That Heavy Box in the Basement

You’ve probably got one—a dusty, 80-pound behemoth that your parents refuse to part with because “it still works fine.” But here’s the thing: the CRT TV market has gone weird. Retro gamers and video enthusiasts are driving up prices on certain models, while most are just a trip to the dump waiting to happen. So is your CRT worth selling? Let’s break it down honestly, no hype.

The Gold: Sony Trinitron PVMs and BVMs

If you’ve got a Sony PVM (Professional Video Monitor) or BVM (Broadcast Video Monitor), congratulations. These are the holy grail for retro gamers and film archivists because of their high resolution, accurate colors, and RGB inputs. On eBay, a 20-inch PVM-20M4U can sell for $300–$600 in good condition. A BVM with a 14-inch screen might fetch $200–$400. But here’s the catch: most people don’t know they have one. Look for a gray or blue metal case, “PVM” or “BVM” on the front, and connectors like BNC or SCART. If all you see is “Sony Trinitron” on a black plastic case, you’ve got a regular consumer set.

The Silver: Rare Consumer CRTs

Not all consumer CRTs are worthless. Certain models are sought after for 240p gaming (think SNES, Genesis). The Sony KV-27FV310 (a 27-inch flat CRT) can sell for $150–$250 because of its excellent component video quality. Smaller sets with built-in DVD/VCR combos, like the RCA DRC8328N, go for about $60–$100 to people furnishing a retro game room. But most 20+ year old Magnavox or Zenith sets? You’ll be lucky to get $30–$50. Size matters—a 13-inch TV is easy to ship but low demand; a 36-inch monster might sell local for $20 if you’re willing to haul it to a buyer’s car.

The Nickel: Common CRTs

If your TV is a generic brand (RCA, Emerson, GoldStar) with only coaxial or composite inputs, it’s essentially a boat anchor. eBay sold listings show these often go for $10–$25 with free local pickup, and even then they sit for months. The shipping cost alone—often $40–$80 via FedEx Ground for a bulky 50-pound box—makes selling online a money-losing proposition. A friend of mine sold a 27-inch Toshiba for $20 and spent $55 on packaging and shipping. He was sad.

Shipping: The Real Pain

CRTs are fragile. The glass tube is heavy and prone to breaking if not properly double-boxed with foam. A 27-inch TV costs about $40–$90 to ship via ground depending on distance. You also need a special TV box (Amazon sells them for $25–$40) or you risk the set arriving shattered. FedEx/UPS will deny claims if they suspect poor packaging. Our advice: only sell CRTs with local pickup unless you’ve got a niche unit like a PVM. For a standard set, list it on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist and be upfront about the weight—bring a friend, and don’t get stuck holding it at a no-show.

So What Should You Do?

Here’s the practical bottom line: If it’s a PVM/BVM, sell it on eBay with local pickup only, or r/crtgaming. If it’s a rare consumer set (Sony FV310, JVC D-Series, or a 13-inch with composite inputs), list locally for $75–$150. Everything else—donate it to a thrift store or take it to a recycling center. The $20 you’d get isn’t worth the hassle. And please, don’t try to ship a 36-inch Trinitron. Your back will thank you.