How to Price a Vintage Burton Snowboard
Similar to other rare, limited-edition, or highly sought-after collectibles, determining the fair price of a vintage Burton snowboard can be challenging. Because how does one even begin to put a price on something as unique as an original 1977 Burton BB1 prototype snowboard? The truth is that the value of any vintage snowboard can vary quite widely, depending on who you ask.
In this short guide, we’ll discuss some places where you can buy vintage snowboards, which consequently are also great resources for researching how to price a vintage Burton snowboard, too.
- Where can you buy a vintage Burton snowboard?
- How to Price a Vintage Burton Snowboard
- How to Price Vintage Burton Snowboard Bindings
Pro tip: Looking for that vintage Burton aesthetic, but in a snowboard that offers modern performance? Take a rip through time and check out the Burton Retro Collection.
Where can you buy a vintage Burton snowboard?
There are a variety of places where you can purchase a vintage Burton snowboard, including the usual suspects.
- Specialty vintage resellers
- Online auction sites
- Estate sales & garage sales
Obviously, this is not a comprehensive list, but it should provide a reasonable starting point when beginning your search for a classic Burton board.
Buying a Vintage Burton Snowboard at a Specialty Vintage Reseller
Likely one of the most expensive options, purchasing a vintage Burton snowboard from a specialty vintage reseller can be a great way to find a rare or highly coveted model. But it’s important to remember that specialty vintage resellers will probably price products on the higher end of the cost spectrum. But with higher prices, you generally get more information about the snowboard in question. Any legitimate vintage resellers include highly detailed product descriptions, with photos that show specific details and damage. Additionally, some resellers also offer return policies. For the right person, who knows what they want, these benefits may be enough to justify ponying up the cash.
Some online specialty vintage resellers include:
Buying a Vintage Burton Snowboard from an Online Auction or Direct Sale Website
Another option for purchasing a vintage Burton snowboard is to use an online auction or direct sale website. You’ve got bigger, more established resources, like eBay, which offer some buyer and seller benefits, like return policies, purchase protection, and more. There are also some specialty online groups, like the Vintage Snowboard Trader group on Facebook. Two other options are Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
One of the downsides to auction sites or direct sale sites, where you are likely purchasing from an individual, is that not everyone who is selling a vintage snowboard will do an accurate job of describing or detailing wear and tear. For instance, what might appear to be a cherry vintage 1970s Burton Performer in an auction listing might in fact have some undocumented damage.
Additionally, pricing for specific items on auction and direct sale websites can fluctuate drastically, which means you might get a great deal. Still, you might find items listed at hugely inflated prices. Either way, online auctions, and direct sale sites are still viable resources for finding and buying vintage Burton snowboards.
Buying a Vintage Burton Snowboard at a Garage or Estate Sale
Perhaps the best way to score a sweet deal on a vintage Burton snowboard is to find one at a garage sale or estate sale. Generally, people who are selling old snowboards in these situations are happier to be rid of the clutter than to get the “fair” market price, and that could work out to your advantage.
The two downsides to buying a vintage snowboard from a garage sale or estate sale are that they may be in rough shape from improper storage, and you won’t get any warranty, return policy, or buyer’s protection. The upside to this is that you do get to examine the snowboard in person before handing over your hard-earned cash, and this presents the opportunity to haggle for a lower price.
Pro tip: Garage sales in the northeast United States (in the areas surrounding Burton’s global headquarters) are the perfect place to score a classic snowboard, if you have the patience and determination.
How to Determine the Price of a Vintage Burton Snowboard
If you’re on the search for a vintage Burton snowboard to ride (gasp), or mount on your wall and admire, you’re probably wondering what you should expect to pay. However, there’s no official printed guide, so ultimately, the value is in the eye of the beholder.
For the sake of establishing an expected price range for a vintage Burton snowboard, a great approach is to research the various places where they are listed for sale, like specialty online resellers, and auction websites. Try to find at least a few examples of the specific model you are looking for to determine an average price. Also keep in mind the date of previous sales, as collectible items like vintage snowboards tend to go through periods of stagnancy followed by periods of interest – and time your purchase accordingly to get the best deal.
How to Price Vintage Burton Snowboard Bindings
Like vintage Burton snowboards, vintage Burton snowboard bindings are collectible and tend to be offered for sale at a wide range of prices. Generally speaking, vintage bindings show up for sale less often than snowboards, and they’re usually heavily used. But this doesn’t mean you can’t occasionally find a pair in mint condition. Like vintage snowboards, your best bet is to find past or active auctions, compare prices, and figure out what you are willing to pay.
Final Thoughts on How to Price a Vintage Burton Snowboard
Vintage Burton snowboards can vary wildly in price, and ultimately, the value of any snowboard comes down to how badly someone wants it, and what they’re willing to spend. But we’re talking about more than just tangible products; vintage snowboards have cultural and historical value, which are both essentially priceless.
Think of it this way, a snowboarding trip might cost you a tank full of gas, and an overpriced ski lodge burrito, but the experience of effortlessly floating through untouched powder on a vintage Burton Woody is priceless.
