top of page
0a8736cf-9bb5-454d-bba1-d881372bee48.jpeg

Donate to the White Elephant Sale

Thank you for considering donating to the White Elephant Sale!

The White Elephant Sale has been a success for more than 60 years because of the generosity of our donors, the organizational efforts of the Oakland Museum Women’s Board, and the tireless work of over 1000 volunteers. But when we receive items that are not in sellable condition on such a huge scale, it costs us thousands of dollars and volunteer hours, which could be better used to support our mission of providing funding for the Oakland Museum's programming. 
 

We cannot take:

Batteries MUST be removed from battery-operated items before donating.

Items that are broken, damaged, stained, needing repair

Items with corporate logos (e.g. office supplies, mugs, clothing,), except we do take college and professional sports teas

Items that are personalized with names/initials (e.g. linens, towels, mugs, etc.) – except  we do take personalized silver or silver plate items.

Chemicals and/or flammable fluids

Perishable or personal care items (e.g. food, wine, pharmacy, lotions, soaps, or other personal care items)

Take a close look at everything you are planning to donate and consider whether you or anyone you know would be willing to buy it. If not, we probably cannot use it. 

Donate to the White Elephant Sale

Thank you for considering donating to the White Elephant Sale!

The White Elephant Sale has been a success for more than 60 years because of the generosity of our donors, the organizational efforts of the Oakland Museum Women’s Board, and the tireless work of over 1000 volunteers. But when we receive items that are not in sellable condition on such a huge scale, it costs us thousands of dollars and volunteer hours, which could be better used to support our mission of providing funding for the Oakland Museum's programming. 
 

We cannot take:

Batteries MUST be removed from battery-operated items before donating.

Items that are broken, damaged, stained, needing repair

Items with corporate logos (e.g. office supplies, mugs, clothing,), except we do take college and professional sports teas

Items that are personalized with names/initials (e.g. linens, towels, mugs, etc.) – except  we do take personalized silver or silver plate items.

Chemicals and/or flammable fluids

Perishable or personal care items (e.g. food, wine, pharmacy, lotions, soaps, or other personal care items)

Take a close look at everything you are planning to donate and consider whether you or anyone you know would be willing to buy it. If not, we probably cannot use it. 

0a8736cf-9bb5-454d-bba1-d881372bee48.jpeg

Click on the categories below for more details about items we cannot accept:

We accept only clean, empty suitcases in good condition with all zippers functional.

NO BROKEN LUGGAGE in need of repair
NO LUGGAGE WITHOUT WHEELS (unless vintage)
NO BAGS WITH LOGOS


Luggage straps and carriers
Opened or partly used Hair, Bath or Beauty products
Opened Health Care Products
Used or opened Hosiery, socks, tights
Travel accessories Plus bags and totes with logos, giveaways
Slippers/bed socks
Travel garment bags/valpaks

NO DAMAGED OR BROKEN ART OR FRAMES

X Scrolls
Clear acrylic box frames
Damaged or broken art or frames
Folding Easel Displays Framed jigsaw puzzles
Empty Frames smaller than 10”x 14” (unless antique Empty Metal Frames, Old photo albums with photos, personal photos, or animal photos)
Old Master reproductions/prints
Resin sculptures/figurines

NO ENCYCLOPEDIAS
NO MAGAZINES
NO COMPUTER MANUALS older than 4 years


All children's magazines
HOME, HEALTH, FASHION,NEWS
Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Gourmet
Martha Stewart
Reader's Digest
Scientific American, Smithsonian
Sunset Magazines (Unbound)
Life (Newer than 1970)
National Geographic (Newer than 1960)

XGrandfather clocks
XAsian Display Dolls

NO DIRTY, BROKEN, DAMAGED ITEMS

Artificial Xmas Trees Taller than 2 Feet
Asian Display Dolls
Tree Stands, unboxed Lights, Garlands (Unless Vintage)
Clear glass Christmas plates
Florist glass vases
Ceramic figurines
Wreaths over 2 ft. in diameter
Used candles
Outdoor Christmas decorations
Collector plates – Franklin Mint, Bradbury Exchange, etc.

