Goodwill/SA/Thrift Store Discussions & Finds

E2 said:
If I paid attention to what some are saying I would have never found those Mani's, or those JBL's last month.

No thrifts stores should be checked when they are located a mile from your home. And often!

Garage sales are a pain. You have to be in Washington DC, or the New York City metro. Southern Cali, or the Las Vegas Metro. Than estate sales.
And DC is a goldmine, but get ready for fierce competition. Not bothering.
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I live in none of those places. garage sales and estate sales provide the vast majority of my scores. And I hit the closest GW almost everyday. You do you bro.
 
More non-audio, lol.

Driza Bone Aussie Ranger jacket, made in Australia.
Pair of Castelli long sleeve cycling jerseys
Canari cycling singlet
Pair of Adidas pullover sweat jackets (for me)
 
Jeff Egg said:
By far, my best speaker find from a thrift store. Cabinets are near perfect, grills are good. The drivers need nothing but a good dusting off. They sound great. Not stupid cheap but less than $400.00. NS-500M. View attachment 2310448
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I paid $30 for a pair of NS 1000's. Mine need to be sanded, and repainted on the tops and bottoms. It's been ten years......

I initially thought that's what you posted

The 1000's are the best box speaker of that era by a looooong way.

For the hell of it folks that have deep pockets should check the the modern Dynaudio 40's.
 
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$60 in both pairs......

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Three great albums for $8 each. Not the cheapest but the records are in like new shape so I went for it.

Also this JVC-XL-V161 CD player for 15 bucks. I had read about it in an old AK thread and I have to say wow, what a nice sounding CD player. Very smooth, almost analog sounding.

Now hanging out in my office with the Denon DRA-75VR.

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Snowpuppy2 said:
Yeah, that’s normally how it works, and at some stores there are people who camp out by the doors for hours waiting for carts to come out, so I avoid those stores. I have gotten lucky where something is just sitting on a shelf (or on the floor) either because it didn’t have a power cord to test it, or because they couldn’t figure out how it works. I’ve found 2 amplifiers that way, they didn’t realize that the selector switch was set for the amp to turn on when it receives a signal. I’ve purchased several high end Denon/Integra/Pioneer Elite units because the power cord was missing and GW doesn’t accept returns anymore. I always keep several cords in my car for that very reason. Sometimes things are just laying there waiting to be picked up because no one knows anything about it. There were a half dozen tennis racquets I picked up last month that sat there a couple days. I finally grabbed them and looked them up and they were selling for around $125 a piece, and they were priced @ $2.99. Most of the time though if it’s a really nice find you have to be there right when it comes out or you’re not getting it. Lots of unemployed ppl are now flipping for some extra $, so it’s a little harder than it was. The stores around me have also been pretty dry the last few weeks. I’ve still found a few nice things, but I was on a serious roll there for a bit.
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When it comes to testing, some of the pros are very good. You might want to check out this YouTuber showing off his entire electronics testing kit:


It pays to be prepared! They know him at Saver's, so if they see him cleaning off the lens on a disc player they don't care.
 
Snowpuppy2 said:
Yeah, that’s normally how it works, and at some stores there are people who camp out by the doors for hours waiting for carts to come out, so I avoid those stores. I have gotten lucky where something is just sitting on a shelf (or on the floor) either because it didn’t have a power cord to test it, or because they couldn’t figure out how it works. I’ve found 2 amplifiers that way, they didn’t realize that the selector switch was set for the amp to turn on when it receives a signal. I’ve purchased several high end Denon/Integra/Pioneer Elite units because the power cord was missing and GW doesn’t accept returns anymore. I always keep several cords in my car for that very reason. Sometimes things are just laying there waiting to be picked up because no one knows anything about it. There were a half dozen tennis racquets I picked up last month that sat there a couple days. I finally grabbed them and looked them up and they were selling for around $125 a piece, and they were priced @ $2.99. Most of the time though if it’s a really nice find you have to be there right when it comes out or you’re not getting it. Lots of unemployed ppl are now flipping for some extra $, so it’s a little harder than it was. The stores around me have also been pretty dry the last few weeks. I’ve still found a few nice things, but I was on a serious roll there for a bit.
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Where do you live? Here in Oregon the GWs have a 30 day return policy.
 
48 hours on electronics, and I think clothes because the fitting rooms are closed.

