gift sets, sealed in the box, saying there were two on her list and both sold.

Even a toy in rough shape found a buyer. A played-with Little People piece, with noticeable wear, still sold for over $200. Her take was that collectors in this category will pay for the right character even when condition is far from perfect.

Advent Calendars, Purses And Gold

Advent calendars were a bright spot. A 1987 Christmas fabric advent calendar with the mouse marker, still sealed with its original pen, sold for $250, and another Avon countdown calendar sold for $195. She noted that Avon advent calendars are extremely popular and sell well.

Then there was the purse. An Avon shoulder bag and trifold wallet set sold for over $200, and she said a couple of Hobo purses sold at that level as well. The tag on one read Avon shoulder bag, which left her wondering whether the brand is really Hobo and the name describes the style. Either way, she called it a new purse brand worth watching, since it sells for a couple hundred dollars.

Some of the money was in the metal. A vintage 1976 Avon 25-year service award in sterling silver plate, in its presentation box with a message from the Avon president, went through a seven-day auction that opened at $250 and closed at $283 after two bidders. She added that the melt value of the plate was close to $400, so the seller may have left money on the table. A Hallmark Avon ladies watch with a 14 karat gold case sold for $299, and a set of 12 ceramic houses styled as spice jars with a hanging shelf sold for $185.

The Peacock At The Top

The biggest result of all was a limited edition Swarovski Crystal Peacock perfume. It was factory sealed, with the original box and charm, and the Avon Company of New York named on the label. It sold for about $900, and she said she would never have guessed it carried that kind of value.

That is the lesson she kept returning to. Quite a few of these items looked like things she would have walked past at a thrift store. Her closing advice was to look at all Avon, and if something looks different from what you have seen before, check it.

A Quick Look At Avon

Avon has a long history. The company began in 1886 as the California Perfume Company, founded by David H. McConnell, and later took the Avon name. It built its business on a network of sales representatives who sold beauty products door to door, which is why so many American homes ended up with the same cologne bottles, soaps and decorative gift items on a dresser.

That reach is the reason Avon collectibles are so plentiful and so varied. Over the decades the company produced figural bottles shaped like cars, trucks, animals and holiday figures, along with decanters, collector plates and seasonal Christmas items. Some were made in huge numbers and sell for very little. Others, because of a limited run, an unusual design or simply because collectors are chasing them right now, command real money.

How To Check Your Own Avon

You do not need her list to start. Here is a practical way to go through what you have.

• Look for the original box. A box in good condition can add noticeably to the price, so do not throw it out.
• Search sold listings. On eBay, search for the item and filter the results to sold listings. That shows what buyers actually paid, not what sellers hope to get.
• Inspect for damage. Chips, cracks, missing stoppers, worn paint and faded labels hurt value. Hold the piece to the light and run a finger along the rim.
• Find the year and name. Many pieces are marked on the bottom or on the label. A name and a date make searching far easier.
• Keep items sealed. A factory-sealed piece usually sells better than one that has been opened.
• Clean gently. Use a soft cloth and mild soap, and never use harsh cleaners on old labels or painted details.

A high price on a list of top sellers does not mean every piece of that type is valuable. Those top sales are the best examples from 90 days, usually in excellent condition. Still, there is something satisfying about learning that the quirky Santa on a relative’s dresser might be worth hundreds. Before you give away the collection or pack it for the next yard sale, do a little homework.

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