NO STAINED/DIRTY CLOTHES
NO DIRTY, BROKEN, DAMAGED OR RECALLED Furniture, Strollers
NO HIGH CHAIRS MISSING TRAYS OR STRAPS (vintage okay w/o trays or straps)


Plastic baby bath tubs
CAR SEATS - older than 5 years, dirty
CRIB BUMPER PADS
CRIBS WITH DROP SIDES (Unless Vintage, Collectible, not intended for use with babies)
BABY MONITORS
BEAN BAG OR FOAM child’s chair
EXERSAUCERS
LARGE ROLLING ACTIVITY CENTERS that child sits in
PERSONALIZED ITEMS with child’s name
SHOES that show a lot of wear/dirty/over child size 13

NO STAINED/DIRTY/TORN CLOTHES
NO Clothing that is missing Buttons or Fasteners

Exceptions: We accept Vintage Clothing in any condition
Women's underwear ONLY NEW IN PACKAGE (except Vintage)

NO Electrical items that are in NON-WORKING CONDITION or NEED REPAIR

AIR PURIFIERS & IONIZERS
APPLIANCES that we don’t take - Large or Built-in, Stoves, Refrigerators, Washers, Dryers, ALL Microwave Ovens
BREAD MAKERS
CARPET SHAMPOOERS
CELL PHONES and Cell Phone Chargers
CEILING FANS
COMPUTER Hardware, Peripherals, Software
CONSOLE Phonograph/stereo/TV units
EAR BUDS
FLUORESCENT Light Tubes
GEORGE FORMAN GRILLS
LARGE TABLE LAMPS - no lamps over 2 feet tall
MICROWAVE OVENS
OFFICE MACHINES – Cash Registers, Copy Machines, FAX machines, Printers
PERSONAL GROOMING PRODUCTS Hair dryers, curlers, shavers, toothbrushes, massagers, Foot massagers, paraffin baths
ROUTERS
TRACK Lighting
TELEVISIONS of any type or size TV antennas TV Stands
TYPEWRITER TABLES
VAPORIZERS or Humidifiers

NO furniture that needs to be repaired (is broken)
NO furniture that needs to be Reupholstered (is stained)
NO furniture that requires assembly
NO particle board furniture


If there is any concern we may request photos for review. DUE TO LIMITED SPACE in the department we may not be able to take your donation. OUR VAN DRIVERS HAVE THE FINAL SAY


XBox Springs, Foam Pads,Head & Footboards w/out Rails, Mattresses, Futon Mattresses, Metal Bed Frames or Bed Springs, Twin beds or metal beds
XRug Pads, Non-Bound Carpeting, Shag Rugs
XNO COUCHES OVER 6’LONG
XNo upholstered furniture with any stains, dirt or discoloration
XNo bean bag chair
XNo HIDE-A-BEDS
XCHINA CABINETS over 36” wide
XGLASS TOP tables (only Mid-Century and under 36”)
XHOSPITAL BEDS
X LARGE LA-Z-BOYS - Due to limited space. Non-electric in excellent condition okay High-leg, push-back recliners okay
XMETAL FOOT LOCKERS Commercial
XCommercial OFFICE FURNITURE: no desks or case goods
XPAPASAN chairs
XPARTNER DESKS
XROLL-TOP DESKS

XHOSES (unless new)
XHOSE REELS
XLAWNMOWERS
XGas powered yard tools
XPLASTIC GARDEN FURNITURE - Molded (moldy)

XAUTOMOTIVE Batteries, Tires, Jacks, Tire Chains, Rims
XAQUARIUMS
XBATHTUBS and large plumbing fixtures
XBLINDS – Venetian, mini
XCABINET DOORS removed from previous site
XFOOD or WINE GLASS Windows or Doors
XUSED HARDWARE, used Window Hardware, used Plumbing Fixtures
XHOT WATER HEATERS
XJARS (Except Canning)
XMini-BLINDS /Window blinds
XOpened or partly used MEDICAL SUPPLIES
XPET items we cannot take: Large crates, Igloos, Pet doors, Hamster cages, Wire bird cages, Pet doors
XPROPANE tanks
XLARGE POWER TOOLS - Shopsmith
XTOILET Seats
XTOXIC MATERIALS: Flammable Fluids, Matches
XPAINT of any Kind
XSPORT CUPS with Straws
XSTOVES of Any Kind except vintage
XSTYROFOAM/PLASTIC ICE CHESTS
XTILE, Ceramic
XWALKERS – basic Aluminum
XWINDOW SHADES

NO ITEMS THAT ARE: wet, mildewed, soiled, torn, frayed, animal hair covered

XBED PILLOWS
XELECTRIC BLANKETS & Controls
XThe following window coverings: Black-out drapes, Cornices, Heavy drapes, Valances, Metal blinds, Shades
XFOAM FUTON COVERS or MATTRESSES
XAir MATTRESSES or Beds, Futon Mattresses
XSLIPCOVERS/COVERS for chairs or sofas
XTABLE PADS

