Good prop, bad prop.

Back.

To us, a prop is something real, for sale, that we get to have fun with. At our live shows, it’s an item you bring in that the Prop Master appraises and accepts: it goes into a scene, and the audience bids on it before the scene ends. In our Prop Shop, it’s an eBay listing the Prop Master picks and we roast with our two cents; it stays yours and sells on eBay. Until the Prop Master says yes, it’s just stuff.

Here’s what makes good stuff a good prop, and what we turn away.

Good prop.

What should I bring?

  • Kitchen gadgets gathering dust.
  • Exercise equipment you swore you’d use.
  • Home décor that seemed like a good idea at the time.
  • Tech accessories from 2019.
  • Anything with a story behind it. Tell the Prop Master; the Sell Outs can use it, and so can our two cents.

Does it have to be funny?

No! Some of the dullest items make the funniest props. Besides, who knows what’s going to be funny?

How many can I bring?

At a live show, as many as you can carry, each in its own mail-ready box. More props, more chaos, more laughs. Not every prop makes it into a scene; which ones do is our call.

In the Prop Shop, send us your eBay username and the Prop Master looks through all of your public listings and picks the favs.

Bad prop.

Almost anything can be a prop. These can’t, on stage or in the Prop Shop. At a live show the Prop Master turns them away at check-in, and that’s a long walk back to the car. Online we just pass on the listing.

Dangerous to ship or handle

  • Spare, swollen or damaged lithium batteries. A gadget with its own working battery inside is fine.
  • Aerosols and anything pressurized: spray paint, propane, CO2 cartridges.
  • Anything flammable: fuel, lighter fluid, oil-based paint, matches by the box.
  • Fireworks, explosives and anything that goes bang on purpose.
  • Chemicals, pool supplies, pesticides, and mercury (old thermometers included).

Weapons

  • Guns, gun parts, ammunition, and replicas that look real.
  • Knives, swords, axes and anything else with an edge meant for more than butter.
  • Stun guns, pepper spray, brass knuckles, batons.

Recalled or unsafe

  • Anything that has been recalled. Got a model number? Look it up at saferproducts.gov first.
  • Used car seats, cribs, bassinets, baby walkers and other baby sleep or safety gear.
  • Used helmets.
  • Toys with peeling paint or loose small parts.

Things you eat, drink, smoke or put on

  • Food and drink, opened or not.
  • Alcohol, tobacco, vapes, cannabis and CBD.
  • Medicine, vitamins and supplements, prescription or not.
  • Opened makeup, skin care and perfume.
  • Used underwear and swimwear. You know why.
  • Contact lenses, needles and medical devices.

Not yours to sell

  • Anything stolen, or anything you don’t own outright.
  • Counterfeits and knockoffs. If the “designer” bag cost $12, leave it home.
  • Copied movies, music and games.
  • IDs, badges, license plates, and police or military uniforms.
  • Phones, computers and cameras still holding your photos and passwords. Wipe them first.

Animals and their parts

  • Live animals, of any size.
  • Taxidermy, bones, skulls, pelts, ivory and feathers.

Not for this audience

  • Adult toys and explicit material.
  • Anything promoting hate or violence, Nazi memorabilia included.

Money in disguise

  • Cash, gift cards and prepaid cards.
  • Lottery tickets, raffle tickets and event tickets.

Too big for the box (live shows)

  • Anything that won’t fit in a mail-ready box you can carry in yourself: furniture, mattresses, big appliances.

Our Prop Shop sells on eBay and our shows stream on Whatnot, so their rules count too: eBay’s prohibited and restricted items and Whatnot’s prohibited or restricted items.

Not sure?

Ask the Prop Master before you haul it in: [email protected]. Ready to sell? Start here.