When I bought those Totem Mani's I didn't know how good they were (I don't own a phone) so if they were nothing bring them back and get my money back. Some Totem stuff is not worth a lot of money........

They have a pretty nice Yamaha Surround Receiver out for $80. If it's there late tomorrow I might pick it up on Senior Day for 30% off.
 
E2 said:
48 hours on electronics, and I think clothes because the fitting rooms are closed.

When I bought those Totem Mani's I didn't know how good they were (I don't own a phone) so if they were nothing bring them back and get my money back. Some Totem stuff is not worth a lot of money........

They have a pretty nice Yamaha Surround Receiver out for $80. If it's there late tomorrow I might pick it up on Senior Day for 30% off.
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There's such an abundance of surround receivers that I consider $80 too expensive.

The problem with these things is that they cost the same as what stereo ones used to cost but they pack a kazillion more features. That's gotta hurt the overall audio quality and durability. Unless you're running a full blown HT setup I'd stay away from the surround receivers.

Just my $0.02 of course.
 
E2 said:
Yeah. That ship has sailed. They might push something out, but it's tough. This dead time of year isn't helping. (Another reason why I hate summer :rant:)

I am still pleased with my couple finds from the last month. Just not pleased with how many times I hit the local spot and find nothing........real close though.
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Well, it’s like anything else where a relationship has developed and loyalty on both sides begins to take hold.

It would be a rare person on this thread that doesn’t say “I gotta’ guy for this or for that” whether it be an audio technician, parts, auto mechanic, a house painter, an appliance guy, etc., etc. Hopefully, you get my drift.

There was work upfront to develop these relationships such that people will keep on doing business with one another. I am not saying that it works every time but, in this game, we are all opportunists in some form or fashion and just sometimes it pays off.
 
TheMarco said:
Where do you live? Here in Oregon the GWs have a 30 day return policy.
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Chicagoland area. Refunds used to be 30 days, and that ended January 1st 2020 I believe. Not just electronics either, no returns on anything. Before that returns were allowed for a store credit, which I was completely fine with. Now, with a no returns policy, they can shove it. Sure, I’ll still buy the $5-$25 dollar receivers and speakers they put out, but would you really buy something like this with no way of testing it in store with any real accuracy, with no way of getting your money back if was nothing but a giant turd?
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Now the projector in the box sells for around $250 to $350 used on eBay with a 30 day warranty, and there’s no way of knowing how old the bulb is. Of course, this was yet another case of some jackass putting the old item in the new box, and taking it to goodwill. The projector the box was actually for would normally sell for $1500, so that would be a great deal, and I was actually thinking of paying the $250 (yeah, I know, shut up lol), but then I opened it and it’s like c’mon man!!! Knock it off. If you can’t promise it works, you shouldn’t be asking top dollar for it!!!
 
Snowpuppy2 said:
Chicagoland area. Refunds used to be 30 days, and that ended January 1st 2020 I believe. Not just electronics either, no returns on anything. Before that returns were allowed for a store credit, which I was completely fine with. Now, with a no returns policy, they can shove it. Sure, I’ll still buy the $5-$25 dollar receivers and speakers they put out, but would you really buy something like this with no way of testing it in store with any real accuracy, with no way of getting your money back if was nothing but a giant turd?
View attachment 2310972
Now the projector in the box sells for around $250 to $350 used on eBay with a 30 day warranty, and there’s no way of knowing how old the bulb is. Of course, this was yet another case of some jackass putting the old item in the new box, and taking it to goodwill. The projector the box was actually for would normally sell for $1500, so that would be a great deal, and I was actually thinking of paying the $250 (yeah, I know, shut up lol), but then I opened it and it’s like c’mon man!!! Knock it off. If you can’t promise it works, you shouldn’t be asking top dollar for it!!!
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eBay is great for buyers though. If there's anything wrong with it you just file a dispute :)
For that same reason I'm not interested in selling things there btw.
 
^
It's all about your knowledge as a buyer.

I bought an African Mask today that was very simple in design. But it had age, and looked good to me so I bought it for $7.....I almost never buy masks. I never, ever see good ones. Modern masks that have very little value..

I have bought more Riddell NFL, and College Helmets than African Masks. Two helmets to be exact..........and there are African Mask Helmets. Good luck finding one. And they all are not big money.

Years of digging.
 
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