NO Magnetic tape media of any kind

XTAPES recorded or blank: Audio – cassettes, reel-to-reel, 8-track Video – VHS, Beta, home- recorded, blank
XRACKS , CARRIERS, CASES for tapes,cds
XCD jewel cases (empty)
XNO BOXED SETS OR BOUND ALBUMS OF RECORDS
X78RPM RECORDS
XELECTRIC ORGANS
XORGAN MUSIC
XHYMNALS
XPIANOS – Grand, Full-sized upright & player

PLEASE CONTACT US ABOUT OTHER KINDS OF PIANOS

XCDs, Floppy discs + their storage boxes
XFiling Cabinets – 2 or 4 drawer
XBinders with Logos
XDiscolored photo albums (Unless Vintage)
XMouse pads
XOld phone directories
XOld maps
XOutdated Calendars
XPartial rolls and scraps of wrapping paper
XPicture Frames

XVideo cameras, camcorders, and/or tapes
XDigital cameras without memory card, battery pack, charger, cables and instructions.
XDigital cameras less than 10 Megapixels
XFamily Slide Collections
XFilm Editing Equipment
XPhoto chemicals
XPhoto enlargers / slide carousels or slide projectors
XStudio Lighting Equipment

FABRIC WE DO NOT TAKE: Large rolls of upholstery fabric, Synthetics, Burlap, Netting, Naugahyde

XDRAPERY SUPPLIES
XFOAM RUBBER
XFUR
XKNITTING MACHINES
XLOOMS - Assembled or disassembled
XMAGAZINES
XUSED PATTERNS, unless pre-1970
XPLASTIC NURDLES
XQUILT FRAMES
XQUILT TOPS in need of repair
XSEWING MACHINES we cannot take: TREADLE sewing machines, INDUSTRIAL sewing machines, DOMESTIC ROTARY sewing machines, WHITE ROTARY sewing machines, NEW HOME ROTARY sewing machines, CABINETS without sewing machines (empty)
XUNFINISHED GARMENTS/PROJECTS
XUPHOLSTERY SAMPLE BOOKS
XFABRIC SCRAPS
XYARN CONES

XDANCE SHOES
XGOLF SHOES
XSKI BOOTS
XSPORTS SHOES (cleats)

NO DIRTY CAMPING EQUIPMENT Nothing rusty or soiled.
NO taxidermied ANIMALS
NO mounted TROPHY FISH


XAMMUNITION/FIREARMS of Any Type including Toy Guns
XLarge BOATS, Outboard Motors
XCAR RACKS – for skis or bikes
XCAR CARGO CARRIERS (Tule Racks)
XDIVING EQUIPMENT
XEXERCISE EQUIPMENT we cannot take: Heavy Exercise Equipment, Rowing Machines, Nordic Tracks,  Stationary Exercise Bikes (We only take Tunturi and Schwinn exercise bikes in working condition), Treadmills
XINFLATABLE mattresses
XGOLF BAGS and CLUBS older than 2018
XHOCKEY EQUIPMENT PILATES EQUIPMENT
XPLASTIC WADING POOLS
XSKIS, Boots and Ski Poles
XSNOW BOARDS
XSTYROFOAM ICE CHESTS
XTENTS, Canvas
XTROPHIES
XWATER SKIS
XWINDSURFING Equipment Older than 5 Years

NO STUFFED ANIMALS except for Steiff
NO COSTUMES
NO DOLLHOUSES unless small/portable
NO BROKEN TOYS


XAsian Display Dolls
XCardboard BUILDING BRICKS
XCHEMISTRY SETS
XDOLLS OVER 18 IN.
XDOLL BEDS/STROLLERS
XDOLL FURNITURE (large)
XGRADUATION CAPS AND GOWNS
XINFLATABLE TOYS - unless new and unopened
XJEWELRY MAKING KITS, loose beads
XPLAYDOH, PAINT (unless unopened)
XRIDING HORSES – large, spring-type
XOUTDOOR PLAY STRUCTURES - large
XSAND BOXES - large plastic
XSAND/POOL/BATH TOYS TRAIN TABLES - large
XTROPHIES
XVIDEO GAME CONSOLES & accessories (except PlayStation)
XWADING POOLS - large plastic

To schedule a van pickup, please call (510) 839-5919.

Van drivers have the right to refuse to take any donations for reasons for quality, size, or number of donations. Van drivers retain the right to refuse to pick up the donation if they have a concern about safety matters. Van drivers expect all contacts with donors will be safe and in keeping with government recommendations. All persons they come in contact with must be wearing a mask, even if the contact is outdoors. Van drivers will not tolerate harassment.

Please help our van drivers quickly identify the items you want us to pick up by printing our donation tags, and then taping or stapling one tag to each box, bag, or item that you are donating.  

bottom of page